I'm trying to understand why our cat licks the fabric or the blanket she's lying on whenever we scratch her back, specifically along her spine. Depending on the spot along her spine, she either licks the fabric gently, or licks more vigorously, or sometimes she just stops. This is the only part of her body that triggers this reaction.
We’ve mentioned it to our vet; he gave her a thorough check-over and there's nothing wrong with her back—no eczema, absolutely nothing. He wasn't able to explain why she does it.
Does anyone have an answer, please? Many thanks.
Kind regards, Philippe (username: Paracom).
Translated from French
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I adopted a 4-and-a-half-year-old female cat just over 2 months ago, and she licks the sofa, blankets, furry toys... I find it so strange!!! Does it actually mean anything?
Thank you Bleu Cati for your reply, it’s really put my mind at rest about my little Isis, who does so much for me, especially in my situation.
Furthermore, thank you on behalf of all the "Red Berets" as well; your words about us are heartening to hear. In return, may our own patron saint, Archangel St Michael, watch over you and your whole family, cats included.
Isis sends her best back to you and your three cats, with big cuddles and positive purrs.
Evening Paracom,
In that case, there’s no doubt about it; it’s definitely hormonal behaviour.
My three cats send their best to Isis and all the ‘Red Berets’ – we’re very proud of our troops over here. SIR, YES SIR!
Hi Blue Cati,
Thank you for your reply and your advice about spaying. As our cat hasn't been spayed yet, we've been giving her "the pill", but plenty of other cat owners have advised me against it and, like you, have suggested getting her spayed instead. Also, since she's never had a litter, we would like her to have one first so she can experience motherhood before we get the operation done. We're currently waiting to find a stud from the same breed line that she gets along with, which isn't easy, but we're not losing hope. After that, we'll get her spayed.
Wishing you a lovely evening, with a big cuddle from our cat, Isis.
Kind regards, Philippe (username: Paracom).
Hi there,
If there aren't any signs of illness, I think it's just a sign of a happy cat. Licking and kneading blankets reminds cats of when they were nursing from their mums, which was a time of great comfort for them as kittens.
However, if she is an unspayed female, stroking her back can trigger heat-like behaviour, even between her 'official' cycles. If you haven't done so already, I really can't recommend getting her spayed enough—for her health, longevity, and peace of mind. Hormones can really take a toll on female cats and often eventually lead to fatal mammary cancer.
