Cats are known for their peculiar behaviors, and one common yet sometimes puzzling action is licking their human companions. If you’re a cat owner, you’ve likely experienced the sandpaper-like sensation of your cat’s tongue on your skin. While cats spend a significant portion of their day grooming themselves, dedicating precious licking time to you might leave you wondering, “why do cats lick me?”
Understanding why cats lick you involves exploring a range of feline motivations, from expressing affection to seeking attention, and even indicating underlying health concerns. Let’s delve into the fascinating world of cat licking and decode the reasons behind this common feline behavior.
Decoding the Lick: Common Reasons for Cat Licking
While scientists continue to research the intricacies of feline behavior, several compelling theories explain why cats engage in licking their human owners.
Affection and Social Bonding: The Language of Love
One of the most heartwarming reasons behind cat licking is affection. Just as cats groom each other as a sign of bonding, known as allogrooming, they may extend this behavior to their beloved humans. Mother cats lick their kittens to clean and comfort them, and adult cats may carry this nurturing behavior into their relationships with humans. This type of licking is often accompanied by purring and gentle kneading, further emphasizing the affectionate intent. Your cat licking you can be interpreted as a high compliment – they see you as part of their family group and are strengthening your bond through grooming.
Seeking Attention: A Learned Behavior
Cats are intelligent creatures and quickly learn how to get what they want. If your cat has discovered that licking you results in attention, whether it’s verbal praise, petting, or simply interaction, they are likely to repeat the behavior. You might have inadvertently reinforced this behavior by responding positively whenever your cat licks you. In this case, licking becomes a learned behavior, a way for your cat to solicit interaction and playtime from you.
Scent Marking: Claiming You as Their Own
Cats possess scent glands in various parts of their bodies, including their cheeks and tongues. Licking serves as a method of scent marking, allowing cats to deposit their scent onto objects and individuals they consider part of their territory or social group. By licking you, your cat might be marking you with their scent, essentially claiming you as a familiar member of their feline family. This behavior is rooted in feline communication and establishing a sense of security and familiarity within their environment.
Kittenhood Remnants: Comfort and Security
Kittens exhibit natural behaviors like kneading and suckling when nursing from their mothers. If a cat was weaned too early, they might retain these behaviors into adulthood, seeking comfort and security through licking. In such cases, cat licking may be accompanied by purring and kneading, mimicking the soothing experience of nursing. This behavior often indicates a deep sense of comfort and attachment to their owner, reminiscent of the security they felt as kittens.
Taste Exploration: Curiosity and Investigation
Cats are naturally curious and use their senses, including taste, to explore their environment. Your skin or hair might carry interesting scents or tastes from lotions, shampoos, or even sweat. Human sweat, in particular, contains salts and sugars that can be appealing to cats. While this might seem harmless, it’s crucial to be cautious. Never allow your cat to lick you after applying topical products, as some can contain ingredients toxic to cats. While taste exploration can be a reason for licking, prioritize your cat’s safety by preventing them from ingesting potentially harmful substances.
Anxiety and Stress: A Coping Mechanism
Licking can sometimes be a displacement behavior, a way for cats to cope with stress or anxiety. While stress often manifests as excessive self-grooming in cats, it can also be directed towards their owners in the form of licking. Identifying potential stressors in your cat’s environment, such as loud noises, new visitors, or changes in routine, is essential. Untreated anxiety can lead to compulsive licking behavior that negatively impacts a cat’s well-being. If you suspect anxiety is the cause, consult your veterinarian to address the underlying issues.
Underlying Medical Issues: When Licking Signals a Problem
In some instances, excessive or sudden onset of licking can indicate an underlying medical problem. Conditions like nausea, pain, or discomfort can trigger licking behavior in cats. If your cat’s licking habits change abruptly or become excessive, it’s crucial to seek veterinary evaluation. Ruling out medical causes is essential to ensure your cat’s well-being and address any potential health concerns promptly.
Why Does a Cat’s Lick Feel Like Sandpaper?
Anyone who has experienced a cat’s lick knows it’s far from a soft, gentle sensation. The rough, sandpaper-like feel is due to the unique structure of a cat’s tongue. Covered in hundreds of tiny, backward-facing spines called papillae, a cat’s tongue is designed for efficient grooming. These papillae are made of keratin, the same material as human fingernails, and help cats remove loose fur, dirt, and debris while grooming. They also aid in lapping up water and rasping meat from bones. This specialized tongue structure, while perfect for feline hygiene, can feel abrasive on human skin.
Is it Safe to Let Your Cat Lick You? Potential Risks
Generally, allowing your cat to lick you is safe, but awareness of potential risks is important. Cats’ mouths harbor bacteria, which can cause infections if they lick open wounds, particularly for individuals with compromised immune systems. While contracting diseases from cat licks is rare, exercising caution is advisable. Avoid letting your cat lick your face or any broken skin.
Furthermore, be mindful of topical products you use. As mentioned earlier, some ointments and lotions can be harmful if ingested by cats. If you use topical products, consult your veterinarian to ensure they are safe for your feline companion if licked.
How to Discourage Cat Licking: Gentle and Positive Methods
If you find your cat’s licking behavior uncomfortable or excessive, gentle and positive redirection is key. Avoid punishment, such as scolding or spraying water, as this can damage your bond with your cat and increase anxiety, potentially worsening the licking.
Instead, try these positive strategies:
- Create a Physical Barrier: Wear long sleeves or use a small towel to cover your skin during interactions with your cat if licking is anticipated.
- Redirection and Distraction: When your cat starts to lick, calmly get up and walk away. If attention-seeking is the motivation, ignoring the behavior should help reduce it over time. However, ensure you are still providing your cat with plenty of attention at other times.
- Offer Alternatives: Engage your cat with interactive toys like food puzzles or toss toys to redirect their focus from licking. When they engage with the toy, offer praise and positive reinforcement.
- Positive Reinforcement: Reward your cat with praise, petting, or play when they interact with you without licking. This reinforces desired behaviors and strengthens your bond positively.
- Environmental Enrichment: Ensure your cat has a stimulating environment with plenty of toys, scratching posts, and vertical spaces like cat trees and perches. Dedicated playtime of at least 15 minutes, two to three times daily, is crucial for their well-being.
If persistent or excessive licking continues, consult your veterinarian to rule out medical or emotional issues.
Decoding Feline Licking: FAQs
Why does my cat lick my face specifically?
Cats may lick your face for the same reasons they lick other parts of your body: affection, attention-seeking, scent marking, or comfort. Facial licking can be a sign of close bonding, as cats often groom each other’s faces. However, if the licking is excessive or bothersome, gently redirect the behavior and ensure there are no underlying medical or anxiety issues.
Why does my cat lick me and then bite me?
Licking followed by biting can indicate overstimulation. Cats have a limit to how much petting or interaction they can tolerate. When they become overstimulated, licking can transition into a bite as a signal to stop. It can also indicate discomfort or pain. Learn to recognize your cat’s body language for signs of overstimulation (e.g., tail twitching, flattened ears) and respect their boundaries. If biting is a frequent issue, consult your veterinarian to rule out medical concerns and seek behavioral advice.
Conclusion: Embracing the Lick with Understanding
Understanding why cats lick you allows for a deeper appreciation of this common feline behavior. While sometimes sandpaper-like and occasionally perplexing, cat licking is often rooted in affection, communication, and seeking connection. By observing your cat’s behavior in context and considering the various motivations behind licking, you can strengthen your bond and ensure their well-being. If you have concerns about your cat’s licking, consulting with your veterinarian is always recommended to address any potential underlying issues and ensure a happy, healthy relationship with your feline companion.
References
Eckstein RA and Hart BJ. (2000). The organization and control of grooming in cats. Applied Animal Behaviour Science. 68(2):131-140.
Noel AC and Hu DL. (2018). Cats use hollow papillae to wick saliva into fur. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, doi:10.1073/pnas.1809544115.
WRITTEN BY
Alison Gerken, DVM (Clinical Behavior Resident)
Veterinarian
Dr. Alison Gerken is a second-year resident in veterinary behavior at the Florida Veterinary Behavior Service under the mentorship of…
