Have you noticed your cat smacking their lips more than usual? It might seem like a harmless quirk, but lip-smacking in cats can signal anything from minor irritation to serious health concerns. Whether it happens after meals or while they’re resting, it’s worth paying attention.
In this guide, we’ll dive into the common reasons cats smack their lips, how to tell if it’s harmless or concerning, what you can do about it, and when to call the vet. Plus, if lip-smacking is tied to stress or changes in behavior like spraying, we’ll introduce a natural, vet-approved method to restore peace in your home.
What Does It Mean When a Cat Smacks Their Lips?
Lip-smacking is a repetitive licking or clicking motion made by your cat using their mouth and tongue. Occasional lip-smacking is normal, especially after eating or grooming. But when it becomes frequent or is paired with other signs—like drooling, hiding, or vomiting—it may signal an underlying issue.
Common Causes of Lip-Smacking in Cats
Let’s explore the most common reasons your cat might be smacking their lips—ranging from the harmless to the potentially serious.
1. Grooming Behavior
Grooming often involves lip-licking and smacking noises. If your cat has just finished cleaning themselves or another cat, this may simply be a residual habit. Nothing to worry about here unless it’s excessive or obsessive.
2. Food Residue or Dry Mouth
Sometimes, food bits or dry kibble can leave residue in your cat’s mouth. Smacking their lips helps clear the taste or particles. Dehydration can also make saliva thicker, causing lip movements as they try to moisten their mouth.
3. Nausea or Upset Stomach
Nausea is one of the most common medical causes of lip-smacking. If your cat feels queasy, they may lick their lips or swallow repeatedly to suppress the urge to vomit. Watch for signs like:
- Hiding or lethargy
- Drooling or swallowing hard
- Loss of appetite
- Vomiting or hairballs
4. Dental Problems
Pain from dental disease can cause lip-smacking, head shaking, or pawing at the mouth. Common dental issues include:
- Gingivitis or inflamed gums
- Tooth resorption (a common but painful condition)
- Oral ulcers or infections
Foul breath and difficulty eating are key signs something more serious is going on.
5. Oral Foreign Object
Something stuck in the mouth—like a grass blade, string, or kibble piece—can trigger smacking and discomfort. If your cat is trying to dislodge something, they may also paw at their face or show signs of stress.
6. Anxiety or Stress
Some cats smack their lips when they’re anxious or overstimulated. This might occur during car rides, vet visits, or unfamiliar household changes. Stress-related behaviors often come in clusters, including:
- Over-grooming or hiding
- Spraying or marking territory
- Loss of appetite or excessive vocalization
If stress is leading to behaviors like lip-smacking or spraying, don’t ignore the emotional root.
Try Cat Spray No More—a natural, vet-recommended program that helps calm stress-driven behaviors and stops spraying at the source.
7. Allergies or Oral Irritants
Cats with food allergies, contact allergies (plastic bowls, cleaning products), or chemical exposure may smack their lips to soothe inflammation or irritation inside the mouth.
8. Feline Seizure Disorders (Partial Seizures)
In rare cases, lip-smacking can be a symptom of a neurological event called a partial seizure. These may be subtle and involve twitching, staring spells, or odd movements, including repetitive licking or smacking.
9. Medication Side Effects
Some medications can cause dry mouth, nausea, or changes in appetite—all of which might lead to lip-smacking. If the behavior started after a new medication, talk to your vet about possible side effects.
Is Lip-Smacking Ever Normal?
Yes, in certain situations, lip-smacking is normal:
- After eating or grooming
- When tasting something unusual (like licking a surface or grooming another animal)
- Short-lived and not paired with other symptoms
But if it becomes frequent or is paired with signs of illness or behavior changes, it may be time to look deeper.
When to Call the Vet
You should call the vet if your cat’s lip-smacking is frequent, new, or paired with other symptoms such as:
- Drooling or foul breath
- Refusing food or water
- Vomiting, diarrhea, or nausea
- Face pawing or head shaking
- Unusual vocalizing or spraying
- Lethargy, hiding, or aggression
Your vet may perform an oral exam, bloodwork, or imaging to rule out dental disease, gastrointestinal issues, or neurological causes.
At-Home Tips to Monitor and Manage Lip-Smacking
If your cat is eating and acting normally, and the smacking is occasional, here’s what you can do at home:
1. Watch the Timing
Note when the lip-smacking occurs. Is it after meals? After grooming? During moments of stress? This helps identify patterns.
2. Inspect the Mouth (Gently)
Look for signs of food stuck in the teeth, redness, swelling, or damage. Be gentle—cats in pain may bite.
3. Provide Fresh Water
Dehydration can worsen dry mouth and cause more lip-smacking. Make sure your cat is drinking and consider adding a water fountain to encourage hydration.
4. Switch to Ceramic or Stainless Bowls
Plastic bowls can harbor bacteria and irritants that lead to lip-smacking and chin acne. Ceramic or stainless steel is safer and easier to clean.
5. Reduce Stress in the Environment
Provide a safe, calm area with plenty of vertical space, toys, and hideouts. Consider pheromone diffusers and consistent routines to lower stress levels.
If your cat’s lip-smacking is part of a bigger stress pattern—like spraying, marking, or over-grooming—don’t wait to address it.
Cat Spray No More is a natural, gentle way to restore peace and stop stress-triggered behaviors for good.
Potential Medical Diagnoses Linked to Lip-Smacking
Veterinarians may consider the following conditions when evaluating lip-smacking in cats:
- Stomatitis – painful inflammation in the mouth or gums
- Gingivitis – gum disease from tartar buildup or infection
- Foreign bodies – grass, string, or bones stuck in the mouth
- GI distress – from parasites, hairballs, or food intolerance
- Partial seizures – neurological disorders that trigger repetitive behavior
Early detection and treatment can prevent small issues from becoming major health problems.
Spraying and Lip-Smacking: What’s the Connection?
While spraying and lip-smacking may seem unrelated, they often stem from the same root cause: stress or discomfort. A cat who feels nauseous, threatened, or unwell may act out with both physical tics (like licking or smacking) and territorial behaviors (like spraying).
If you’re seeing both signs, you’re dealing with a layered problem—part physical, part emotional. Addressing both aspects is the key to lasting relief.
Final Thoughts
Occasional lip-smacking in cats is usually harmless, but if it becomes frequent or is paired with other changes, it could signal something more serious. From minor oral irritation to stress, nausea, or dental disease, many issues can hide behind this subtle behavior.
By observing your cat closely, providing a low-stress environment, and getting veterinary input when needed, you can support your feline’s health and comfort. And if spraying or stress behaviors are part of the picture, don’t wait to intervene.
Click here to try Cat Spray No More—a trusted solution for ending spraying, calming stress, and bringing balance back to your cat’s world.