Do cats lick their fur just because they like to be clean?

Mar 04,2024
3Min

Cats spend 10%-30% of their waking hours licking their fur. Many people think that cats are keen on licking their fur because they like to be clean, but it turns out that some cats like to be clean, and some cats are sloppy. , this is the same as the majority of shit scrapers. In fact, cats' licking has many functions, take a look below! The first point is cleaning: there are many small protrusions on the cat's tongue, which can act as a comb to keep the fur clean and remove lost hair. Removes dirt and external parasites from fur. ​​​​​​

The second point is to regulate body temperature: clean and fluffy hair plays a thermal insulation role through the air in the hair gaps, which is especially important in the cold winter. On hot summer days, the evaporation of saliva creates a cooling effect, thereby regulating body temperature.

The third point is to regulate sebum secretion: stimulate sebaceous glands through licking, regulate the secretion of sebaceous glands, prevent the skin from getting wet with water, and protect the skin. By licking the fur, the pheromones in the anus, tail root and other parts of the body are spread throughout the body. The sebum secreted by the sebaceous glands can maintain the smell of the pheromones, which is very important for cats' social interaction.

The fourth point is to regulate emotions: Improve skin blood circulation through licking and massage, relieve tension and relax your mood. Can watch

When a cat feels frustrated when being criticized, it will suddenly start licking its fur.

The fifth point to express love: In a multi-cat family, cats who have a good relationship are more likely to lick each other's fur. This is a sign of mutual trust and shows that their relationship is very good. Exchanging scents with each other and cats that emit the same scent get along peacefully because cats identify each other through scent. This is probably because we have similar odors!

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