Why Cats Licking Everything? Pica, Stress & Nausea

Key Takeaways: Weird Licking Habits

The Nausea Signal: Sudden licking of floors, walls, or the air often indicates stomach pain or nausea, not just weird behavior.
Pica Warning: If they are swallowing items (plastic, fabric), this is Pica. It causes fatal intestinal blockages.
Wool Sucking: Licking clothes or fabric is often a self-soothing mechanism linked to anxiety or early weaning.
Scent Marking: Licking you or your furniture creates a “group scent” to make them feel safe.
When to See a Vet: If the behavior happens all of a sudden, causes hair loss, or involves ingestion.

1. Is It Normal? Excessive Licking vs. Pica

To understand the risk, you must distinguish between two behaviors:

Exploratory Licking: The cat licks the texture but does not swallow. This is often stress, boredom, or nausea.
Pica (Consuming): The cat actually chews and swallows non-food items (plastic, wool). This is a medical emergency.

2. Sudden Licking: The Medical Causes

If the behavior appeared overnight, it is rarely boredom.

Nausea (The Hidden Cause)

Excessive licking of floors, carpets, or lips is a classic symptom of nausea. Your cat may be suffering from:

Pancreatitis
IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease)
Kidney Disease (nausea from toxin buildup)

Nutritional Deficiency (Anemia)

Licking concrete, dirt, or cat litter (eating clay) can indicate Anemia or a mineral deficiency. This requires a blood test immediately.

3. Why Lick Fabric & Clothes? (Wool Sucking)

Why does my cat lick my blanket or shirt?

Early Weaning

Cats separated from their mothers too early often retain nursing behaviors. Licking soft textures (fleece, wool) provides comfort, similar to a security blanket.

Salty Sweat Attraction

Why does my cat lick dirty clothes? It’s the salt. Dried sweat on gym clothes is a savory treat for cats.

4. Why Lick Plastic? (Texture & Sound)

Why does my cat lick plastic bags?

Texture/Sound: The crinkly sound mimics prey rustling in leaves.
Animal Fat: Many plastic bags are made with “slip agents” derived from animal fat (stearic acid), which cats can taste.

⚠️ DANGER: Intestinal Blockage
If your cat chews or swallows the plastic, this is Pica. Plastic does not digest. It can cause a fatal blockage requiring surgery.

How to Stop It?

Management involves a three-pronged approach:

Vet Check: Rule out Nausea and Anemia first.
Remove Access: Hide plastic bags and dirty laundry.
Enrichment: If it is boredom, introduce food puzzles or “cat grass” to give them something safe to chew.