Have you ever seen your cat licking its lips and shaking its head?
It’s a strange behavior, but it’s actually quite normal. If your cat does this, you’re not alone.
In this blog post, we’ll explore the potential causes of this behavior in cats and discuss some solutions to help reduce it. Licking their lips is often a way for cats to interact with their owners.
For instance, if your cat feels anxious or fearful, they may lick their lips as a sign of distress. Additionally, cats can lick their lips when they’re trying to groom themselves or if they’re hungry or thirsty.
Head shaking is usually an indication that something is irritating your cat’s eyes or ears. This could be anything from dirt and dust to an infection or even an allergy.
If your cat is shaking more than usual, take them to the vet right away so they can determine the cause and provide treatment if necessary. There are several ways you can minimize these behaviors in your cat.
Keeping their environment clean and free of dust will help reduce eye and throat irritations. Provide plenty of toys and games to keep them entertained and reduce stress levels too.
Also make sure they have fresh water available at all times so they don’t become dehydrated or experience any nutritional deficiencies. In conclusion, if your cat keeps licking its lips and wagging its head more than normal, it could be due to something physical or emotional bothering them.
You can also help by keeping their house organized and giving them plenty of toys to play with – this will help reduce anxiety levels and make them feel more comfortable in their home environment.
Reasons Why Cats Lick Their Lips and Shake Their Heads
Cats are mysterious and captivating creatures, and their behaviours can often be telling.
Have you ever seen your cat licking its lips or shaking its head? While occasional lip-licking and head-shaking may be normal, frequent or intense episodes could indicate an underlying problem that requires attention.
Cats may lick their lips for a variety of reasons, such as cleaning or moistening their mouth after eating, trying something new, or swallowing something unpleasant. They may also lick their lips in anticipation of food or when they are hungry.
However, if a cat keeps licking its lips repeatedly without any apparent reason, it could be a sign of pain or discomfort due to dental disease, mouth sores, gastrointestinal issues, or other medical conditions. Shaking their heads is another common behaviour in cats.
This could be a reflexive response to loud noises, strong odors, salty or sour tastes, foreign objects in the ears or nose, irritants that cause itching and inflammation, or infections.
Frequent head-shaking accompanied by scratching or rubbing the ears or face could point to an ear disorder such as otitis externa, otitis media, vestibular syndrome, bacteria, fungi, parasites, tumors – all of which require veterinary care to diagnose and treat effectively.
Dental Problems as a Cause for Lip Licking and Head Shaking
If your cat is licking its lips and shaking its head, it could be a sign of an underlying dental issue.
From plaque and tartar buildup leading to periodontal disease, to abscessed teeth and oral tumors, cats can suffer from a range of dental problems. To prevent these conditions, it’s important to provide them with regular dental care, including brushing their teeth, providing them with a balanced diet, and scheduling regular check-ups with your veterinarian.
Untreated dental issues can cause extreme pain and discomfort as well as other health problems for cats. If your cat is drooling excessively or avoiding food, it is essential to get them to the veterinarian for a proper diagnosis and treatment.
Consider your cat’s dental health like a puzzle box: with the right knowledge and care you can help keep their throat clean and free from pain.
Allergies as a Cause for Lip Licking and Head Shaking
It could be a sign of an underlying allergic reaction.
Just like humans, cats can suffer from allergies to certain foods, vitamins, and environmental causes. These allergies can present themselves as skin irritation, redness, and hair loss.
Additionally, cats with food allergies may experience digestive issues such as vomiting, diarrhea, or excessive lip licking. Environmental allergies to dust, pollen, and fabrics can also trigger allergic reactions in cats.
These allergens can cause respiratory problems, itching, and skin irritation. To reduce exposure to allergens in your home environment, it’s important to keep your house clean and dust-free.
Additionally, switching to a hypoallergenic diet may help identify any food intolerances or allergies that your cat may have. Veterinarians may suggest antihistamines, steroids, or immunotherapy to treat allergies in cats.
Neurological Issues as a Cause for Lip Licking and Head Shaking
Although this behaviour may seem harmless, it could be a sign of an underlying medical condition.
Neurological issues such as epilepsy, seizures, brain tumors, vestibular syndrome, and meningitis can all cause cats to exhibit lip licking and head shaking. Epilepsy is a common neurological disorder in cats that can cause them to lick their lips excessively, shake their head, and even collapse.
Epileptic seizures occur when there is abnormal electrical activity in the brain which leads to physical symptoms such as uncontrollable shaking, muscle stiffness, and loss of consciousness. Lip licking and head shaking can occur before, during, and after seizures in cats.
Brain tumors, vestibular syndrome, and meningitis are all medical conditions that can cause similar symptoms to epilepsy in cats. If your cat is exhibiting these signs alongside other concerning behaviours such as confusion or disorientation, you should seek immediate veterinary care.
A proper diagnosis from a veterinary neurologist will help determine the underlying cause and provide ongoing treatment to help manage the symptoms.
Signs to Look Out For When Your Cat Is Exhibiting These Behaviors
It’s important for pet parents to be aware of the signs that their cats may be exhibiting when something is amiss.
If your furry friend is displaying odd habits such as excessive licking of lips, shaking of the head, or other strange behaviours, it’s essential to take note and observe these signals to identify if something is wrong. If your cat drinks more water than usual, this could be a sign of dehydration due to an underlying health condition.
Similarly, if your cat starts losing interest in food or has difficulty swallowing food, it could indicate a dental problem or mouth ulcers. Additionally, pay close attention to any ear scratching or head shaking as this could mean there is something wrong with their ears.
Lastly, if your cat keeps vomiting or regurgitating, this could mean they have ingested something that causes stomach discomfort or gastrointestinal problems. By being attentive and recognizing any unusual signs early on, you can address the problem quickly and ensure that your beloved feline receives the care they need.
How to Diagnose and Treat the Underlying Causes of Lip Licking and Head Shaking in Cats
If so, it is likely that an underlying medical condition is to blame. To ensure your cat’s health and wellbeing, it is important to have them properly diagnosed by a veterinarian. Here’s what you need to know about diagnosing and treating the root causes of lip licking and head shaking in cats.
The first step is to take your pet to the vet for a physical examination. During this visit, the vet may perform various tests such as bloodwork, skin scrapings, or imaging studies like an x-ray or ultrasound. Depending on the results of these tests, the vet may prescribe different medications for your cat.
For instance, if dental issues are causing your cat’s behavior, a dental cleaning or tooth extraction may be recommended. If allergies are at play, allergy testing can help identify the allergen causing the symptoms, and antihistamines or immunotherapy can be prescribed to manage your cat’s allergies.
And if anxiety is triggering their behavior, there are several ways to reduce stress in cats such as providing plenty of playtime and exercise or using pheromone sprays or diffusers. In severe cases medication may also be prescribed by a vet.
Tips on Preventing Future Occurrences of Lip Licking and Head Shaking in Cats
Lip licking and head shaking in cats can be a sign of an underlying health issue. Fortunately, there are some simple steps you can take to help prevent future occurrences of this behavior in your feline friend.
- First, regular grooming is essential. Keeping your cat’s coat clean and well-groomed can help avoid skin irritation and inflammation, which can lead to excessive licking and head shaking. Brushing your cat’s coat every day will remove any loose hair and prevent matting.
- Second, check for fleas and ticks often. Flea bites can cause itching and pain, resulting in obsessive grooming and head shaking. If you spend time outdoors with your cat, make sure to check them for fleas and ticks regularly.
- Third, provide a balanced diet with all the necessary nutrients to maintain their health. A lack of essential nutrients may lead to skin irritation and excessive grooming.
- Fourth, keep your home clean by routinely sweeping it to eliminate dust, mold, and other allergens that can cause skin irritation and excessive licking.
- Lastly, know your cat’s triggers by monitoring their behavior to see if there are any signs that could cause them to start licking or shaking their head. These triggers could be environmental or related to diet or health issues.
Conclusion
To sum up, cats licking their lips and shaking their heads can be indicative of something more serious than just normal behavior.
Anxiety, dental issues, allergies, or neurological disorders may be the cause. To ensure your cat’s health and wellbeing, visit a veterinarian for a proper diagnosis.
Once the source is determined, there are several ways to reduce these behaviors in your feline friend. Keeping their environment clean and free of dust will help with eye and throat irritations.
Make sure they have access to fresh water at all times to avoid dehydration or nutritional deficiencies.
