Why Do Cats Love to Groom So Much

1 Why Do Cats Love to Groom So Much

So why do cats love grooming so much, to the point the owner fears it eats too much hair and stops it to no avail? Here we tell you why cats like to groom.

Before figuring out why, first know the grooming tool — the cat’s tongue. Owners who’ve raised cats know a cat’s lick is very itchy, because the cat’s tongue has many ‘barbs’, keratin-based papillary projections with hardness similar to human nails.

Most important, the barbs on a cat’s tongue are not solid but hollow, able to collect saliva in the mouth.

Back to grooming: first, cats are very clean creatures, owning such a tongue they naturally groom often. The barbs comb the coat well, cleaning dirt, dandruff, etc.

Second, grooming helps cats dissipate heat. The barbs hold saliva; when grooming, saliva attaches to each hair, bringing a bit of coolness on hot summer days.

Also, cat skin and coat are rich in cholesterol and ergosterol; after ultraviolet light they become vitamin D. Human skin can directly absorb and use vitamin D from sun, but cat skin cannot, so cats must lick their coat to take in vitamin D.

Finally, cats not only lick themselves but love licking other cats; by grooming another cat they strengthen their bond — mutual scent speeds communication and familiarity, and helps reduce stress and friction!

Grooming is a cat’s social and emotional expression from kittenhood; if your cat also likes to lick you, it proves the cat likes you, treating you as a peer or family.

Of course, grooming has bad sides too: when a cat over-grooms it may be under too much stress, like moving, a new pet member, or strangers at home increasing stress.

A fun tidbit: when a cat grooms and loves washing its face, it means it will rain that day.

Actually this has a basis: when air has enough moisture, the cat’s whiskers catch water drops; whiskers are the cat’s tool for balance and distance measurement, and water on them is unbearable, so it frequently washes its face and grooms.

Seeing this, owner, can you relax? As long as it’s not excessive grooming, cat grooming is no big problem; normally let the cat eat cat grass or hairball paste.