TL;DR: Repetitive lip licking and "zoning out" in cats often signal intense nausea or focal seizures and should be evaluated by a veterinarian within 24 to 48 hours. Capturing a video of the behavior is the most helpful step you can take to assist with a diagnosis.
What does it mean when my cat is lip licking and staring into space?
When a cat exhibits repetitive lip licking combined with "zoning out" or staring into space, it typically points toward two main possibilities: intense nausea or a focal seizure. Cats produce excess saliva when they feel sick to their stomach, leading to frequent swallowing and lip-smacking. Alternatively, a focal seizure (or complex partial seizure) can cause a cat to lose awareness of their surroundings while performing repetitive motor tasks like licking or chomping.
Is it an emergency if my cat is lip licking and zoning out?
- The urgency level for these symptoms is Medium, and you should schedule a veterinary consultation within 24 to 48 hours.
- While usually not an immediate life-threatening emergency, seek help sooner if the episodes become longer or more frequent.
- Contact an emergency clinic immediately if your cat loses consciousness or begins to shake violently.
Why should I take a video of my cat's behavior for the vet?
- Since these episodes are brief and intermittent, your cat may behave normally by the time you arrive at the clinic.
- A clear video allows the veterinarian to observe the exact nature of the lip licking and the degree of "zoning out."
- Visual documentation helps the veterinarian differentiate between a potential gastrointestinal issue and a neurological one.
Clinical Context (Merck Veterinary Manual)
Excessive lip licking and other abnormal behaviors in cats can stem from various underlying medical or behavioral issues. Medical problems must be excluded, as they can manifest as excessive grooming or self-directed behaviors, potentially due to neuropathic pain or pruritus from conditions like adverse food reactions, atopic dermatitis, or parasitic hypersensitivity. Differential diagnoses for excessive lip licking include oral diseases (foreign bodies, neoplasms, injuries), infectious diseases (rabies), convulsive disorders, motion sickness, reluctance to swallow (esophageal obstruction, gastritis), sublingual lesions, tonsillitis, metabolic disorders (hepatic encephalopathy, uremia), and salivary gland issues. The possibility of rabies should be eliminated before oral examination, and the underlying cause, whether local or systemic, should be identified.
Chapter: Behavioral Medicine, Dermatology, Neurology
Source: The Merck Veterinary Manual, 11th Edition (Page 1574)