Get

In Your Inbox

Catster is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more.

Why Does My Cat Clean Herself on Me? 4 Vet-Verified Reasons & When to Worry

cat sleeping on owner's lap

Cats have quite a few strange behaviors. Even if you have been living with cats forever, you may still be surprised by their behavior every once in a while. For instance, some cats may clean themselves while lying in their owner’s lap.

Typically, when cats lie in our lap, we believe that they are cuddling with us. However, this sort of behavior proves a different point. In some cases, the cat may not even be paying attention to you!

As cat owners, we know how strangely cats can act—and how hard it can be to determine the intent behind your cat’s actions. Therefore, we put together this list of potential reasons that your cat may clean themselves while sitting in your lap and how to know whether you should be worried about this behavior.

divider 3 paws

The 4 Possible Reasons Your Cat Cleans Herself on You

1. You’re Comfortable

One of the most apparent reasons your feline may clean themselves on you is that you’re pretty comfortable. Cats will often groom themselves wherever they are the most comfortable. For many felines, that may be right on your lap!

It isn’t that they’re ignoring you. Grooming is simply a task that most cats enjoy, so many of them do it as often as possible. If that means fitting in a grooming schedule while they are also cuddling with you, so be it.

Furthermore, many cats may cuddle with you without the intent of grooming at first. Then, they may decide to groom after they relax with some cuddles.

person smelling cat
Image Credit: JensEnemark, Pixabay

2. It Releases Endorphins

Grooming releases endorphins. In other words, it makes your cat feel quite good. For this reason, many of them may decide to groom themselves in the middle of a cuddle session, which likely releases some oxytocin.

Because oxytocin is released when cats groom, many associate grooming with oxytocin release. Usually, oxytocin is also released when they are petted and cuddled (which is why they like that so much). Therefore, it only makes sense that they may start grooming whenever they begin to feel relaxed during a cuddle session.

This isn’t necessarily a bad thing. It can mean that your cat likes bonding with you, and they want to increase the good vibes!


3. They’re Bonding

Many cats will participate in allogrooming in the wild, which means that they groom each other. Of course, a cat does not get much practical benefit out of grooming another cat. It doesn’t keep them clean, after all. However, it does help mix two cats’ scents together, creating a bonding combined scent.

Cats primarily identify each other by scent. If you remove one cat from the household and reintroduce them after months or years, the other cats might not recognize them because they will smell so different. For instance, littermates will often not identify each other years later.

As you can see, it is pretty essential and ingrained in a cat’s behavior. However, your cat cannot exactly groom you—you don’t have any fur. While some cats will still attempt to groom their humans, others understand it isn’t quite the same. Still, it isn’t odd for many cats to feel the urge to groom, anyway. A cat might lick you a couple of times and then stop; in this case, your feline may decide to groom themselves since you are pretty ungroomable!

senior tabby cat sitting on person
Image Credit: Debra Anderson, Shutterstock

4. They’re in Pain

Because grooming releases endorphins, it is also a natural soothing behavior used as a pain reliever. Therefore, cats may groom even more when in pain or sick. Cats are extremely good at hiding their signs. They would need to hide their illnesses in the wild, or a predator may have taken advantage of their weakness. Covering up that they were in pain was vital to their survival. That isn’t much of a problem in today’s world.

However, cats still instinctively do it. Therefore, even if you don’t notice any other signs, your cat could still be overgrooming to handle pain or anxiety. They may still want to cuddle but be in pain for one reason or another. In this way, they may decide to groom themselves while cuddling.

Seek veterinary advice if you’re concerned about your pet’s well-being.

If you need to speak with a vet but can't get to one, head over to PangoVet. It's an online service where you can talk to a vet online and get the advice you need for your pet — all at an affordable price!

PangoVet_Mention-in-Content for PangoVet2 save money

divider 2 cats

When Should You Worry?

Typically, you do not need to worry about your cat grooming themselves while cuddling. It is a relatively normal behavior that is likely occurring because your cat is relaxed and happy. There is no reason to interrupt it. However, there are some cases where you may need to consider taking your cat to the vet.

One of these situations is overgrooming. If your feline is grooming themselves too much, it can signify various problems. Often, cats will overgroom if they feel anxious, for instance. Any source of pain can also be a source of overgrooming.

If your cat is genuinely overgrooming, they will start to pull out fur and even leave sores. If your cat is experiencing this problem, you should take them to the vet, as it can be a sign of underlying problems.

Occasionally, you should also pay extra attention when your cat begins grooming on you suddenly. While this isn’t always a problem (cats do change some of their habits without an underlying health issue, but based on environmental changes), it can also indicate a health problem. It may be the start of overgrooming, even if they are not yet losing fur or developing sores.

brown tabby cat with green eyes lying on the sofa, bites its nails
Image Credit: Magui RF, Shutterstock

divider 1 paws

How Can You Prevent This Behavior?

In many cases, you don’t need to prevent this behavior. It is normal and likely caused by your cat liking the cuddle session. However, if you do want to prevent your cat from grooming themselves on you, there are several steps you can take.

For example, you can try a distraction. This will often stop the cuddle session, so use this method wisely. You can throw a ball or shift to playing with your cat, typically making them stop cuddling and start playing.

With that said, these distractions don’t always work. In some cases, it is best to end the cuddle session as soon as they start grooming. Remove your cat from your lap and move elsewhere. After a few times, your cat will figure out why you stood up, though it is essential to be consistent.

Cats are intriguing animals who sometimes have odd interests and indulge in unusual behavior. Understanding them might be tough but providing a toy that fosters their instinctual needs and curiosities is simple.The Hepper Hi-Lo Cat Scratcher encourages playtime and offers a cat-appropriate place to scratch. 

Hepper Hi-Lo Cardboard Cat Scratcher with Real...
  • Premium Materials - Hepper's cardboard scratcher is made with dense, B-flute cardboard, and a metal...
  • High, Low and Lower - A single cat scratch pad won't keep your cat engaged. 3 unique positions keeps...
  • Activates Muscles - The Hi Lo isn't just a cat nail file to stop the chief cat couch scratcher. The...

It’s unique 3-position design and cardboard scratch pad allow your cat to explore different levels, improves their health, satisfies natural feline impulses, and deters your cat from delving into places they should not. Show your cat how much you love and appreciate their quirks by gifting them the Hepper Hi-Lo Cat Scratcher.

At Catster, we’ve admired Hepper for many years, and decided to take a controlling ownership interest, so that we could benefit from the outstanding designs of this cool cat company!

divider 3 paws

Conclusion

Your cat may groom in your lap for several reasons. First, they may decide that your lap is simply the most comfortable place to groom. It is where they feel safe. Second, they may groom naturally when they start to relax in your lap or attempt to bond with you.

However, because felines also groom for pain relief, grooming isn’t always as simple as it’s made out to be. Sometimes, cats may have underlying health problems that cause pain, so they’re attempting to “self-medicate” by grooming.

If your cat suddenly starts grooming in your lap and in other situations where they once didn’t, you may want to look at their behavior. Even if they don’t have fur loss or sores yet, they may develop them. When in doubt, always speak to a vet.

Related Reads:


Featured Image Credit: Karpova, Shutterstock

How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate (you can leave written feedback after clicking submit)

Help us improve Catster for pet parents!

Your feedback really matters.

What did you like about this post? Also how can we improve it?

Join the conversation

Leave a Reply

You’re very welcome to leave a comment or question. Please know that all comments must meet our community guidelines, and your email address will NOT be published. Let’s have a positive and constructive conversation.

Talk With A Vet Online

Peace of mind,
anywhere, anytime

Affordable vet advice

Why Does My Cat Sit On Me All The Time? 6 Vet-Verified Reasons

Cats, for the most part, are not always the most affectionate creatures in the world, and for many cat lovers, this is precisely...

My Cat Won’t Eat Dry Food, Should I Worry? 5 Vet-Verified Reasons

Cat owners and toddler parents can agree on at least one thing: dealing with a picky eater is not easy. With preferences changing...

persian cat eating dry food

Why Does My Cat Chew on My Fingers? 8 Vet-Verified Reasons

Cats do weird things sometimes, and if your cat has ever tried to chew on your fingers, you might be wondering what on...

Gray Cat bitting hand

Why Does My Cat Throw Up Every Day? 10 Vet-Verified Reasons

Cats throw up occasionally, but if your cat is vomiting every day, they may have a medical condition. It’s also worrisome as a...

Cat vomiting

More related

woman-holding-her-nose-because-of-a-bad-smell

Why Does My Cat Smell Like Rotten Eggs? Our Vet Discusses Reasons & Tips

It’s important to pay attention to any unusual odors coming from your pet. If your cat smells like sulfur or rotten eggs, it’s...

grey tabby cat sleeping on warm radiator

Why Is My Cat Suddenly Sleeping in Odd Places: 7 Vet-Verified Reasons

Did you know cats can sleep between 12 and 18 hours daily? It’s true, and studies suggest that almost 40% of cats1 will...

Cat meowing

Why Does My Cat Cry When I Leave? Vet-Verified Reasons & Solutions

While cats are often considered not to be terribly interested in people, they’re actually sensitive, loving creatures that become deeply attached to those...

a young tabby cat bites a woman's feet

Why Does My Cat Nibble Me? 5 Vet-Verified Reasons

Cats are curious creatures that often get into trouble for following their instincts. Whether they’re ruining furniture, meowing all night long, or getting...

Keep reading

Purina ONE Cat Food Review of 2025: Recalls, Pros & Cons

Review Summary Purina has been a popular pet food company since it was founded in 1894. Since then, its recipes have changed dramatically. New research has come to the forefront of pet care that has defined healthy and unhealthy ingredients...

Purina One Cat Food Review

Can Cats Drink Cranberry Juice? Vet-Reviewed Facts & FAQ

If you are like most people, you have eaten your fair share of cranberries throughout the years — even if just on Thanksgiving. You have likely heard that cranberries are a great source of nutrients and can help keep your...

Can Cats Drink Cranberry Juice

How Do Outdoor Cats Survive Cold Winters? Vet-Verified Facts & Care Tips

Cats are known to be self-sufficient survivors who can look after themselves quite well. But how do the feral and stray cats withstand the cold while spending all their time outdoors during winter? While they have these fantastic fur coats...

siberian cat on snow

My Older Cat Is Playing Rough With My Cat, Is That Normal? Vet-Reviewed Facts & FAQ

Cats seemingly never grow up. Even the eldest of cats is known to have a little fun now and then, swatting a fly or two when relaxing outside. Play is intrinsic in cats, and for good reason. It helps cats...

cats playing outside the house

Why Do Cats Meow Back at You? 5 Vet-Reviewed Reasons for This Behavior

If you have a cat, you might have noticed that they sometimes meow back at you when you talk. Some cats will even meow at you when you sneeze or make a noise. The anecdotal explanation for this behavior is...

black cat

12 Best Cat Brushes for Shedding in 2025 – Reviews & Top Picks

Ah, cat hair. The unavoidable side effect of enjoying the company of a feline companion—unless you own a hairless cat, that is. Whether your cat is short-haired or long-haired, they will shed, and you’ll have to do your best to...

Cat with long hair being brushed with hepper brush

Do Cats Like Blankets? Vet-Reviewed Feline Behavior Explanation & Safety Tips

Cats are interesting creatures that tend to march to their own beat. It can be tough to get a cat to do something you want them to and to stop doing things that you don’t like. So, if a cat...

kitten playing under a blanket

Why Does My Cat Wiggle Before They Pounce? 4 Common Reasons

The little wiggle that cats display before pouncing might be one of the most adorable things that you’ll observe as a cat parent. Whether your pet is stalking a live critter or a catnip-infused plush toy, before your cat gets...

a polydactyl cat ready to pounce