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Our cats try to speak to us in a myriad of ways. If you notice your cat trying to lick the air while you’re petting them, it might come off as a strange behavior. After all, what could they possibly be trying to accomplish with this?
In this article, we will explore a few reasons why your cat might be licking the air every time you scratch their back. Let’s decode this feline oddity.
The 6 Reasons Why Cats Lick When Their Back Is Scratched
1. Mutual Grooming
Even though they might not be doing the most fantastic job at it, your cat might be trying to groom you mutually. After all, those back scratches feel awfully good, and they just want to return the favor. Grooming is an essential part of cat socialization and can strengthen bonds.
It’s no wonder that they want to groom their human counterparts. This is one way that they can express their love language. Isn’t it flattering?
2. Scratching an Itch
You might just be really getting to a sweet spot your cat can’t reach. If that spot hasn’t been groomed in a while or is feeling particularly itchy, it could be very relaxing and satisfying for your cat to scratch that itch finally.
If this is the case, your cat might show other signs in body language to say they love the attention. Some of these include purring, bunting, and spinning. If your cat just seems to be enjoying themselves, no intervention is necessary.
3. Skin Condition
In some cases, your cat might have a skin condition. If the area is tender, itchy, or otherwise uncomfortable, it can cause them to lick the air in response. Parasites, allergies, and infections, among others, can make the skin swollen and cause your cat discomfort or even pain.
- Ringworm: Ringworm is an itchy infection on the skin that can cause hair loss and circular skin inflammation.
- Mange: Sarcoptic mange comes from mites and can cause extreme itchiness, rashes, and hair loss. It is highly contagious.
- Fleas: Fleas are a very pesky problem. If you still need to treat your kitty this year, they might be suffering a few bites.
You should visit your vet if you notice any other signs like redness, hair loss, or excessive itching. They can examine the problem area and advise accordingly. If your cat has a skin issue, they might require antibiotics or other treatments.
4. Overstimulation
If your cat is licking the air, it could be that they are starting to feel overstimulated. If you are petting your cat’s back near the tail, this is even more likely, as this is a highly innervated, sensitive spot. It is important to be observant of signs of overstimulation to avoid getting scratched or bitten by your cat.
5. A Reflex
Since cats’ spines are highly innervated, petting their back might trigger neural pathways linked to grooming behaviors, and cats may start licking more as a reflex than a conscious act.
6. Discomfort or Pain
If your cat seems bothered or vocalizes while licking the air, you might be causing a little bit of pain. This can happen for numerous reasons, depending on the location. While it might not be outright pain or an underlying disease, the spot might be tender for one reason or another. This sort of issue is particularly common in older cats. As your cat’s body ages, mobility becomes more of an issue.
If you think your cat is in pain, they should never be ignored. While really simple in most cases, it can be very problematic or even dangerous to let it go unnoticed. It’s not worth the risk.
- Infection
- Inflammation
- Vertebral disk disorders
- Arthritis
- Injury
A cat in pain might shy away from physical contact or avoid being pet. They might also run away or get aggressive when you touch them.
When Concerned, Call the Vet
If your cat just started this behavior, it would be a good idea for you to speak with a vet about it. While getting advice on the Internet is a good idea, the sound advice of a trained professional who personally knows your cat’s medical history is the best.
If you suspect anything is wrong, they will likely schedule you an appointment to come in for evaluation.
If you feel like your cat is sick, don’t hesitate to get them to your veterinarian. If the behavior is new or just started, it can be alarming, to say the least. In this situation, your vet will take a look at potential problems to determine the underlying cause of the change. Sometimes, it might just be a fluke, and your cat is completely well.
In other cases, your cat might have muscle pains, infections, or a physical injury of some sort. If you are petting your cat and they’re licking the air accompanied by any concerning signs, early examination and treatment are advised.
Conclusion
Most of the time, your cat licking when you scratch their back is a harmless habit. They might be acting on an involuntary reflex or just trying to groom you. However, it is important to observe their behavior and avoid overstimulating them. If they vocalize along with the licking, this might be signaling pain or discomfort, and it’s best to get them checked by the vet.
Featured Image Credit: Denis Val, Shutterstock
