Mary Allen
Many cats like to lick their humans. But what does this behavior mean? Here are three reasons why your cat licks you.
Cats are very clean animals and clean themselves extensively every day. Many cats not only clean themselves but also lick their owners. But what does it mean if my cat licks me?
Your Cat Will Lick You To Mark You
When your cat licks you, she spreads scent particles on you with her rough tongue. She marks you with her own scent, which means something like “You belong (to) me!”
It is therefore often the case that cats lick their humans after they have touched another cat or animal. When your cat then licks you, it “overwrites” the strange smell with its own and “marks its territory”.
Your Cat Licks You to Show Affection
Cats not only clean themselves, but they also lick each other: mother cats lick their babies and in multi-cat households the animals often clean each other. Mutual care promotes the social behavior of the cats and strengthens their bond with each other, it is part of normal cat behavior. In stressful situations or when a cat is grieving, being “cleaned” by other cats also helps it to calm down: licking it gives comfort.
Therefore, it can also be an expression of affection and love when your cat licks you. But in return, it doesn’t mean that your cat doesn’t love you or loves you less if she doesn’t lick you. How cats show their affection is individual. There are many cats that don’t lick people at all.
Your Cat Licks You Because It Likes the Taste
Have you eaten something delicious with your fingers or are you sweating in the summer? This can also be a reason why your cat licks you: she likes the taste. Delicious food smells are irresistible to most. And since cats are very fond of salty tastes, salty sweat often tempts them to lick their humans in various places, including the face and hairline.
What To Do If My Cat Licks Me?
Whatever your cat’s reason for licking you, there is no negative intention behind it. On the contrary, she wants to express her affection or make you understand that they belong together.
You should therefore not react negatively to your cat’s “licking attack”, but also express your love to her: stroke or brush her, for example, she will like that.
My Cat Keeps Licking Me – How Do I Break It?
Many people feel flattered and happy when their cat shows their love by licking their hands, face, etc. But there are also many people who don’t like it that much. Some cats also show excessive licking behavior: they even go up to their human at night to lick them while they are sleeping. In such situations, cat owners are faced with the question: How do I get my cat to stop licking? We have the following tips for this:
If your cat starts cleaning you, try to distract her, for example by playing together.
Remove your hand, stand up, or walk away. Show your cat that you don’t like being licked. Do not give your cat any further attention, either positive or negative.
Most cats will stop trying to lick your hand if you simply move it out of their reach. If you notice that your cat has a very strong urge to brush you, a mate might be the answer. With the second cat, she can live out her social behavior better and has a “cleaning partner”. However, this is of course only an option if you have the money and time for a second cat and your cat gets along with other cats.
FSA in Cats
Cats can develop a kind of “cleaning addiction” in themselves. This syndrome is called FSA (“feline self-induced alopecia”). Cats lick themselves so intensely that bald spots appear in the cat’s fur. If you notice such bald spots, you should not hesitate and take your cat to a veterinarian. This excessive behavior can be caused by stress, parasites, intolerances, or thyroid problems.
Are Diseases Transmitted Through the Cat’s Tongue?
For hygiene reasons, you should wash your hands after your cat has licked them. Especially if your cat is outdoors, you should rather refrain from letting her lick your face for reasons of hygiene. Cats rarely transmit diseases by licking. However, if you have a wound, even if it’s small, make sure it doesn’t come into contact with the cat’s tongue. This is how pathogens, for example from cat scratch disease, can be transmitted.
Is your cat’s licking behavior normal and do you observe certain basic hygiene standards? Then you can simply enjoy your cat’s affection and be happy about her declaration of love.