Why Does My Cat Lick the BBQ? Curiosity or Necessity:

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If you’re wondering why does my cat lick the BBQ, these are the most common causes for this behavior:

  1. Your cat is curious
  2. It’s acting out of boredom
  3. Your cat may have a nutrition imbalance
  4. It likes the taste of BBQ

Why Does My Cat Lick the BBQ? 

 

Summer has finally arrived, so you’ve decided to bring out the old BBQ and grill up some delicious food for your friends and family. But as soon as you got the grill out of the garage, your cat suddenly got a hankering to lick anything and everything on and around it. This inevitably leads to the question why does my cat lick the BBQ?

Is this normal cat behavior, or is your cat doing something completely out of the ordinary? I’m here to help you find out!

 

Why Does My Cat Lick the BBQ: Common Causes

 

For starters, you have nothing to worry about because this is completely normal cat behavior. However, that doesn’t mean you should allow your cat to continue licking the barbeque. 

The most common causes for your cat licking the barbeque are:

  • Curiosity
  • Boredom
  • Nutrition imbalance

Also, let’s not exclude the fact that your cat may enjoy that sweet and savory marinade you use for grilled chicken! Nevertheless, if you’re set on putting an end to your cat’s BBQ licking addiction, I’ve got some tips for you to try out. But first, let’s go through each cause in order to gain a better understanding of your furball’s habit.

 

Why Does My Cat Lick the BBQ: Curios Kitty 

 

Naturally curious, cats like to touch, smell, and lick anything and everything that comes their way. Let’s face it, as soon as you fire up the grill, your cat is bound to poke its head around the corner to see what’s going on. 

After it sees what’s up, it’s only normal for your cat to want to touch and taste the delicious food you’re cooking. 

You probably won’t have to worry about it jumping onto the grill while you’re cooking. After all, cats are pretty cautious creatures. But as soon as you get the food off the BBQ, and the grill cools down a bit, Whiskers will jump onto it and lick up all the crusty leftover meat. The problem is if this behavior becomes habitual.

   

Why Does My Cat Lick the BBQ: A Case of Boredom

 

Yes, cats like to relax and lounge around the house for half the day. However, the rest of the time, they like to hunt and play, which keeps them mentally stimulated. If you’ve been neglecting your cat, your pet will look for ways to get your attention.

Chances are that as soon as you notice your cat licking the BBQ, you’ll make a huge fuss. Obviously, you’ll try like crazy to get it off and away from the grill. In doing so, you showed your cat that it caught your attention with its behavior

Keep in mind that a neglected cat will do anything and everything to get your attention. That’s why it will continue to lick the BBQ no matter how many times you shoo it away.

 

Why Does My Cat Lick the BBQ: Nutrition Imbalance

 

If your cat suffers from a nutrition imbalance, it’s bound to go around licking random things in and around your home. That also leads to licking your barbeque even after you’ve wiped it clean. This could be dangerous if you use chemicals to clean the grill. 

This type of behavior in cats is called pica, and it isn’t limited to just licking the BBQ. Basically, cats with symptoms of pica will incessantly lick non-food items due to a possible fiber or fat deficiency.  

 

How to Deal With a Curious Kitty

 

Everyone is familiar with the expression curiosity killed the cat. Although licking the BBQ after it’s cooled down won’t do any serious harm to your cat, if this behavior continues, the real danger lies in your cat deciding to jump on the grill while it’s hot. That’s why you need to discourage your cat from going near your BBQ. 

For starters, consider keeping your cat indoors while you’re using the BBQ. Doing so is probably the best solution since you won’t have to keep one eye on your pet and the other one on the food.

However, if this isn’t an option, try setting up a playpen in the backyard so your cat can enjoy the fresh air, and you won’t have to worry about it jumping onto the grill. Just make sure to place the playpen in some heavy shade, and put plenty of toys and freshwater inside. 

Another option is to close off the area you’re barbequing in. You can do so by placing a safety fence around the BBQ area. A safety fence is a great solution since it will keep your cat away from the grill. Furthermore, it will discourage your pet from trying to get to it. 

 

How to Deal With a Bored Cat

 

A bored cat needs attention. It’s as simple as that. I know how hectic life tends to get. But your cat is a part of your family, and neglecting it can cause it to start behaving erratically, which, in turn, can cause serious damage to its health.  

Make sure your pet has plenty of toys to play with while you’re out, and remember to give it plenty of space to roam free. 

Before letting it out into your backyard, make sure there are no holes in your fence and that there are plenty of shaded areas available for your cat to relax in. 

Also, make sure you keep the BBQ out of bounds. That way your cat doesn’t get the urge to check it out.  

 

How to Deal With a Nutrition Imbalance

 

If you notice that your cat keeps licking random objects (including your BBQ), the best thing to do is to take it to the vet. You may need to change up your cat’s food in order to accommodate its dietary needs. 

Ultimately, only a professional will be able to recommend the proper nutrition options for your pet’s size and breed.  

While there, it’s not a bad idea to screen for any feline diseases or even diabetes.

 

Why Does My Cat Lick the BBQ: A Few Parting Words

 

I’ll let you in on a secret: plenty of people have asked me, Why does my cat lick the BBQ? So, don’t worry, if your cat has a habit of licking the grill, you’re not alone. 

The bottom line is that every feline behavior has a cause and a solution. But, whether your cat is curious, bored, or has a nutrition imbalance, there’s always something you can do to fix the problem. 

In hopes of helping you discourage your pet from forming a habit that’s hard to break, here are a few additional tips for you to consider:

  • Always cover the BBQ when you finish using it.
  • If possible, store the grill away in your garage after each use.
  • Make sure to give it a thorough cleaning each time you use it.

Hopefully, after reading this article you’ll stop wondering, Why does my cat lick the BBQ? On a final note, keep in mind that it will take some time for your cat to get used to the new rules. Always remember to be patient and understanding toward your pet. 

 

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