Cat keeps licking lips
If you have a cat, you are probably well aware of their tendencies to constantly lick themselves and other objects. For the most part, cats lick because they are grooming. However, they also lick greet animals/humans or to heal wounds. Today we are going to discuss the main reasons your cat keeps licking their lips.
Why does my cat keep licking his lips?
While grooming is usually the cause for licking in cats, this is not the case for cats licking their lips. The main reason a cat keeps licking lips is:
- Water drops or food crumbs
If your cat keeps licking his lips right after eating or drinking, he is most likely just licking up the leftovers from his lips/face. Since cats have fur and whiskers directly surrounding their mouth, it is common for food or water to get stuck on his lips. Therefore, your cat is most likely just finishing up his meal. Imagine if you just ate a big rack of ribs with bbq sauce, and you had fur and whiskers all around your lips. You would most likely be licking your lips too.
- Oral Infection
If your cat is constantly licking his lips, it could be a sign of an oral infection. Your cat could have an infection on its lips, or even inside its gums. Your cat could also have a toothache. If your cat is licking his lips frequently and also drooling a lot, it usually means your cat has some kind of infection or disease. You should also keep an eye out for if your cat is eating the same amount, exercising, or being his normal self. If you realize that your cat is licking his lips a lot and also has other abnormal behavior, we recommend taking your cat to the vet immediately. Some oral infections can be treated with creams or medications, while more severe ones require surgery.
- Itching
Another reason your cat keeps licking his lips is because he has an itch on his lip/chin. This is usually caused by dry dead skin. However, your cat could also have an itch as a result of a mosquito bite or flea infestation. You should try to deter your cat from licking an itch, because it can make the problem worse, inflaming the itchy spot and drying out the skin even more. If your cat keeps licking his lips, you should closely examine the region that he is licking. If you see any sort of inflammation or bump, you should take your cat to the vet. Most of the time, your vet can fix the problem by administering an inflammation anti itch cream. However, your cat may be put on medication if your vet finds parasites on other parts of his skin.
