How to Stop a Cat from Licking Stuffed Animals and Blankets Explore this Article methods 1 Employing Positive Reinforcement of Good Behavior 2 Addressing Your Cat's Stress or Boredom 3 Using Indirect Deterrence to Protect Certain Items Other Sections Related Articles Expert Interview References Article Summary Co-authored by Tabitha Kucera
Last Updated: June 26, 2025
X
This article was co-authored by Tabitha Kucera. Tabitha Kucera is a Registered Veterinary Technician & Cat and Dog Behavior Consultant and the Owner of Chirrups and Chatter Cat and Dog Behavior Consulting and Training in Cleveland, Ohio. Tabitha has over ten years of experience working at animal veterinary hospitals, farm sanctuaries, and cat and dog rescue centers. Tabitha has helped to develop training and behavior programs for various veterinary hospitals and shelters and works as a consultant for many shelters and private veterinary practices. Her teaching credentials include lecturing at regional and national levels and at multiple veterinary technology programs. She is a Fear Free certified speaker, a Fear Free Practice Certification Consultant, a behavior consultant for Cat Pawsitive Pro, and host of the podcast, Tails from a Vet Tech. She currently serves on the board of the Pet Professional Guild’s Cat Committee and is the President of the Society of Veterinary Behavior Technicians. She is an Elite Fear Free and Low-Stress Handling Certified Registered Veterinary Technician, a certified cat behavior consultant, a Karen Pryor Academy certified training partner, and has a Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS) designation in behavior. This article has been viewed 41,801 times.
Cats will incessantly lick blankets and stuffed animals for various reasons. If they're licking to the degree that they are damaging items or hurting themselves, see your vet. If their behavior seems to be more of a bad habit, there are several methods you can use to deter your cat from licking blankets and stuffed animals in particular. Start with a bit more affection and some positive reinforcement of good behavior.
Steps
Method 1 Method 1 of 3:
Employing Positive Reinforcement of Good Behavior
1 Reward the behaviors you want to see more often. Positive reinforcement via encouragement and a healthy amount of treats can help teach your cat to do certain things. While this approach only indirectly addresses specific negative behaviors, positively reinforcing good behavior will encourage your cat to spend their time doing things it knows will lead to affection and rewards.
Stated simply: when your cat is doing something you want it to repeat, reward them.
Initially, food treats will work best as rewards.
2 Take care with your timing of rewards. Only provide rewards when it will help teach your cat. It will working against your training regimen to give your cat treats haphazardly. Save treats only for when you want the cat to repeat the behavior it literally just performed.
For instance, you may like it when your cat meows and rubs up against you. However, you may not want to reward this behavior, as the cat will learn that the behavior leads to treats and before you know it, it'll be rubbing up on you and meowing nonstop.
Advertisement
3 Provide rewards immediately. You must provide a reward within seconds of the behavior you're trying to reinforce in order for your cat to associate the behavior with your positive reinforcement. For instance, if she jumps onto the couch and sits on your lap without licking anything, give her a treat as soon as she sits down.
Use verbal reinforcement while giving treats. Scratch your cats head and tell them they're wonderful when you're forking over the goods.
4 Be consistent with treats. Use the same kind of reward to reinforce a behavior you want repeated, and provide it the same way. Either placing a treat on the ground or letting your cat take it from your hand will work, just go the same route every time. If you live with others, make sure they're on board with your training regimen and will either comply or refrain from giving treats at all.
5 Switch from treats to verbal praise and affection. While using food treats, know that they will be especially effective when your cat is hungry. You can likely even teach your cat to do certain things – such as come to you – using treats right before meal time.
Once it seems your cat associates a certain behavior with a treat, stop providing them as consistently.
Wean them off by reducing the frequency of food treats. For instance, simply skip a food treat, then go back to food treats the next few times you observe the positive behavior you're hoping to reinforce.
After a while, only provide food treats on the rare occasion your cat is being especially well-behaved.
6 Continue employing other methods of positive reinforcement. Continue using positive reinforcement by saying things like “now that's a good cat” and “you're the finest feline in the whole entire world.” Aside from verbal praise, a good scratch on the chin or belly, or a loving cuddle sends the message you're happy with your cat. Alternatively, throw their favorite toy across the room to excite your cat.
7 Never physically punish your cat. Not only is it hurtful to your cat, being abusive is simply less effective than positive reinforcement. Especially if you respond negatively after the fact, yelling, hitting, or shaking won't teach your cat anything. In fact, abusive treatment will likely lead to more bad behavior – including incessant licking – from your cat because they will be more fearful and insecure. Advertisement
Method 2 Method 2 of 3:
Addressing Your Cat's Stress or Boredom
1 Play with your cat more often. Compulsive behavior such as incessant licking may be the effect of boredom or stress.[1]X Expert Source Tabitha KuceraRegistered Veterinary Technician & Cat and Dog Behavior ConsultantExpert Interview Fortunately, both of these can be diminished via the best possible form of treatment: play. Make sure to play with your cat at least 15 minutes a day.
Keep your cat's daytime environment stimulating by leaving toys – especially ball and string toys designed for cats – in the areas they like to spend time.
Consider getting a fish tank. Cats will happily sit in front of a fish tank and wash fish swim around – an activity that can be both soothing and entertaining.
By providing your cat predatory play opportunities and other enrichment, you're going to help reduce their stress.[2]X Expert Source Tabitha KuceraRegistered Veterinary Technician & Cat and Dog Behavior ConsultantExpert Interview
2 Cuddle your cat more often too. Lots of licking of blankets and stuffed animals may simply be an indication that your cat is not feeling entirely secure. Since blankets and stuffed animals are often security items for cats, and many cats enjoy cuddling with these sorts of items while relaxing, incessant licking may indicate an over-attachment to certain items that stems from a lack of attachment to you.
Gently pick up your cat and set them on your lap when you'll be stationary for a while.
They may not like this at first, but repeatedly do so – with gentleness in mind – and pet them softly, if only for a moment. They'll come to recognize your affection and slowly become more comfortable cuddling with you.
3 Add some cat-friendly verticality to your home. Cats especially like high places that they can post up in and feel safe. If your cat is dealing with stress, this may be just the trick to calm them down.
When you build or install a new cat hang out, furnish it with bedding or toys you know they enjoy to indicate that the space is meant for them.
4 Consider getting your cat veterinary help. If your cat is particularly stressed, and is beginning to lick more and more, a vet may be able to help diagnose the cause.[3]X Expert Source Tabitha KuceraRegistered Veterinary Technician & Cat and Dog Behavior ConsultantExpert Interview It may even be a medical issue that you'll need help treating.
Furthermore, your vet can talk to you about medication options, including temporary anti-anxiety drugs.
Advertisement
Method 3 Method 3 of 3:
Using Indirect Deterrence to Protect Certain Items
1 Spray the items with a deterring aroma. Indirect deterrence includes types of punishment that don't come directly from you, and work well in deterring compulsive behavior such as incessant licking. A great deterrent is smell. Fill a spray bottle with water and a bit of something your cat doesn't enjoy to smell.[4]XResearch source
There are lots of options to try. Dilute liquids or soak solids in water before lightly spraying anything you don't want licked.
2 Use scents cat's won't like, but that aren't harmful. Citrus scents may be particularly effective. Soak orange or lemon peels in water. Use peels instead of the fruit's flesh so you'll get the fruit's oils without the sugar. Vinegar or the oil of lavender, lemongrass, citronella, or eucalyptus will also likely work especially well. You only need to add a small amount to a spray bottle of water for the mixture to be effective.[5]XResearch source
Coffee grounds and pipe tobacco also deter cats. Soak a small amount right in the spray bottle overnight.
Make sure whatever you choose won't discolor or otherwise damage the items you spray. Test an inconspicuous area by spraying it and checking it the next day before you spray an entire item.
Be sure to choose an aroma that won't bother you!
3 Hide the items you don't want your cat to lick. If indirect punishment isn't working, keep in mind that there are likely better ways to address your cat's behavior than direct punishment. Most cat's behavior problems can be remedied by making your cat feel more safe and secure and providing them with more stimulation.
While training your cat not to lick too much, simply place any blankets and stuffed animals in a drawer or closet to keep them from being licked.
Advertisement
Expert Q&A
Search Add New Question Ask a Question 200 characters left Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Submit Advertisement
You Might Also Like
How to Stop Cat Bullying: Recognizing the Signs and Stopping the BehaviorHow toTreat Benign Fatty Skin Tumors on DogsHow toTame a Feral CatHow to Get Dog Poop Out of Your Carpet in 8 Easy StepsHow toGive an Insulin Shot to DogsHow toIdentify Canine Ear MitesHow to Get Rid of Cat Allergies Naturally with 12 Easy RemediesHow toTrick Your Dog Into Drinking WaterHow toTake Care of a DogHow toGet Your Cat to Like YouHow toHouse Train Your Dog QuicklyHow toLeash Train a PuppyHow toDetect Skin Cancer in DogsHow toBreed Betta Fish Advertisement
Expert Interview
Thanks for reading our article! If you'd like to learn more about controlling cats' behavior, check out our in-depth interview with Tabitha Kucera.
References
↑ Tabitha Kucera. Registered Veterinary Technician & Cat and Dog Behavior Consultant. Expert Interview
↑ Tabitha Kucera. Registered Veterinary Technician & Cat and Dog Behavior Consultant. Expert Interview
↑ Tabitha Kucera. Registered Veterinary Technician & Cat and Dog Behavior Consultant. Expert Interview
↑ http://www.alleycat.org/Deterrents
↑ http://www.alleycat.org/Deterrents
About this article
Co-authored by: Tabitha Kucera Registered Veterinary Technician & Cat and Dog Behavior Consultant This article was co-authored by Tabitha Kucera. Tabitha Kucera is a Registered Veterinary Technician & Cat and Dog Behavior Consultant and the Owner of Chirrups and Chatter Cat and Dog Behavior Consulting and Training in Cleveland, Ohio. Tabitha has over ten years of experience working at animal veterinary hospitals, farm sanctuaries, and cat and dog rescue centers. Tabitha has helped to develop training and behavior programs for various veterinary hospitals and shelters and works as a consultant for many shelters and private veterinary practices. Her teaching credentials include lecturing at regional and national levels and at multiple veterinary technology programs. She is a Fear Free certified speaker, a Fear Free Practice Certification Consultant, a behavior consultant for Cat Pawsitive Pro, and host of the podcast, Tails from a Vet Tech. She currently serves on the board of the Pet Professional Guild’s Cat Committee and is the President of the Society of Veterinary Behavior Technicians. She is an Elite Fear Free and Low-Stress Handling Certified Registered Veterinary Technician, a certified cat behavior consultant, a Karen Pryor Academy certified training partner, and has a Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS) designation in behavior. This article has been viewed 41,801 times. 2 votes - 90% Co-authors: 19Updated: June 26, 2025 Views: 41,801Article SummaryX
You can stop your cat from licking stuffed animals and blankets by spritzing them with water mixed with a scent your cat doesn’t like. Try using a citrus scent by soaking lemon peels in a small amount of water overnight and adding it to a spray bottle full of water. Some other scents that work well are vinegar, lavender oil, and eucalyptus. However, before you spray anything, test a little bit of the mixture on an inconspicuous part of the stuffed animal or blanket to make sure it won’t discolor or damage it. Of course, you also don’t want to use an aroma that will bother you, since the smell will be on your things. For more help from our Veterinary co-author, including how to stop licking by reinforcing good behaviors in your cat, read on!Did this summary help you?YesNo
Print
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 41,801 times.
Did this article help you?
Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Co-authored by: Tabitha Kucera Registered Veterinary Technician & Cat and Dog Behavior Consultant Co-authors: 19Updated: June 26, 2025 Views: 41,80190% of readers found this article helpful. 2 votes - 90% Click a star to add your vote
You Might Also Like
How to Stop Cat Bullying: Recognizing the Signs and Stopping the BehaviorHow toTreat Benign Fatty Skin Tumors on DogsHow toTame a Feral CatHow to Get Dog Poop Out of Your Carpet in 8 Easy Steps Dogs Cats Rabbits & Furry Friends Fish Birds Other Pets Horses
Home
wikiHow Newsletter You're all set! Helpful how-tos delivered toyour inbox every week! Sign me up! By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. CATEGORIES Dogs Cats Rabbits & Furry Friends Fish Birds Other Pets Horses
Advertisement 
Co-authored by: Tabitha Kucera Registered Veterinary Technician & Cat and Dog Behavior Consultant This article was co-authored by Tabitha Kucera. Tabitha Kucera is a Registered Veterinary Technician & Cat and Dog Behavior Consultant and the Owner of Chirrups and Chatter Cat and Dog Behavior Consulting and Training in Cleveland, Ohio. Tabitha has over ten years of experience working at animal veterinary hospitals, farm sanctuaries, and cat and dog rescue centers. Tabitha has helped to develop training and behavior programs for various veterinary hospitals and shelters and works as a consultant for many shelters and private veterinary practices. Her teaching credentials include lecturing at regional and national levels and at multiple veterinary technology programs. She is a Fear Free certified speaker, a Fear Free Practice Certification Consultant, a behavior consultant for Cat Pawsitive Pro, and host of the podcast, Tails from a Vet Tech. She currently serves on the board of the Pet Professional Guild’s Cat Committee and is the President of the Society of Veterinary Behavior Technicians. She is an Elite Fear Free and Low-Stress Handling Certified Registered Veterinary Technician, a certified cat behavior consultant, a Karen Pryor Academy certified training partner, and has a Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS) designation in behavior. This article has been viewed 41,801 times. 2 votes - 90% Co-authors: 19 Updated: June 26, 2025 Views: 41,801 Article SummaryX
Dogs Cats Rabbits & Furry Friends Fish Birds Other Pets Horses 
487 
1 Reward the behaviors you want to see more often. Positive reinforcement via encouragement and a healthy amount of treats can help teach your cat to do certain things. While this approach only indirectly addresses specific negative behaviors, positively reinforcing good behavior will encourage your cat to spend their time doing things it knows will lead to affection and rewards. 
2 Take care with your timing of rewards. Only provide rewards when it will help teach your cat. It will working against your training regimen to give your cat treats haphazardly. Save treats only for when you want the cat to repeat the behavior it literally just performed. 
3 Provide rewards immediately. You must provide a reward within seconds of the behavior you're trying to reinforce in order for your cat to associate the behavior with your positive reinforcement. For instance, if she jumps onto the couch and sits on your lap without licking anything, give her a treat as soon as she sits down. 
4 Be consistent with treats. Use the same kind of reward to reinforce a behavior you want repeated, and provide it the same way. Either placing a treat on the ground or letting your cat take it from your hand will work, just go the same route every time. If you live with others, make sure they're on board with your training regimen and will either comply or refrain from giving treats at all. 
5 Switch from treats to verbal praise and affection. While using food treats, know that they will be especially effective when your cat is hungry. You can likely even teach your cat to do certain things – such as come to you – using treats right before meal time. 
6 Continue employing other methods of positive reinforcement. Continue using positive reinforcement by saying things like “now that's a good cat” and “you're the finest feline in the whole entire world.” Aside from verbal praise, a good scratch on the chin or belly, or a loving cuddle sends the message you're happy with your cat. Alternatively, throw their favorite toy across the room to excite your cat. 
7 Never physically punish your cat. Not only is it hurtful to your cat, being abusive is simply less effective than positive reinforcement. Especially if you respond negatively after the fact, yelling, hitting, or shaking won't teach your cat anything. In fact, abusive treatment will likely lead to more bad behavior – including incessant licking – from your cat because they will be more fearful and insecure. Advertisement 
1 Play with your cat more often. Compulsive behavior such as incessant licking may be the effect of boredom or stress.[1] Fortunately, both of these can be diminished via the best possible form of treatment: play. Make sure to play with your cat at least 15 minutes a day. 
2 Cuddle your cat more often too. Lots of licking of blankets and stuffed animals may simply be an indication that your cat is not feeling entirely secure. Since blankets and stuffed animals are often security items for cats, and many cats enjoy cuddling with these sorts of items while relaxing, incessant licking may indicate an over-attachment to certain items that stems from a lack of attachment to you. 
3 Add some cat-friendly verticality to your home. Cats especially like high places that they can post up in and feel safe. If your cat is dealing with stress, this may be just the trick to calm them down. 
4 Consider getting your cat veterinary help. If your cat is particularly stressed, and is beginning to lick more and more, a vet may be able to help diagnose the cause.[3] It may even be a medical issue that you'll need help treating. 
1 Spray the items with a deterring aroma. Indirect deterrence includes types of punishment that don't come directly from you, and work well in deterring compulsive behavior such as incessant licking. A great deterrent is smell. Fill a spray bottle with water and a bit of something your cat doesn't enjoy to smell.[4] 
2 Use scents cat's won't like, but that aren't harmful. Citrus scents may be particularly effective. Soak orange or lemon peels in water. Use peels instead of the fruit's flesh so you'll get the fruit's oils without the sugar. Vinegar or the oil of lavender, lemongrass, citronella, or eucalyptus will also likely work especially well. You only need to add a small amount to a spray bottle of water for the mixture to be effective.[5] 
3 Hide the items you don't want your cat to lick. If indirect punishment isn't working, keep in mind that there are likely better ways to address your cat's behavior than direct punishment. Most cat's behavior problems can be remedied by making your cat feel more safe and secure and providing them with more stimulation. 
Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy.