Cats are known for their meticulous grooming habits, spending a significant portion of their day licking themselves to stay clean. It’s a common sight to see a cat diligently attending to its fur. But have you ever wondered, “Why does my cat always lick me?” This behavior, while sometimes endearing, can be puzzling to cat owners. Understanding the reasons behind your cat’s licking habits can deepen your bond and provide insights into their emotional and physical well-being.
Scientists and veterinarians have explored various theories to explain why cats lick people. It’s not always a simple answer, as feline licking can stem from a range of motivations, from expressing affection to seeking attention, or even indicating underlying health issues. Let’s delve into the common reasons behind this intriguing feline behavior.
Your Cat Is Showing You Love
One of the most heartwarming reasons behind your cat’s licking is affection. In the feline world, grooming is a social activity. Cats groom each other as a sign of bonding and care, a behavior known as allogrooming. Think of it as your cat’s way of saying, “I love you” in their own language.
Mother cats instinctively groom their kittens from birth, cleaning and nurturing them. This behavior extends into adulthood, where cats may groom their feline companions and even their beloved humans to strengthen social bonds. When your cat licks you, they might be including you in their family group, solidifying your relationship through this intimate act of care.
A cat showing affection by licking its owner’s hand, highlighting the social bonding aspect of feline grooming behavior.
Seeking Your Attention
Cats are intelligent creatures, and they quickly learn how to get what they want. If your cat has discovered that licking you results in attention – whether it’s petting, talking, or any form of interaction – they will likely repeat the behavior. You might be inadvertently reinforcing this licking habit by responding to it.
Even seemingly negative reactions, like gently pushing your cat away or saying “no,” can be perceived as attention by your cat. They’ve learned that licking you leads to something happening, and that in itself can be rewarding for them. If your cat is an attention-seeker, licking might be their go-to method to engage with you.
Identifying You as Part of Their Territory
Cats rely heavily on scent for communication and marking their territory. They have scent glands located in various parts of their bodies, including their cheeks, paws, and tongues. When a cat licks you, they are not just showing affection; they might also be marking you with their scent, essentially claiming you as part of their group or territory.
Mother cats lick their kittens to establish a unified group scent, helping them recognize each other and feel secure. Similarly, your cat might be licking you to blend your scent with theirs, creating a familiar and comforting group identity. This scent marking is a natural way for cats to define their social environment and feel more secure within it.
Displaying Comfort-Seeking Behaviors from Kittenhood
Some licking behaviors can be traced back to a cat’s kittenhood. Kittens exhibit natural behaviors like kneading and suckling when they nurse from their mothers. If a cat was weaned too early or experienced any early life stress, they might carry over these comfort-seeking behaviors into adulthood.
When your cat licks you, especially if accompanied by purring and kneading, it could be a sign of them seeking the comfort and security reminiscent of nursing. This behavior is often triggered by feelings of contentment or a desire for reassurance, linking back to their early experiences with their mother.
A cat kneading and licking a soft blanket, demonstrating comfort-seeking behaviors that may originate from kittenhood and nursing instincts.
They Like Your Taste
Sometimes, the reason behind your cat’s licking is simply because they like the taste of your skin or hair. Cats have a keen sense of smell and taste, and they might be attracted to interesting scents or flavors on your skin, such as lotions, shampoos, or even the saltiness of your sweat.
Human sweat contains salts and sugars that can be appealing to cats. They might also be curious about the scent of any topical products you use. However, it’s crucial to be cautious if your cat licks you after applying lotions or other products, as some can contain ingredients that are toxic to cats. Never allow your cat to lick you if you’ve recently applied topical medications or potentially harmful substances.
Anxiety and Stress Relief
Licking can also 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 you. If your cat is feeling anxious or unsettled, they might lick you as a way to self-soothe or redirect their stress.
Consider if there are any potential triggers for your cat’s anxiety, such as changes in the environment, new people or pets, loud noises, or disruptions to their routine. If the licking is sudden, excessive, or accompanied by other signs of stress, it’s important to address the underlying cause of their anxiety. Untreated anxiety can escalate and lead to compulsive behaviors.
Underlying Medical Issues
In some cases, a sudden increase in licking behavior, or licking of unusual objects, can be a sign of an underlying medical problem. Conditions like nausea, pain, or discomfort can manifest as excessive licking. If your cat’s licking habits change abruptly or seem out of the ordinary, it’s essential to consult with your veterinarian.
Medical issues can cause a range of behavioral changes in cats, and excessive licking is one potential symptom. A vet examination can rule out any underlying health concerns and ensure your cat is healthy. If you notice a significant change in your cat’s licking behavior, especially if it’s sudden or excessive, a veterinary check-up is recommended.
Why Does a Cat’s Lick Feel Like Sandpaper?
If you’ve ever been licked by a cat, you know it’s not exactly a smooth, gentle sensation. A cat’s tongue feels rough, almost like sandpaper. This unique texture is due to the hundreds of tiny, backward-facing spines called papillae that cover their tongue.
These papillae are made of keratin, the same material as human fingernails, and they serve several important purposes. They help cats groom themselves effectively by acting like tiny combs, removing loose fur, dirt, and debris. The papillae also help distribute saliva across their fur, which aids in cooling them down and maintaining coat hygiene. While beneficial for grooming, these barbs are what make a cat’s lick feel abrasive on human skin.
Is It Safe to Let Your Cat Lick You?
Generally, allowing your cat to lick you is safe, but there are a few potential risks to be aware of. Cats’ mouths, like those of all animals, contain bacteria. While the risk of disease transmission is low, cat saliva can potentially cause infections if they lick open wounds, especially in individuals with weakened immune systems.
It’s also best to avoid letting your cat lick your face or any broken skin to minimize any risk of bacterial transmission. While rare, cat scratch disease, caused by the bacteria Bartonella henselae, can be transmitted through cat scratches or bites, and theoretically, through licks on broken skin.
Furthermore, as mentioned earlier, be mindful of any topical products you use. Certain lotions, medications, or chemicals can be harmful if ingested by your cat. Always inform your veterinarian about any skin products you use to ensure they are pet-safe in case your cat comes into contact with them.
How to Discourage Cat Licking if Needed
While many cat owners find licking endearing, it can sometimes become excessive or uncomfortable. If you want to reduce your cat’s licking behavior, it’s crucial to use positive and gentle methods. Never punish your cat for licking. Punishment, such as scolding, spraying water, or using bitter sprays, can damage your bond with your cat and increase their anxiety, potentially worsening the licking behavior.
Instead, consider these positive strategies:
- Create a Barrier: If your cat tends to lick specific areas, cover them with clothing or a towel during interaction.
- Redirect Their Attention: When your cat starts licking, gently redirect their focus with a toy or a puzzle feeder. Offer them an alternative activity to engage in instead of licking you.
- Withdraw Attention: If your cat is licking for attention, calmly get up and walk away when they start licking. This teaches them that licking doesn’t result in the attention they seek. However, ensure you still provide plenty of positive interaction at other times when they are not licking.
- Positive Reinforcement: Reward your cat with praise, petting, or treats when they interact with you without licking. Reinforce the behaviors you want to encourage.
- Environmental Enrichment: Ensure your cat has a stimulating environment with plenty of toys, scratching posts, climbing structures, and opportunities for play and exploration. Environmental enrichment can reduce boredom and anxiety, which can contribute to licking behaviors.
- Veterinary Consultation: If the licking is excessive, persistent, or you suspect it might be related to anxiety or a medical issue, consult with your veterinarian. They can help identify any underlying causes and recommend appropriate solutions.
Engaging a cat in play with a toy as a positive redirection technique to discourage excessive licking and provide mental and physical stimulation.
Why Does My Cat Lick Me? FAQs
Why does my cat lick my face specifically?
Cats may lick your face for many of the same reasons they lick other parts of your body: affection, attention-seeking, scent marking, or even taste. Because your face is often close to your cat and may carry scents they find interesting, it can be a common target for licking. If the face licking is excessive or bothersome, gently redirect their attention as described above. If you have concerns, consult with your vet to rule out any underlying medical or anxiety issues.
Why does my cat lick me then bite me?
The lick-then-bite phenomenon can be confusing, but it often occurs when a cat becomes overstimulated during petting or licking. Cats have a threshold for interaction, and when that threshold is crossed, they may switch from licking to biting as a way to communicate “enough.” It can also be a sign of playfulness or even mild irritation. If your cat frequently licks then bites, pay attention to their body language during interaction. Learn to recognize the signs of overstimulation (e.g., tail twitching, flattened ears, dilated pupils) and end the interaction before a bite occurs. If the biting is aggressive or concerning, consult with your veterinarian to rule out any medical or behavioral issues.
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 board-eligible veterinarian specializing in behavior, dedicated to understanding and addressing animal behavior issues.
