If your cat has been licking the wall, this post will show you likely reasons why and what you can do about them.
So, why does my cat lick the wall? Likely reasons why your cat licks the wall are that it is thirsty, it simply likes the feeling or it is a compulsive behavior.
There are actually a number of possible reasons why your cat licks the wall and it might be due to a combination of them. However, there are a number of things you can consider to help figure out the main cause and there are some things you can do about it.
Why does my cat lick the wall?
Below are likely reasons why your cat licks the wall and what would make them more likely.
It likes the feeling
It is likely be the case that your cat simply likes the way the wall feels on its tongue. This would be more likely if your cat has not been doing it excessively and if it also tends to do it at the same time that it is licking itself.
It is also likely that your cat likes the taste of the wall. This would be especially likely if your cat has been licking a spot where food or drink was recently dropped.
Thirst
It might also be the case that your cat has been licking the wall because it is thirsty. This would be more likely if your cat tends to lick the wall when it does not have access to water. In this case, it would help to ensure that your cat has access to water throughout the day.
Diet issues
A possible cause is that there is an issue with your cat’s diet that has been causing your cat to lick things for the nutrients. This would be more likely if your cat has started licking the wall since a change in its diet and if it has been hungry a lot.
Compulsive behavior
It could also be the case that your cat has been doing it due to a compulsive disorder. This would be more likely if your cat has been licking the wall constantly. In this case, the best option would be to take it to a vet for a checkup.
Illness
Another possible cause is that your cat has an illness and it is licking the wall as a way of soothing its tongue and stomach. This would be more likely if your cat has started doing it suddenly and if it has been showing other signs of having an illness such as vomiting a lot. In this case, the best option would be to take your cat to a vet.
Things to consider
Below are some things to consider to help figure out the main cause.
If your cat has always licked the wall
If your cat did not always lick the wall, it would help to consider what else changed when it first started doing it. If your cat started doing it suddenly, it could be due to things such as a change in its diet, illness or something causing it to become anxious.
The timing of when your cat licks the wall
If there is a certain time your cat licks the wall, it would also help to consider what is different about the timing. For example, if your cat tends to do it more when it has not got access to water, it would be more likely that it is doing it due to thirst.
What to do about my cat licking the wall?
Below are some things to consider to help figure out the main cause.
Give it access to water
If it does not currently, it would help to ensure that your cat has access to water throughout the day.
Ensure it is getting the right diet
It would help to make sure that your cat has been getting the right diet since an issue with its diet might have been causing the behavior.
Get help
If your cat has been licking the wall excessively, it would help to take it to a vet for a checkup. By doing so, you should be able to rule out medical causes and to get expert advice tailored towards your particular cat.