What Causes Cats to Smack their Lips?

Has your pet cat ever slapped their lips, and you’ve always wondered why?

Owners are often worried about their cat’s anxiety-based behavior especially if it is accompanied by other symptoms like anorexia, vomiting, weakness and diarrhea.

Some cats slap their lips more than the others. There are also some cats that lick other things around the house like flooring, windows and etc. It’s true that cat lick a lot less than people would think.

It’s not unusual for cats to smack their lips if they’re around people who are under significant amounts of stress and suddenly stop. This could be an indication that they might need some medical attention. Here is some useful information on why cats purse their lips:

How do cats show their affection?

Pet cat is Slapping Her Lips

1. Ptyalism

Indications of your cat drooling excessively can include excessive or continuous lip smacking. This may also be a sign of stress, so it would also be a good idea to learn how to help alleviate some of that.

If she’s doing this now and again but not too often, don’t worry. However, if these are the only signs & symptoms you’re experiencing, then it might be worth checking out.

Do you need a veterinarian because your cat is exhibiting any of these signs? During the winter, pyotracheitis can be caused by other illnesses and conditions so make sure to check your cat’s condition often. They also need special care to recover from the illness quickly.

2. Xerostomia

A different problem can be called xerostomia, or “completely dry mouth,” disorder. The cat might show up pushing out the tongue while licking the lips.

With CKD, older cats may show difficulty in urinating. It is also associated with redness and dryness of the gum tissues, making it a good idea to thoroughly inspect the mouth at the same time

3. Vomiting

Cats often smack their lips after throwing up as a reflex, due to the high volume of drool constantly going in. If your cat has been vomiting constantly, it’s time to take her to the vet. There may be an underlying health issue she needs treatment for.

Sometimes, cats vomit after eating something they shouldn’t have. They might also be trying to throw up a hairball. Numerous other things discussed over, if you have other problems, speak with your vet about the problem

4. Dental Problems

Feline Have Stinky Breath

One more reason for slapping his lips is because of dental condition like having a damaged tooth or there is something stuck in the mouth. You could plan to examine it too. One of the best ways to know about dental health is by screening

5. Stomach Problem

Is something that your cat ate causing it stomach discomfort? This could be a factor in the excessive lip-smacking. If this is the case you might also see a decrease appetite and fatigue.

After being treated for indigestion, your stomach might be more content again.

What You Should Do to Help?

If your feline friend is licking his lips, the first thing you should do would be to take a look at the rest of his body and lifestyle habits to check for any type of medical problems.

Is your cat showing any signs of anxiety? Some cats smack other things as a form of ‘self-massage’, whereas some may have stress or anxiety. Try to evaluate whether the smacking is for self-massage or genuine stress and anxiety.

Based on your mention of anxiety, it sounds like it may be the cause for her refusing to pee outside. You can help this by addressing the problem at its root and giving your cat some healthy and balanced environments to live in.

It is necessary to make sure the reason for kissing lips is a medical issue

The best course of action would be to take your pet to a vet. Maybe you can find out what exactly is going on and when it started happening?

Before an animal is brought in for examination, they will make a close search of the face and mouth. Checking the teeth or gums may be done along with a dentist’s inspection to make sure nothing has been left inside or if there is any major damage to the teeth.

In order to diagnose an illness, the veterinarian will inquire not only about food, but also potential and unusual medical exposure. This may include household chemicals or pollutants that could be present in the home environment.

Last Thoughts

Watch out for any signs of anxiety your cat may be showing. Anxious cat’s can be triggered by other changes to the household, including new pets, food, or sounds. Look at their body language and any potential other factors they might feel anxious about.

It’s important to consider when changing your routine at home that this might cause stress for your pet. To cut down on their anxiety, you may want to make gradual changes to the environment and speak with a pet behaviourist for some tips on dealing with change.

If your cat’s lips are smacking excessively, you should consider having them examined by a professional to diagnose the issue before carrying on with any certain treatment.