Why Do Cats Lick Their Fur So Much: Stress Relief, Temperature Regulation, Sebum Distribution, and Preventing Hairballs
Cats licking their fur is a common behavior, almost every cat does it. But have you ever wondered why cats are so enthusiastic about licking their fur? There are actually many secrets behind it. It's not just an instinct to stay clean, but also closely related to the physical and mental health of cats.
Stress Relief: Licking is a Relaxation Mechanism
Licking their fur can help cats release stress and relieve emotions. When cats feel anxious, uneasy or nervous, they will lick their fur to distract themselves and calm down. This behavior is similar to humans' habits like "biting nails" or "turning pens", all of which are ways to release stress and relieve anxiety.
Studies have shown that cats licking their fur release a substance called "endorphins", which can make cats feel happy and reduce stress. Therefore, when cats feel stressed, licking behavior can help them regain calm and gain a sense of self-comfort.
Temperature Regulation: Licking is the Cat's "Air Conditioner"
Cats don't have sweat glands, so they can't regulate their body temperature like humans by sweating. Therefore, licking fur becomes an important way for them to regulate body temperature.
In the summer, cats will lick their fur to evaporate moisture and thus lower their body temperature. Licking can evenly distribute saliva on the fur, and when the saliva evaporates, it will take away heat, making cats feel cool.
In winter, cats will lick their fur to maintain body temperature. Licking can evenly distribute sebaceous secretions on the fur, forming a natural protective layer to prevent heat loss and thus achieve warmth.
Sebum Secretion: Licking Helps Keep Fur Healthy
Cat's skin secretes an oil called "sebum", which can moisturize the fur and prevent it from drying out. Cats licking their fur can help distribute sebum evenly on the fur, thus keeping the fur healthy, shiny and soft.
At the same time, licking can also help cats remove dirt and debris that stick to the fur, keeping the fur clean and reducing the likelihood of bacterial growth.
Excessive Licking: Be Aware of Hairballs
While licking is important for cats, excessive licking can lead to hairballs. Hairballs are hair clumps that cats swallow that form in the digestive tract and cannot be excreted, leading to indigestion, vomiting, and other symptoms.
There are many reasons why cats lick excessively, including stress, anxiety, skin diseases, parasite infections, etc. If you notice your cat licking frequently and the frequency and intensity of licking are higher than usual, observe other symptoms in your cat and consult a veterinarian if necessary.
How to Prevent Hairballs
To prevent hairballs, owners can take the following measures:
Brush your cat regularly: Regular brushing can remove most of the shed hair, reducing the chances of your cat swallowing hair.
Feed catnip or hairball formula: Catnip and hairball formula can help cats remove hairballs. Catnip can stimulate cats to vomit, while hairball formula can lubricate the digestive tract, making it easier for hairballs to pass through.
Provide high-quality cat food: Choose cat food with high digestibility and low ash content to reduce the formation of hairballs.
Keep your cat healthy: Regularly have your cat examined and take measures to prevent skin diseases and parasite infections to reduce the likelihood of excessive licking.
Stress Relief: Licking is a Relaxation Mechanism
Licking their fur can help cats release stress and relieve emotions. When cats feel anxious, uneasy or nervous, they will lick their fur to distract themselves and calm down. This behavior is similar to humans' habits like "biting nails" or "turning pens", all of which are ways to release stress and relieve anxiety.
Studies have shown that cats licking their fur release a substance called "endorphins", which can make cats feel happy and reduce stress. Therefore, when cats feel stressed, licking behavior can help them regain calm and gain a sense of self-comfort.
Temperature Regulation: Licking is the Cat's "Air Conditioner"
Cats don't have sweat glands, so they can't regulate their body temperature like humans by sweating. Therefore, licking fur becomes an important way for them to regulate body temperature.
In the summer, cats will lick their fur to evaporate moisture and thus lower their body temperature. Licking can evenly distribute saliva on the fur, and when the saliva evaporates, it will take away heat, making cats feel cool.
In winter, cats will lick their fur to maintain body temperature. Licking can evenly distribute sebaceous secretions on the fur, forming a natural protective layer to prevent heat loss and thus achieve warmth.
Sebum Secretion: Licking Helps Keep Fur Healthy
Cat's skin secretes an oil called "sebum", which can moisturize the fur and prevent it from drying out. Cats licking their fur can help distribute sebum evenly on the fur, thus keeping the fur healthy, shiny and soft.
At the same time, licking can also help cats remove dirt and debris that stick to the fur, keeping the fur clean and reducing the likelihood of bacterial growth.
Excessive Licking: Be Aware of Hairballs
While licking is important for cats, excessive licking can lead to hairballs. Hairballs are hair clumps that cats swallow that form in the digestive tract and cannot be excreted, leading to indigestion, vomiting, and other symptoms.
There are many reasons why cats lick excessively, including stress, anxiety, skin diseases, parasite infections, etc. If you notice your cat licking frequently and the frequency and intensity of licking are higher than usual, observe other symptoms in your cat and consult a veterinarian if necessary.
How to Prevent Hairballs
To prevent hairballs, owners can take the following measures:
Brush your cat regularly: Regular brushing can remove most of the shed hair, reducing the chances of your cat swallowing hair.
Feed catnip or hairball formula: Catnip and hairball formula can help cats remove hairballs. Catnip can stimulate cats to vomit, while hairball formula can lubricate the digestive tract, making it easier for hairballs to pass through.
Provide high-quality cat food: Choose cat food with high digestibility and low ash content to reduce the formation of hairballs.
Keep your cat healthy: Regularly have your cat examined and take measures to prevent skin diseases and parasite infections to reduce the likelihood of excessive licking.
This article is original, please keep the link when forwarding:https://www.5zo.net/showinfo-4-82018-0.html