TL;DR: Licking concrete or floors is a behavior called pica that usually indicates nutritional deficiencies or stress rather than an emergency. Schedule a vet visit to rule out medical issues like anemia, especially if your cat is lethargic or has pale gums.
Why is my cat licking the concrete or floor?
When a cat compulsively licks non-food surfaces like concrete, tile, or wooden floors, the behavior is often categorized as pica. This is the craving and consumption of non-nutritive substances. In cats, licking concrete specifically can sometimes be an attempt to ingest minerals they feel they are lacking, or it may be a sensory response to the texture and temperature of the surface. Common underlying causes include nutritional deficiencies, anemia, or behavioral triggers like stress and boredom.
Is it an emergency if my cat licks the floor?
- The urgency level for compulsive licking of floors is generally low and rarely a life-threatening emergency.
- Schedule a routine veterinary appointment to rule out physical or psychological imbalances.
- Seek prompt care if the behavior is accompanied by sudden lethargy, extremely pale gums, or frequent vomiting.
How does a photo or video help my veterinarian diagnose the behavior?
- A video allows the vet to observe the intensity of the licking and the cat's posture to differentiate between behavioral quirks and neurological or gastrointestinal issues.
- A photo of the specific area can help identify environmental triggers, such as cleaning chemical residues or mineral deposits.
Clinical Context (Merck Veterinary Manual)
Cats that lick or ingest non-nutritive substances such as concrete or floors may have a compulsive disorder, but underlying medical problems, especially those affecting the GI tract or causing neuropathic pain or pruritus, must first be excluded. Conditions such as adverse food reactions, atopic dermatitis, parasitic hypersensitivity, myopathies, and focal seizures can also manifest with similar signs. A therapeutic trial for neuropathic pain, seizures, pruritus, or compulsive disorders may be part of the diagnostic process. Environmental modifications to increase control, predictability, and enrichment, along with medications that augment brain serotonin (e.g., fluoxetine, clomipramine), may be beneficial.
Chapter: Behavioral Medicine, Dermatology, Neurology
Source: The Merck Veterinary Manual, 11th Edition (Page 1574)