Cats spend hours grooming themselves and their kittens. When they lick the fur, they remove dirt and debris and secrete oils that keep the coat, healthy. They also ingest some fur, which helps them digest their food and excrete waste.
Bathing
If a kitten gets very dirty, the mother may help it to bathe by licking its body with her tongue and paws.
Nest-cleaning
Cats are naturally clean animals and will often clean their nest before giving birth. They remove any dirt or debris and make it as comfortable as possible for their kittens.