![\"adult](\"https:\/\/www.walkiesandwhiskers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/adult-brown-cat-stockpack-unsplash-1200x960.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\nTable of Contents<\/h2>\n\n- About a Cat\u2019s Tongue<\/a>\n<\/li>\n
- Reasons Why a Cat Keeps Licking Lips<\/a>\n\n
\n- 1. Grooming or Cleaning<\/a>\n<\/li>\n
- 2. Oral Disease<\/a>\n<\/li>\n
- 3. Your Cat Ate Something Poisonous<\/a>\n<\/li>\n
- 4. Ptyalism, a Saliva Disorder<\/a>\n<\/li>\n
- 5. Nausea<\/a>\n<\/li>\n
- 6. Allergies<\/a>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
- The End of Lip-Licking<\/a>\n<\/li>\n
- FAQs<\/a>\n<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
About a Cat\u2019s Tongue<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Let\u2019s first talk about a cat\u2019s tongue<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\nAnyone who has had a cat lick them will talk about how strange it feels. This is because cat\u2019s have barbed tongues that are designed to comb through their fur and pull meat from bones. These barbs are also called papillae. However, the papillae can also collect other things that aren\u2019t as delicious, such as debris and dirt. Your cat swallows that indigestible material then often brings it back up as a hairball.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some foreign objects, however, are difficult to both swallow and get off the tongue. Others can invade the soft tissues. And sometimes, your cat has disorders that cause oral problems. All of this affects them and could cause a cat to keep licking its lips.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nReasons Why a Cat Keeps Licking Lips<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
If a cat keeps licking lips, it could be either a mild concern or one that requires emergency medical aid. Here are some of the most common causes of cat lip smacking:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1. Grooming or Cleaning<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Anyone with experience in owning a cat knows that these animals lick themselves all the time. In fact, cats may spend over 5 hours a day grooming their bodies. That might sound insane, but cats do love keeping themselves clean.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This also pertains to their mouths. After eating, a cat will lick at the corners of their mouth and wipe their face with their paws.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Consider this the first option. Observe your cat throughout the day and see when they start licking their lips the most. You might find that the lip-licking is a result of fur getting stuck on the tongue or leftover food.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2. Oral Disease<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Older cats are prone to oral diseases, such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Gingivitis \u2013<\/strong> a bacterial condition that causing swelling and irritation along the gums.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Periodontitis<\/strong> \u2013 a more advanced and severe case of gingivitis that may cause an abscess to form.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Tooth resorption <\/strong>\u2013 a condition that causes tooth loss. 30-70% of house cats suffer from this, and there is currently no known cause.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Oral tumors<\/strong> \u2013 can develop anywhere in the mouth and cause discomfort. Your cat may lick its lips because of the pain caused by the tumor.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Some cats can also have dry mouth, canker sores, or oral ulcers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Think your cat keeps lip-licking because of oral problems? Schedule a visit with the vet. Once the vet has checked out your cat\u2019s dental health, they should tell you how to begin a tooth-brushing routine for your cat. Another possibility is dental surgery, depending on the extent of the oral disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To stay ahead of such issues, it\u2019s important that you are proactive about your cat\u2019s dental health. Dry kibble is great for cleaning their teeth, but if your cat doesn\u2019t like dry food, you should brush their teeth regularly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
3. Your Cat Ate Something Poisonous<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
When a cat eats something toxic, like Golden Pothos, their mouths immediately react. You might see this behavior and even think, \u201cWhy does my cat keep licking his lips and shaking his head?\u201d Well, it\u2019s a sign that the toxic crystals in the plant are beginning to irritate the soft tissues in your cat\u2019s mouth. That, or they tried to lick something unsavory and are beginning to salivate excessively and feel nauseous.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some plants, like peace lilies, philodendrons, and pothos<\/a><\/strong>, are some of the most toxic houseplants for cats<\/a> around. Make sure that these plants are not within reach if you do have them. Should you notice leaves on the toxic plant are damaged and that your cat keeps licking lips, call the vet.<\/p>\n\n\n\nOther symptoms include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Diarrhea<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Breathing difficulties<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Vomiting<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Salivation<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Refusing food and water<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Coma<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
![\"Cat](\"https:\/\/www.walkiesandwhiskers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/cat-tongue-stockpack-unsplash-1200x675.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n4. Ptyalism, a Saliva Disorder<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- 1. Grooming or Cleaning<\/a>\n<\/li>\n
- 2. Oral Disease<\/a>\n<\/li>\n
- 3. Your Cat Ate Something Poisonous<\/a>\n<\/li>\n
- 4. Ptyalism, a Saliva Disorder<\/a>\n<\/li>\n
- 5. Nausea<\/a>\n<\/li>\n
- 6. Allergies<\/a>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
- The End of Lip-Licking<\/a>\n<\/li>\n
- FAQs<\/a>\n<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nAbout a Cat\u2019s Tongue<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Let\u2019s first talk about a cat\u2019s tongue<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Anyone who has had a cat lick them will talk about how strange it feels. This is because cat\u2019s have barbed tongues that are designed to comb through their fur and pull meat from bones. These barbs are also called papillae. However, the papillae can also collect other things that aren\u2019t as delicious, such as debris and dirt. Your cat swallows that indigestible material then often brings it back up as a hairball.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some foreign objects, however, are difficult to both swallow and get off the tongue. Others can invade the soft tissues. And sometimes, your cat has disorders that cause oral problems. All of this affects them and could cause a cat to keep licking its lips.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nReasons Why a Cat Keeps Licking Lips<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
If a cat keeps licking lips, it could be either a mild concern or one that requires emergency medical aid. Here are some of the most common causes of cat lip smacking:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1. Grooming or Cleaning<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Anyone with experience in owning a cat knows that these animals lick themselves all the time. In fact, cats may spend over 5 hours a day grooming their bodies. That might sound insane, but cats do love keeping themselves clean.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This also pertains to their mouths. After eating, a cat will lick at the corners of their mouth and wipe their face with their paws.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Consider this the first option. Observe your cat throughout the day and see when they start licking their lips the most. You might find that the lip-licking is a result of fur getting stuck on the tongue or leftover food.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2. Oral Disease<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Older cats are prone to oral diseases, such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Gingivitis \u2013<\/strong> a bacterial condition that causing swelling and irritation along the gums.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Periodontitis<\/strong> \u2013 a more advanced and severe case of gingivitis that may cause an abscess to form.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Tooth resorption <\/strong>\u2013 a condition that causes tooth loss. 30-70% of house cats suffer from this, and there is currently no known cause.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Oral tumors<\/strong> \u2013 can develop anywhere in the mouth and cause discomfort. Your cat may lick its lips because of the pain caused by the tumor.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Some cats can also have dry mouth, canker sores, or oral ulcers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Think your cat keeps lip-licking because of oral problems? Schedule a visit with the vet. Once the vet has checked out your cat\u2019s dental health, they should tell you how to begin a tooth-brushing routine for your cat. Another possibility is dental surgery, depending on the extent of the oral disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To stay ahead of such issues, it\u2019s important that you are proactive about your cat\u2019s dental health. Dry kibble is great for cleaning their teeth, but if your cat doesn\u2019t like dry food, you should brush their teeth regularly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
3. Your Cat Ate Something Poisonous<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
When a cat eats something toxic, like Golden Pothos, their mouths immediately react. You might see this behavior and even think, \u201cWhy does my cat keep licking his lips and shaking his head?\u201d Well, it\u2019s a sign that the toxic crystals in the plant are beginning to irritate the soft tissues in your cat\u2019s mouth. That, or they tried to lick something unsavory and are beginning to salivate excessively and feel nauseous.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some plants, like peace lilies, philodendrons, and pothos<\/a><\/strong>, are some of the most toxic houseplants for cats<\/a> around. Make sure that these plants are not within reach if you do have them. Should you notice leaves on the toxic plant are damaged and that your cat keeps licking lips, call the vet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Other symptoms include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Diarrhea<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Breathing difficulties<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Vomiting<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Salivation<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Refusing food and water<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Coma<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
4. Ptyalism, a Saliva Disorder<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
- Periodontitis<\/strong> \u2013 a more advanced and severe case of gingivitis that may cause an abscess to form.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- 2. Oral Disease<\/a>\n<\/li>\n