Cats spend 30 to 50% of their waking hours grooming. This obsessive cleaning removes parasites, distributes natural oils, regulates body temperature, and reduces stress. Cat saliva contains a natural deodorizer and antibiotic. However, this constant grooming is also why cats develop hairballs. A catโs tongue has backward-facing barbs called papillae made of keratin, the same material as human fingernails, which act like a built-in comb.