Cats and dogs do their own DIY self-grooming. Although dogs don’t groom themselves as extensively as cats do, self-bathing and grooming is still normal behavior for dogs. Dogs utilize several methods of self-cleaning that may not seem effective to humans. One familiar action is the extremely forceful full-body shake, usually performed by wet or muddy dogs. FYI: A dog’s natural instinct is to shake off the excess water so that the coat will dry more quickly. By shaking, the average dog is actually able to remove about 70 percent of water from her fur in a matter of seconds. A less obvious example is when your dog rolls around in the grass to comb through their fur, or when your dog rolls around on the carpet after playing outside or drags his face along the ground after eating. It really works to rid the fur coat of debris and dead hairs. Nibbling achieves this same effect, and it also stimulates oil glands that help keep skin and hair clean. Whenever you see your dog nibbling at a certain area, it may be because your dog is slightly irritated by debris, and the action takes care of both the problem and the irritation. They don’t wash their hands before dinner or use toilet paper. Sometimes dogs lick in places that make their owner think twice before going in for a doggy kiss. It can seem disgusting to humans, the tongue is a dog’s only way to wipe after going to the bathroom, and it is a behavior usually taught to dogs by their mothers. Thankfully, dog saliva contains antibacterial chemicals that also act as cleaning agents, while always keeping your dog’s mouth (relatively) clean. Dogs do hold themselves to a natural level of cleanliness.
Cats are another story. Most cats spend up to 50 percent of their awake time indulging in some form of grooming. Grooming is learned by copy-cat behavior during kittenhood, and they learn self-bathing by the time they’re weaned. The cat tongue is a built-in brush with tiny spines that are angled backward toward the kitty’s mouth. With this handy tool, cats can rake through their fur, making it shiny and dander-free, and to spread sebum, which also gives them a nice, beautiful coat as they spread the oils around their fur. The tongue can also comb out fleas that have made a home in your cat’s coat. As a nice side benefit, licking the coat helps promote circulation and natural blood flow. Cats wash themselves after eating due to an old survival instinct. Cat are both predators and prey, so after eating their |kill” or the food you have given them, they groom themselves. The purpose is either to not smell like the other animal (their food) or to return to their own smell so that others in their colony or family can recognize them. So, it acts as prey/predator protection. Licking also acts as a cooling mechanism – the saliva evaporates off the fur, so it also regulates their temperature. You might notice your cat grooming a little more in the summer and hanging out in the shade to stay cool. Cats also lick each other for a reason. Cats don’t see as well as they smell, so it’s a group scent or scenting component – that’s how they recognize one another, and so they become identifiable, rather than visually.” So, when cats groom other cats, they’re solidifying their membership in their colony or family unit.
However, a dog and/or cat can overdo self-grooming for several reasons. These are just some of the reasons: (A) Itchy skin, due to allergies, skin parasites like fleas or mites, dry skin, skin infections, or anything else that causes itchiness; (B) Pain or discomfort, such as arthritis, full anal glands, urinary tract infection – leaking;(C)Hunger or thirst. If a pet is excessively licking their owner that can also be their way of telling us they need something. Check if their food or water bowl needs to be refilled; (D)Behavioral causes – anxiety related, separation anxiety;(E)Cognitive dysfunction – some older pets may develop this condition, which is similar to dementia in people; (F) Nausea – the pet maylick (themselves, others, or objects) more often due to increased saliva/drooling or trying to relieve the uncomfortable feeling or bad taste in their mouth. Often, this licking is accompanied by ‘lip smacking’ or other symptoms like a decreased appetite; (G) Dental disease/another issue inside the mouth. A painful tooth or gum disease/gingivitis could cause a pet to lick more. It may be their way of trying to relieve the discomfort or deal with something that feels abnormal, such as a broken tooth.
Check to see if your pet is doing their normal pattern of grooming and licking. If there appears to be an excessive amount, look at the over-groomed area for a possible problem and as needed have your veterinarian look at the skin area.
- YOU and Your Doctor Are Your Medical Team – April 2025 - March 30, 2025
- YOU and Your Doctor Are Your Medical Team – March 2025 - February 27, 2025
- If Our Pets Could Talk – February 2025 - January 30, 2025
