Cats communicate in various different ways using body language, but what does a cat licking their lips mean?
Cats licking their lips can communicate a number of different things. Some of these things are completely harmless and others are a sign of more serious health issues. It’s important to understand what to look out for to ensure you cat remains healthy.
In this post we going to look at the reasons why cats lick their lips.
Things To Know About A Cat Licking
Cats Tongue
Cats have papillae on their tongue which are tiny backward-facing bits which look like hooks and have sand-paper like texture. These papillae are designed for various different unctions such as pulling meat off bones and grooming.
Over time, loose hair, dirt, and debris will build up on the tongue which will eventually turn into hairballs in their stomach.
Cat Licking Their Lips Now And Again
Before we go into the reasons why cats lick their lips, it’s important to note that a cat licking their lips is a natural habit and you shouldn’t worry too much. Although it can be a sign of further complications, it’s generally just something that a cat does on a daily basis which comes from their natural instincts of a hunter.
Reasons Why Cats Lick Their Lips
#1 Ptyalism
Ptyalism is a disorder where excessive saliva builds up in the mouth and is too much for the mouth to handle which causes your cat to keep licking their lips. Ptyalism can increase over time which can be triggered by other health issues such as kidney related issues.
If your cat has Ptyalism then this can also cause nausea. So after recognising all of these issues, if you feel your cat may have this then it is best to seek the advice of a veterinarian.
#2 Oral Disease
One of the most common reasons why cats lick their lips is to clean them after eating a meal. If you notice that they do this frequently even when food isn’t involved, this may be due to an issue with their gums or teeth.
Older cats are usually more prone to oral health issues but it can happen at any age depending on how well the teeth are looked after. Let’s take a look at some of the issues:
Oral ulcers or canker sores
Ulcers develop from dental disease, oral infections, and systemic infections such as ingestion from caustic substances or kidney disease. They can painful and cause excessive swallowing, drooling, and lip licking.
Plaque and Tartar
Over time your cat may develop a build-up of Plaque and Tartar which can irritate your cat and cause discomfort which can result in lip licking. It starts off as Plaque which is a thin film over the teeth which builds up due to food particles, bacteria, and saliva.
If Plaque is not removed regularly then it will eventually turn into hard tartar. This is why it is important that your cat get’s their teeth professionally cleaned and that you also have a regular dental hygiene routine at home.
#3 Dry Throat Or Mouth
If you notice your cat is constantly swallowing and licking their lips, this may be because of a dry throat or mouth that could be caused by hairballs. Cats spend a big percentage of their times grooming themselves because they are super-clean creatures.
The problem with this is that fur, dirt, and other debris builds up on on their tongue over time which eventually turns into hairballs. Xerostomia which is defined as dry mouth resulting from reduced or absent saliva flow. It is also connected with renal disease in senior cats and dehydration and fever in younger cats.
One of the best products available on the market for hairballs is Cat Lax which is recommended by the PDSA.
#4 A Cat Licking His Lips Might Be Nauseous
A cat constantly swallowing and licking their lips may be a sign of Nausea. Other signs of Nausea are retching, drooling, restlessness, and heavy breathing.
Here are some of the things that can cause nausea:
- Infection
- Hairballs
- Stress
- Food allergy
- Poisoning
- Medication
#5 Something Tastes Funny / Foreign Body
A cat may constantly lick their lips because they have licked a surface or something in the home that may contain dirt, soap, or cleaning chemicals. Licking something that has a funny taste will cause your cat to constantly smack their lips.
Another common cause may be if your cat has licked something and got it caught in their mouth. As mentioned earlier, the papillae on a cats tongue are like tiny little hooks. Once foreign objects get caught up in their, they find it difficult to spit it out.
#6 A Cat Licking Their Lips May Have Anxiety
Constant lip licking may be a sign that your cat is feeling nervous. If you notice other body language such as the tail wrapped around their body or crouching, then this will back up the case of anxiety even further.
There are a number of different things which can trigger a cats anxiety such as:
- Change to routine
- Change to environment
- Moving home
- A new person in the family such as a baby
- A new pet such as a dog or even another cat
- Separation anxiety
#7 Feline Upper Respiratory Infection
Feline upper respiratory infection is similar to a cold, but can be more serious. It is caused by either bacteria or viruses that target the throat, nose, and sinuses. Due to this targeting the upper airway, it can be irritating and can trigger excessive lip licking.
Symptoms of upper respiratory symptoms are:
- Cough
- Sneezing
- Runny nose
- Fever
- Congestion
- Drooling
- Loss of appetite
- Ulcers
- Depression
- Lethargy
#8 Allergy
Cats, just like humans are also susceptible to micro-organisms entering their respiratory system. This can cause an allergy which can trigger your cat to constantly lick their lips due to irritation or stress.
Some of the causes of this are:
- Grass (hay-fever)
- Pollen
- Dust-mites
- Animal dander
If your cat has an allergy, as well as smacking their lips, some other signs to look out for are inflammation, breathing difficulties, skin irritation, dermatitis.
#9 Compulsive Disorders
Believe it or not, cats can have obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). This can cause your cat to engage in repetitive rituals that serve no purpose such as excessively licking their lips for no reason.
Some other signs of obsessive-compulsive disorder may include:
- Excessive grooming
- Sucking and chewing
- hunting and pouncing at invisible prey
- tail chasing
- Pacing
- Constant meowing
What to Do About a Cat Licking His Lips
Although a cat licking their lips is completely normal behavior, it’s important to look out for other issues that may be causing this behavior. If your notice your cat is constantly lip smacking, here are two important factors to consider:
- Evaluate their behavior: Is the lip licking a sign of change or something in the environment which has caused your cat to become anxious, nervous, or fearful? If this is the case then the solution is very easy. Anything in the environment or normal routine that has recently changed should be changed back to normal.
- Medical issues: If you have read through this guide then you will notice that your cat will also show other signs and symptoms alongside the lip licking if there are any underlying health issues. If your cat is showing other symptoms then it’s best to book an appointment with a veterinarian to be on the safe-side.
Conclusion
In most cases, a cat licking their lips is completely harmless and something they do on a daily basis after eating their favorite meals. Just always be aware of excessive licking that can caused by underlying health issues.
