Seeing your beloved cat carefully lick their blanket can be both sweet and also puzzling, sometimes even make you a bit worried as a caring pet parent.
We’re here to help you understand this common thing cats do, helping you know if it’s just a harmless habit or a sign your cat might need extra care for their health and happiness.
The Many Reasons Your Cat Licks Blankets
That simple act of blanket licking can happen for many reasons. Some are perfectly normal, while others might mean you need to pay a bit more attention. We’ve looked at what vets say to bring you the common reasons for this behavior.
1. Echoes of Kittenhood Nursing Instincts
For many cats, especially if they were separated from their mother too soon (before 8 to 12 weeks old), blanket licking can be a leftover nursing habit.
The soft, warm blanket might remind them of their mom, and sucking is a strong natural habit. Some cat types, like Siamese or Burmese, might do this more, maybe because it runs in their family.
2. A Way to Self Soothe and Relieve Stress
Did you know licking helps cats relax? When they lick, it releases natural body chemicals that make them feel calm and good.
So, your cat might lick a blanket when they’re already relaxed, or they might do it to calm down if they’re a bit stressed or worried. It’s their natural way to cope.
3. Sheer Love of Textures and Familiar Scents
Cats learn about the world a lot through touch and taste. Certain feelings, especially soft or fuzzy ones, can be very nice for them, perhaps feeling like their mother’s fur.
Blankets also pick up familiar smells, like yours or other pets. These smells can be very comforting or make them want to rub their scent on it.
4. Marking Their Territory Softly
Licking is also a quiet way for your cat to leave their smell and mark something as theirs. You might see this more on things that already smell like you. This is a normal way cats communicate and feel safe in their home.
5. Seeking Your Attention Perhaps
Cats are smart animals and quickly learn what gets a reaction from you. If licking a blanket makes you look or talk to them, they might start doing it to get your attention.
Think about if this happens mostly when you’re around and if it seems like they’re asking for playtime or cuddles.
6. A Sign of Boredom or Needing More Play
Sometimes, if a cat’s home isn’t very exciting, especially for indoor cats, they might start repetitive behaviors like blanket licking because they’re bored.
Without enough ways to use their mind and body, it can become a habit. Plenty of playtime and interesting things can help.
7. An Indication of Underlying Anxiety
If the blanket licking is very strong, happens all the time, or they can’t seem to stop, it could be a sign your cat is feeling stressed or worried.
Changes at home, a new pet, moving, or not feeling like they have enough resources can cause this as a way to deal with worry. Sometimes the cause of stress isn’t obvious to us.
8. Could It Be Pica A Sign of Ingesting Non Food Items
While many cats just lick or suckle, if your cat is actually eating pieces of the blanket or other things that aren’t food, like plastic or string, this could be a condition called pica.
Pica means eating things that aren’t food, and it always needs a vet check up. It can be caused by stomach or gut problems, not getting enough of certain nutrients from their food (like not enough iron, which can make them weak), or even dental pain.
Feeling very stressed or having a problem where they feel they have to do it can also lead to pica.
Spotting When Blanket Licking Might Be a Worry
Most of the time, a little blanket licking is nothing to worry about. But how do you know when it’s becoming something you should look into? Here are some signs.
1. Is the Licking Excessive or Hard to Stop
If the licking happens much more often, is much stronger than usual, or goes on for very long times, it’s worth noting. If your cat is so focused on licking that it’s hard to get their attention, that’s another signal.
2. Are You Noticing Missing Blanket Pieces
Look closely at the blanket your cat licks. Are there new holes, frayed edges, or pieces missing? This is a big clue that your cat might be chewing and eating the material, which is a clear sign of pica.
3. Have You Found Fibers in Vomit or Stool
This is a sure sign they are eating things they shouldn’t. Finding fabric, plastic, or other non food bits in your cat’s vomit or poop means they are swallowing these items.
4. Is Your Cat Showing Signs of Tummy Upset
Vomiting often, diarrhea, constipation (trouble pooping), straining to poop, or signs of belly pain can all be red flags. These could mean a blockage in their stomach or guts from something they ate.
5. Does Your Cat Seem Unwell in Other Ways
Watch for general signs of illness that might appear with the licking.
Things like being very tired or having much less energy, sleeping more, big changes in eating or drinking, losing weight for no reason, or sudden behavior changes like hiding more or being grumpy when they usually aren’t, can all point to a health problem.
If you see these, it’s time for a chat with your vet.
How Your Cat’s Age Can Influence Blanket Licking
Just like people, a cat’s age can affect their behavior, including why they might lick blankets. What’s normal for a kitten might mean something different for an adult or older cat.
1. Kittens Exploring and Comfort Seeking
Blanket sucking is pretty common in young kittens, especially if they were orphaned or taken from their mom too early (ideally around 8 to 12 weeks). It’s a comforting action that feels like nursing.
Many kittens will naturally stop this by the time they are one or two years old. One study found that while about 43% of kittens showed signs of pica (eating non food things) at 6 months old, this happened less as they got older.
Kittens also explore with their mouths, so some licking is part of their way of learning about things.
2. Adult Cats Stress or Developing Habits
If your adult cat suddenly starts licking blankets, or an old kitten habit gets stronger or happens more, it could be a reaction to stress, boredom, or even the start of a medical problem.
Changes in the home, not enough play, or feeling worried can trigger it. Sometimes, issues like stomach problems, dental disease, or allergies can show up as new licking habits.
If an adult cat who didn’t suckle before suddenly starts, they should see a vet.
3. Senior Cats Pain or Cognitive Changes
Our older cats, usually older than 7 to 10 years, can become more sensitive to changes, which might increase worry and licking.
Pain that lasts a long time is also common in older cats, often from a joint problem called arthritis that makes it painful to move. It’s thought that up to 90% of cats over 12 show signs of arthritis on an X ray.
They might lick sore joints or groom too much due to pain. Another thing in older cats is a condition like memory loss, sometimes called cat dementia, which can cause behavior changes including too much licking.
Any new or much stronger licking in your senior cat is a good reason for a vet visit, as it could be a sign of these or other health problems common in older cats.
Vet Approved Advice for Managing Blanket Licking
If your cat’s blanket licking worries you, or if it’s damaging things, don’t worry, there are many simple steps you can take. The idea is to find out why they’re licking and give your cat better things to do.
1. Create a Calming and Stimulating Home Oasis
A happy cat is often a well behaved cat. Make sure your home is a safe and happy place by providing plenty of resources, especially if you have more than one cat.
This means separate food and water bowls for each cat, several easy to reach litter boxes (usually one per cat plus one extra), comfy resting spots, and high places like cat trees.
Help prevent boredom with fun toys that you change often, scratching posts, puzzle feeders (toys that dispense food), and window spots for watching outside.
2. Offer Safe and Appealing Alternatives
If your cat is very focused on one blanket, try putting it out of reach for a while. Then, offer some great new options. Safe chew toys for cats can be a good choice. Lick mats are also great.
These are flat mats, often made of silicone, with bumpy surfaces where you can spread a bit of wet cat food or a cat safe paste. This gives them a good way for them to lick.
3. Consider Dietary Adjustments with Your Vet
Especially if you think your cat has pica (eating non food things), their diet is very important. Your vet can help make sure your cat’s food has all the nutrients they need.
Sometimes, not getting the right nutrients can lead to pica. For example, adding more fiber to their food can help cats feel fuller and might make them less likely to eat non food items.
Your vet might suggest specific food additions or even a special medical diet if tests show they are needed.
4. Use Positive Redirection Techniques
When you see your cat starting to lick or chew something they shouldn’t, calmly interrupt them. Then, immediately get them interested in something else positive, like a favorite toy, a puzzle feeder, or a short play session.
If it seems like the licking is just for attention, try giving them lots of attention at other times for good behaviors.
And remember, punishment is not a good idea because it usually makes cats more stressed and can make the problem worse.
5. Choose Blanket Materials Wisely
If your cat gently licks or suckles but doesn’t eat fabric, softer blankets might be okay. For cats that might eat fabric, this is harder because no fabric is completely safe if eaten.
Blankets with a tight weave might be better than loose ones. You’ll want to avoid wool if that’s what your cat tries to eat, as it’s often swallowed.
If you give a blanket to a cat known to eat fabric, always watch them closely, and talk to your vet about safe options first.
6. Explore Calming Pheromones or Supplements After a Vet Chat
For cats whose licking is caused by stress or worry, products that copy cat calming smells, like Feliway, can help. These come as plug in diffusers or sprays.
There are also calming supplements with special ingredients. But it’s very important to talk to your vet before trying any new supplement or calming product.
Your vet can tell you what’s safest and most likely to help your cat. For very strong worry or behaviors they can’t control, your vet might even talk about medicines.
Final Thoughts
Your cat’s blanket licking can be a harmless habit, or it can be a sign they need some extra help and maybe a visit to the vet.
By understanding the possible reasons and knowing what to watch for, you can make sure this behavior doesn’t harm your furry friend’s health or happiness.
