This is why cats groom themselves after eating.

After you've finished your meal, you usually want to stretch out, relax, and possibly loosen your belt a little. When your cat is done eating, he wants to take a wash right away. You've undoubtedly observed your cat grooming himself after eating, especially his face and head, and he probably does it frequently. The good news is that this is entirely normal cat behavior. But why do cats urinate after they eat? Understanding the instincts that drive this behavior will assist you in better understanding your cat's need to groom himself.

Instinct for safety

At its most fundamental, your cat's natural desire to groom himself originates from a sense of protection and survival. Cats in the wild are required to defend themselves from predators. A tasty food they've just eaten may attract a predator, especially if the aroma of that meal stays on the cat after eating. As a result, cats instinctively recognize the significance of completely grooming themselves after eating. The process removes any leftover food odors and helps to keep predators at bay.

While your indoor cat is protected from predators, his instincts still drive him to clean up after a meal, which is why you may notice this activity.

Cats enjoy being clean.

While grooming after a meal is important for safety, your cat's innate need to be clean can also encourage this practice. Cats prefer to be clean and dry, and let's face it: eating may be messy.

After a meal, your cat may feel unclean and assume that a wash is necessary to remedy the situation. Cats benefit from cleanliness in a variety of ways. By combing himself regularly, your cat can help prevent mats from forming, making his hair and skin more comfortable and healthier. Grooming can also help to avoid skin irritation and other health problems, so your cat is also safeguarding his health.

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When grooming gets overbearing

While grooming your cat after a meal and at other times throughout the day is natural, it can become excessive in some cases. Overgrooming is the process by which your cat grooms himself so much that he develops bald spots on his body. You may notice that your cat suddenly spends an inordinate amount of time grooming, or that the number of grooming sessions per day grows to the point that the behavior becomes virtually constant.

There could be various reasons why your cat is overgrooming himself. In certain circumstances, your cat is reacting to itching by becoming more itchy, such as in the case of an allergy or a flea infestation. This itching causes him to groom more, and to stop the grooming, you must address the source of his itching.

In addition, some cats overgroom in response to stress. You might want to think about the recent changes in your cat's life. A relocation to a new home, the birth of a child, or the addition of a new pet to your home can all cause stress that leads to overgrooming. You may need to take some steps to re-establish your cat's sense of security and comfort in the home. This may entail removing him from the new pet, providing him with a safe location, such as a cat tree or a room of his own, and taking other steps to boost his confidence.

If you feel your cat is overgrooming, the first step should be a trip to the vet. Your veterinarian can thoroughly examine your cat to rule out any physical causes of the behavior. Then, you can attempt to reduce your cat's need to overgroom so that his hair can begin to regrow.

After finishing a meal, most cats will naturally take some time to brush themselves. While your cat may groom while remaining near his food dishes, many cats will seek out a comfortable spot before beginning their grooming routine. This grooming serves several functions, including removing any food odors and keeping your cat's coat clean and healthy. While it's vital to keep a watch out for situations when your cat's grooming becomes excessive, in most cases, your cat is simply following his instincts to keep himself healthy and safe with a good after-meal grooming session.