Cats are natural predators, so it is often difficult to understand why they do some of the things that they do. Licking a blanket can be one of those puzzling behaviors.
There are many reasons why cats might lick blankets. Some cats may be licking the blanket to get your scent or because they crave your attention. They may also be licking the blanket because it smells like food.
Cats who lick blankets may also have a medical condition that requires them to groom themselves excessively or they could just be bored and looking for something to do.
There are many possible reasons why your cat might be licking your blanket, so let’s take a look at them and see if we can figure out what could be happening.
Below we look at 5 common reasons why your cat is licking your blanket.
Reasons why cats lick blankets
Some of the reasons why your cat might be licking your blanket may be:
1. Your cat licks a blanket to mark her territory
If your cat licks a blanket, she could be trying to mark her territory. If you have a new pet in the house, it could also be that your cat is trying to get used to them and their smell.
2. Your cat licks a blanket to clean it
Cats have a natural instinct to groom themselves and others in the group, so it is possible that your cat is licking your blanket because they are trying to clean it. This could also be an instinctual behavior to hide their scent from predators.
3. Your cat licks a blanket out of curiosity
Cats are known for their curiosity and love of licking things. It is believed that cats have an acquired taste for different textures, so they may lick blankets because it feels different than anything else they can find in the house.
4. Your cat licks a blanket out of stress and anxiety
Sometimes licking a blanket can be a sign of an underlying health issue like stress or anxiety. It’s important then to identify the source that’s causing these issues and try to fix them to bring balance to the cat’s life.
5. Your cat licks a blanket because she’s bored
If your cat licks your blanket it might be a sign that she is bored and try to muse herself by licking a blanket. An easy way to remedy boredom is to provide your cat with a proper dose of playtime and fun activities for example with interactive cat toys.
Is it normal for cats to lick blankets?
It’s normal for cats to lick blankets as long as it is not done compulsively and excessively.
If your cat licks the blanket excessively it could mean that she might be stressed and anxious. This can be caused by a change in environment, such as moving to a new home. It can also be caused by an unpleasant experience such as being scolded or punished for something they did.
Cat licking excessively could be also a sign of boredom and your cat looking for something to do.
Excessive licking of a blanket may lead to unpleasant consequences like creating fur balls in the cat’s stomach.
How to stop cat licking a blanket
Some cats will lick a blanket for hours, which can be very annoying for the owner. The best way to stop this from happening is by giving your cat some toy or a treat that she can lick instead of the blanket.
You can also cover the blanket with something that is not edible or tasty: the cat will be unable to reach it if you cover it with something like aluminum foil or plastic wrap.
Another way to deter your cat from licking the blanket is to spray the blanket with a bitter smell, for example, lemon juice. Cats do not like bitter-smelling substances and will avoid the area where you sprayed them.
Cat licking habits
If your cat keeps licking a blanket she may also have other licking habits. Check the articles below to learn more about different cat licking habits:
Why does my cat lick me then bite me?
Home » Behavior »