My cat Gracie, female, 4 yrs or so and spayed, licks and nibbles her forepaws compulsively whenever anyone scratches or even pats her lower back, around her tail. We have her on flea control stuff; she also seems to roll around on the floor like a dog, belly up. What's going on with her? My parents seem to think she's going into heat but I've never seen this behavior in her until recently. Does anyone have any thoughts on what this could possibly be? Thank you.
2006-07-28 14:50:58 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Cats
but when she licks, it's like almost she has to HAS to lick or nibble something. She's the size of Garfield, too; she's a total bowling ball *a fuzzy lovable one though* maybe its a skin thing that she can't reach maybe?
2006-07-28 15:11:53 · update #1
I had a cat that did this once. My guess is that since your kitty is huge, as was mine. that her back is rather itchy and when you scratch it for her she starts grooming her feet because she would rather be grooming her own back.. but she cant reach it. I currently have a cat that's 22 lbs. and he cant reach is own back very well so it's very dry and itchy. so when i scratch his back he just hunkers down on the floor and lets me go to town but he throws his head around and meeps and merps at me. it's too funny. I wouldnt be concerned about your gracie though.
2006-07-28 15:47:24 · answer #1 · answered by a_chatham926 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I didn't really understand your rolling around on her back point, but MY cat does the nibble/lick thing if you scratch in just a certain spot on her back - sometimes. I think it might be a tickle-response or something like it, kind of like when you scratch a dog in a tickle spot and the back leg starts going. If she's just rolling around on her back and enjoying herself, don't worry. She's scratching and being silly, and possibly being ADORABLE for your benefit! If she's 4 years old and isn't spayed, TAKE CARE OF THAT IMMEDIATELY!!!! There's no good reason not to -- heats are very uncomfortable for the female cat, and frustrating, and there are WAY too many kittens/cats without homes who are destroyed to bring more into the world without a very good reason!
2006-07-28 15:22:03 · answer #2 · answered by Shadycat 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My 11 yr old female does the same thing. If you scratch her lower back, she will meow something that sounds like "mama". I always thought it was because she's such a load (about 16lbs) and she can't reach that part to groom and her skin is dry. She rolls on her back and gets stuck and looks like a turtle.
I wouldn't be too concerned. I've seen behavior in cats that would have you rolling on the floor. My 6 are a hoot!
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2006-07-28 15:30:16 · answer #3 · answered by PariahMaterial 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I once got a stray cat spayed that hung around my workplace. A co-worker called me up at home and told me she was in heat. Of course I told her this was impossible, but she was insistent.
Turns out after taking her back, they left an ovary in and she was in heat. She had to go through the operation a second time.
2006-07-28 14:59:58 · answer #4 · answered by Marge Simpson 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds to me like she is grooming and giving herself back scratches. This behavior has also been seen in female cats that are of the age for heat.
2006-07-28 14:55:50 · answer #5 · answered by dzcs1 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds cute! I've seen cats do a number of oddities when scratched on top of their back (right above the tail).
As long as she isn't hurting herself, then it's just her quirks. rolling on her back is more common for cats than folks realize.
Get some videos of her, she might make it on AFV!!
2006-07-28 14:56:36 · answer #6 · answered by Love2Sew 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's perfectly normal. I have a friend that has a male cat and he does it everytime you scratch his back and the base of his tail. I think it feels really good to them. YOu have nothing to worry about. Keep an eye on her and as long as she isn't gnawing her hair and flesh away, then she is a-okay.
2006-07-28 19:56:45 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Lots of cats lick when scratched. One of mine does. My vet was giving him a shot when we first go him and he started doing it. The vet smiled and said "oh we've got a licker". It is like and automatic switch when he is touched on his lower back.
Laying on her back means that she trusts you and wants her belly rubbed/ scratched/ brushed.
I would only worry if there are other signs she is in heat, like incessant crying, while trying to get out.
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2006-07-28 15:30:33 · answer #8 · answered by historydoc 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i do no longer think that that's unusual habit. My cats get in those fights to. Like while i want to puppy her and he or she does not she would be able to chew me. And this cat is a cat we chanced on on our farm. So i chanced on her as nicely. yet my different cat is an entire opposite. yet i do no longer think of you will desire to be too worried. possibly attempt to discover greater recommendations of what you're able to do to calm her down?
2016-10-01 05:16:08 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
When cats get excited it's normal for them to roll over like a dog, plus they love to lick and clean when they are excited.
2006-07-28 14:57:29 · answer #10 · answered by S E 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋