If you’re lucky enough to have a cat as a friend It’s likely to be normal to share your couch, your bed as well as your lap perhaps some portions of meals with your cat. What happens if your cat would like to have an earwax exchange? Does that push the boundaries of your relationship (and maybe your gag reflex) to the limit?
It may appear like an odd activity for your cat however, there are actually positive reasons as to why this strange substance is so appealing. If your cat’s digging through the garbage or directly into your ears, we’ve got some tips for redirecting.
Two Reasons Why Cats Eat Earwax
If your cat is fond of earwax, it’s not by itself, nor is he insane. Actually, there are two reasons you could have a cat burglar that is after your earlobes or cotton swabs:
1. Earwax is a component of the diet for your cat.
Earwax (also known as cerumen) is an oily protective oil that is produced by the glands of the ear canal. It isn’t exactly like the ideal kitty food competition. In 1991, researchers of researchers from the University of Toronto broke down the organic composition of earwax which could shed some more light on the reasons it could be attracting your cat’s eye. As per the results of their research that earwax has in addition to the dead cells of the skin, fat acids, and cholesterol.
They may not be the ingredients of an item you’d like to take home but for your cat, they smell like the scent of the smell of survival. This is because cats are obligate carnivores. They must consume a diet consisting of mostly meat to obtain the nutrients they require. So, the animal proteins within your earwax might cause your cat to say “Bon Appetit!” to whatever he discovers in the trash and your ears.
2. Earwax is a part of your cat’s love language.
If your cat’s earwax desires are restricted to your earlobes, the reason may not have anything to be related to the substance itself. The cat could be grooming you, not because you’re filthy, but because he is in love with you.
“Allogrooming [i.e. grooming that occurs among members of similar species is normal behavior among cats,” says Pam Johnson-Bennett, CCBC, author and the owner of Cat Behavior Associates. “In an outdoor community, grooming each one another is a method to make a common scent that can be used to establish a sense of familiarity. the scent is among the primary methods that cats use to establish an identity as well as recognition.” If cats do allogrooming and continue to groom with the areas around their heads.
However, for certain cats (specifically those that are bonded) the behavior goes beyond creating an aroma that is shared, Johnson-Bennett clarifies. For cats who are bonded, it is a sign of affection. “I think that the vast majority of felines that groom their owners’ face and head, including the ears, do it out of affection, not to remove ear wax,” Johnson-Bennett explains.
In other words, your cat perceives you as more than a mere cat, but as a cat that he’s connected to. Aww, shucks. The thing you believed was a bit snarky is actually quite adorable (though we totally accept that you would still like flowers and sonnets to show your signs of love).
Can Human Earwax be harmful to Cats?
The answer is easy It’s not true. Human ears are not dangerous for cats to consume. The only thing it can do is hurt your appetite.
How to stop your cat’s Earwax-related Obsession
Earwax can be dangerous to your cat, however, if your cat isn’t able to keep its distance from your trash bin, there’s an issue. “Getting in the trash isn’t safe for cats under any circumstances due to the presence of items such as dental floss razor blades and other,” Johnson-Bennett explains. Even if your cat might be chasing the wax from your cotton swabs that have been tossed away There’s a high chance that the entire device could be deposited in your cat’s stomach.
“If the cat you have is determined to rummage through the garbage in search of ear swabs that have been soiled ensure that the bin has a secure cover, or put it within a cabinet,” Johnson-Bennett suggests. If your cat is skilled enough to get the cabinet’s door and then open it, she suggests installing an inexpensive, but highly secure child-proof latch.
If your cat has a tendency to allogrooming and has become irritating rather than calming You can do that as well. “For those cats that are obsessed with their owners’ ears, I suggest directing their attention to more productive things like toys that help with food dispensing,” Johnson-Bennett advises. “There are numerous puzzle feeders available on the market and pet owners can choose the perfect one to match their cat’s capabilities.”
This type of redirection is an excellent option to maintain the bond that you share with your cat while keeping your ears clean. Another great way to redirect your cat’s tongue from your face is “Lickimat,” a mat that is used to redirect your cat’s tongue. “There are many styles available,” Johnson-Bennett says, “and all the cat’s owner needs just spread out a bit of wet cat food onto the mat.”
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