Why Does My Cat Lick When I Scratch in Front of Her Tail?

Cats are smart, and they know exactly what we do when we scratch in front of their tail. If you’re a cat owner, you may have noticed your cat licking when you rub her in the wrong spot.

Cats lick for a reason. Sure, it may sound weird, but if you keep scratching your cat’s tail, you’re doing more harm than good.

In fact, your cat is most likely licking your scratches out of habit—she’s been licking you for her entire life. Learn why cats do what they do, and the best ways to prevent a similar situation from happening in the future.

5 Reasons Why your cat licks when scratched

her/ him

1. If you are scratching the base of their tail…

In most cases, a scratch near the base of the tail will elicit interesting reactions from most cats. It’s not uncommon for them to arch their backs, pull up their tails, close their eyes, and lick you quite a lot when you do this to them.

This behavior may be due to a variety of factors:

• During grooming, it is tough for the cats to access this area.
• Soothes a probable itch that they may be experiencing
• In order to communicate with other cats and leave their smell, cats use a gland called the “supracaudal gland.”
• Cats enjoy being scratched, but this particular location seems to be their favorite.

2. If you are scratching their back along the spine…

Cats who are overweight or otherwise unable to move freely are more likely to experience this problem. Overweight cats may have difficulties licking themselves clean across the line that runs along the spine, despite their meticulous grooming habits.

Cats who live together tend to help each other groom each other, therefore this area tends to be neglected. As a result, if you scratch them in this region on a regular basis, the cat may start licking you out of instinct.

They see it as a way of grooming you so that you may return the favor by grooming them.

3. If you are scratching the side of their face…

Another part of their face that the tongue can’t reach is the lateral aspect. Because your cat has no other cats to groom it, it relies on you.

Because of this, when you lick them on the cheeks, they’ll do the same for you. It’s not uncommon for cats to lick your hand if you touch or scratch them on the side of the face.

4. They don’t like you scratching them

It’s understandable if they find your scratching irritating and want you to stop. They start licking you to get you to stop scratching.

5. They want to play

You scratched your cat, and all of a sudden, it started licking you, biting you, then licking you some more.

Cats frequently do this when they are unable to determine whether to play or express love because they have too much energy.

6. Sign of respect

When scratched, a cat licks its lips to show you’re in authority and that you’re in charge of everything. This is a common licking behavior among dogs as well. Your cat may not only be showing that they appreciate spending time with you, but they may also be showing that they sincerely admire you.

7. Your cat thinks you’re yummy

There’s nothing wrong with the fact that your cat’s mouth is always on your skin while you’re scratching his back, as long as he has easy access to you.

For example, it may be the natural salty flavor of your perspiration, or a residue of sauce after a day in the kitchen. Whatever the case may be, your cat is most likely chowing down on it because he thinks it tastes great.

8. An attitude of gratitude

When your cat immediately licks after being scratched, it may be a sign that he appreciates the attention you’re giving him and wants to reciprocate.

When you take the time to relax and scratch your cat, he wants to do the same for you in a loving and respectful way. It’s obvious that your cat is appreciative of your presence.

Other reasons why your cat might be licking you

In addition to thinking that your scratching and petting is part of reciprocal grooming, here are some more reasons why your cat licks you.

As a rule, cats want to be left alone. For this reason, when you come close to them and stroke or touch them, they tend to lick at you.

Exchanging odors

The sense of smell in cats is exceptionally acute. Personal fragrances are a method for them to connect with you, and they know yours. As a result, when you pet them, they will lick you in order to leave their fragrance on your skin.

Cleaning you up

Cats are quite meticulous when it comes to grooming and cleanliness. You are clearly in violation of their sanitary requirements. Then they try to clean you up by licking you, because they are someone who should know better.

Protecting you from predators

After a meal, cats do an excellent job of tidying up. Other predators won’t be able to smell what they ate, so they won’t attack them. As a result, it’s possible that your pet may lick you clean in attempt to keep you safe.

Mutual affection

Cats have a reputation for being cold and uninterested in their human companions. In their own feline way, they are concerned about you.

When you’re anxious or just feeling sad, have you ever noticed how easy it is to unintentionally scratch your cat?

Your cat will lick you to cheer you up if you’re feeling down. This is also the reason why some cats would seek out and sit with their ailing owners.

Finally, keep in mind that cats will only lick those they adore. So if your cat is licking you, it means that they love and appreciate you.

When is licking a problem?

When loneliness or worry are the source of one’s licking, it might become problematic.

Cats’ typical habit of licking one another is a way for them to form social relationships. The moment you scratch them, their loneliness is immediately alleviated, and they immediately begin to play and lick you. Basically, they just want some attention.

If you’re too busy to spend quality time with your pet, then he or she will be lonely and will require some additional time to bond with you. Petting and scratching your pet might reassure them that you care about them.

Cats may over-groom you as a kind of self-medicating in times of stress and worry. They lick you in an attempt to feel better about themselves.

A variety of factors contribute to this anxiety, including relocating, moving furniture, meeting a new roommate, or going on a diet change.

Look for changes in your cat’s behavior to determine what may have provoked his or her fear, so that it may be reduced or prevented.

Cats’ anxiousness causes them to lick themselves excessively. There’s a chance they’ll attempt to lick themselves so hard that they get bald.

Other obsessive behaviors include furiously sucking and licking any cloth, plastic, or even your own skin.

A veterinarian can help you calm down your cat and get it back to being healthy and happy.

How much licking should be considered excessive?

Because even if you think it charming, it’s amazing! However, excessive licking might be a warning sign. It might be a sign of something more serious to come.

But what is the actual limit of what is considered excessive? And when should you be on the lookout for signs of a problem?

When your cat licks you for more than 30 minutes, it should be regarded a red flag. It doesn’t matter how much you adore your cat, getting kissed for lengthy periods of time may be too much for you, as well.

If the cat is licking itself more than usual, it may exhibit the same excessive behavior. A cat’s thinning coat or bald patches are two telltale signs of this.

If this is allowed to go on for an extended period of time, the cat may develop irritated, bleeding, or infected areas of skin.

There are three possible causes of this issue.

Parasites, skin allergies, or even worry can cause these reactions. Because of the itching and strange sensations that can be caused by parasites and skin allergies, cats may lick themselves to alleviate the discomfort.

Anxiety can lead to obsessive behavior, such as licking one’s own face constantly. The best course of action is to seek the advice of a veterinarian, who may prescribe a therapy for dogs.

How does it feel when a cat licks you?

The sensation of being licked by a cat isn’t exactly pleasant. Cats’ tongues are rough and spiky, with a spiky surface. Boar brush bristles come to mind.

The backward-facing taste buds, known as papillae, are responsible for the bristle-like structure of the tongue. When they consume, their papillae allow them to entirely separate the meat from the bones.

Helps them clean their fur and eliminate any food or dirt from it, as well.

In the same way as cats’ claws are comprised of tissue, papillae are made of tissue as well. Humans’ tongues are rough to the touch because of this.

The papillae are also called as barbs, and this is correct. Repeated licking from a cat might potentially be painful.

Conclusion

If you want to know why your cat likes licking when you scratch her tail, you can either ask your vet or take a look at the anatomy of cats.

The cat has two glands located on either side of her tail, which secrete an oily substance called sebaceous gland secretions.

When you scratch your cat’s tail, it stimulates these glands to produce sebum, which causes her to groom herself to remove this excess oil. This is why your cat licks.

source https://catshint.com/why-does-my-cat-lick-when-i-scratch-in-front-of-her-tail/