If you’ve ever seen your cat licking their paw or rubbing its ear and wondered what they were up to, you’re not alone. It’s a common behavior for cats, but one that can be difficult to understand.

So, Why do cats lick their paws and rub their ears? It’s a behavior that’s often seen in cats, but it’s not always clear what the reasons behind it are. This behavior helps to keep them clean and healthy, but it also serves another purpose. 

While it’s normal for cats to lick their paws and rub their ears from time to time, excessive grooming can be a sign of underlying health problems. If your cat is excessively licking their paws or rubbing its ears, it’s important to take them to the vet to rule out any potential medical issues.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at why cats lick their paws and rub their ears, and what it means for their health. 

What causes cats to lick their paws and rub their ears? 

There are a few different reasons why cats lick their paws and rub their ears. Let’s see individually:  

1. To keep clean  

Cats are naturally clean animals and they spend a lot of time grooming themselves. Licking their paws and rubbing their ears helps to remove dirt and debris, and keep their fur clean and healthy. 

2. To relieve itchiness 

If your cat is licking their paws and rubbing its ears, it could be a sign that they’re feeling itchy. Allergies, parasites, and other skin conditions can cause itchiness and discomfort, so it’s important to have your cat checked out by a vet if you notice excessive grooming. 

3. To mark their territory 

Cats have scent glands in their paws, and when they lick them, they deposit their scent on whatever they’re touching. Rubbing their ears against objects also helps to spread their scent and mark their territory.

4. To show affection

Cats can also lick their paws and rub their ears as a way of showing affection. If your cat does this when they’re around you, it’s a sign that they love and trust you.

5. It’s a sign of stress or anxiety

In some cases, excessive licking and grooming can be a sign of stress/anxiety. If your cat is licking their paws and rubbing its ears excessively, it’s important to take them to the vet to rule out any potential medical issues.

6. It feels good

Finally, some cats simply enjoy the sensation of licking their paws and rubbing their ears. It feels good to them, and it’s a calming and relaxing behavior.

When might this licking turn into a concern?

If the licking is causing your cat to pull out their fur or causing bald spots, it’s time to take them to the vet. Excessive licking can also lead to raw, irritated skin which can become infected. If you notice any of these signs, it’s important to take your cat to the vet for an examination. 

While excessive licking can be a sign of a medical problem, sometimes it’s simply a case of your cat being a bit too enthusiastic with its grooming. If this is the case, you can try to redirect their attention with toys or puzzle feeders.

What may occur if a cat doesn’t clean its face?

If a cat doesn’t lick their paws and rub its ears, a number of things could occur. For one, the cat could develop an infection in its paws or ears. 

Additionally, the cat could get dirt and debris buildup in their fur, which could lead to mats and knots. 

In extreme cases, the cat could even develop skin problems. All of these issues could be avoided, however, if the cat simply licked their paws and rubbed its ears on a regular basis.

Final Words

Cats lick their paws and rub their ears for a variety of reasons, including keeping them clean, relieving itchiness, marking their territory, showing affection, and because it feels good. While it’s normal for cats to do this from time to time, excessive grooming can be a sign of underlying health problems. If you notice your cat excessively licking its paws or rubbing its ears, it’s important to take them to the vet to rule out any potential medical issues.