Why do cats love to lick their fur? What are the benefits of cat licking?

Feb 20,2024
2Min

Cats love to lick their fur because licking their fur can keep their skin clean. Cats are clean animals. Cat licking can also regulate sebum secretion, allowing the cat's scent to spread throughout the body. Cat licking can lower body temperature, improve blood circulation in the skin, and relieve tension.

Keep your skin clean

Cats have many protrusions on their tongues, and licking their fur can remove old hair and knotted hair balls, as well as remove dirt and external parasites from their skin.

Regulate sebum secretion

Cats lick their fur to stimulate the sebaceous glands in their skin and regulate sebum secretion. The secreted sebum has a certain waterproofing effect on the cat's fur and can protect the skin. The secretory glands on a cat's face, the back of its paws, the base of its tail, and around its anus can secrete odor-emitting substances, and the cat needs to lick its fur to spread the odor throughout its body.

Reduce excessive body temperature

Cats have no sweat glands. Licking their fur in summer can evaporate saliva and produce a cooling effect. Lowering body temperature through licking fur is an essential behavioral activity for cats to survive.

Relieve tension

Cat licking can improve blood circulation in the skin and relieve tension. When a cat irritates its owner, the cat will suddenly start licking its fur to relax.

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