Why do they close their eyes when they clean themselves?

sarahp

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I've wondered this occasionally, and this morning I was watching Smudge and she was so funny. She'd open her eyes to find a good spot, but as soon as her tongue touches her fur she closes her eyes. All the kitties do it, even when they clean each other, and I can't figure out why.

Do you think they're going "ewwwww this is so gross, just don't look, and don't think about it, and it'll be over soon", or are they in bliss and thinking "ohhhh yeah that's good, I feel soooo clean now".


What do you think?
 

katachtig

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I think it is to keep the hair out of their eyes. Or it is "this just feels so gooood".
 
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sarahp

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Even when they're cleaning their bums??!?!?!
 
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sarahp

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Ahhhh of course!!
I love watching them when they clean themselves, it's such a methodical process, and they really seem to enjoy it
 

dragoriana

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Would you want a piece of sandpaper to touch your eyeball?
 
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sarahp

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Originally Posted by theimp98

hmm kinda like why do people close there eyes when the kiss?
Yeah but I don't reckon kissing someone is like cleaning yourself!!

Originally Posted by Dragoriana

Would you want a piece of sandpaper to touch your eyeball?
It's not as though they lick their eyeballs though...
 

Moz

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"It feels so good! Hey Meowmy, check out my cute new 'do!"
 

dragoriana

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Originally Posted by sarahp

Yeah but I don't reckon kissing someone is like cleaning yourself!!



It's not as though they lick their eyeballs though...
Never know
i wonder if they close their butt too..
 

starryeyedtiger

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maybe for the same reason we blink when we sneeze? who knows!
I just think it's cute to watch
 

jenny82

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I agree with "because it feels good" because they also close their eyes when you give them good scratches!
 

yosemite

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I think it's because it feels soooo good. Bijou closes his eyes when I vacuum him and raises his head so I can get under the chin so I just know it feels good.
 

babyharley

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Originally Posted by Jenny82

I agree with "because it feels good" because they also close their eyes when you give them good scratches!
I think so too, my boys close their eyes when I give them scratches!
 

ddcats

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Maybe they think it's too much work and closing their eyes might make cleaning themselves go faster so they can get on with their life.
 

trixie23

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Definitley got me thinking... I notcied that lol! Whenver they clean themselves or eachother they close their eyes... They look so cute and serene!
 
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