Does your cat lick you? Hands, feet, and even your face? Let’s find out what this means and what the owner should do.
Small pets can sometimes be very funny, so it is interesting to observe the behavior of pets. Of course, their actions need to be corrected. Especially if you are raising a kitten. Large pets can also behave incomprehensibly, puzzling the owner. The actions of the cat can be so funny that the owners do not have to be discouraged. But the reasons for the actions of your four-legged friend may remain unclear. Does the pet manage to lick your hands and face? Let’s think about why a cat does this.
Communication between cat and owner
Our pets are loyal and open to communication. And if you want to find a faithful friend, who will just be there for you and give you good emotions, get a pet. But now I want to tell you about an interesting phenomenon in the behavior of cats. You probably saw how a cat licks the hands or face of a person. There is a reason for this:
- Your pet wants to show affection for you. While people can express feelings with words or a hug, a cat has other methods. This behavior is instinctive, and later we’ll break down why your pet shows it. You may have already figured out what we’re talking about. But for now, let’s move on to the next point;
- Every animal has its own territory, and “own master.” So by this behavior, the cat is simply marking you as a member of the family. There is another option, when the pet does not perceive the owner as the boss, but instead tries to clean up as a junior;
- You are in a bad mood and the pet wants to feel sorry for you. The cat also reacts to its own stress. If you notice your four-legged companion brushing himself for a long time, it could be stress. Or dermatological problems. But if the animal likes to lick a human, she wants to comfort you.
No matter how rough your pet’s tongue is, and you should always accept their affection and care. After all, this is how your pet expresses its feelings, wants to distract you from negative experiences, pity. There are also other reasons, such as the desire to get a treat. But even in this case, the animal shows sincere love to you. Why a cat likes to lick the hands of a person is quite a broad question. To understand your pet, you need to observe it and communicate with it. Each animal has its own unique character. Yes, and the person affects the behavior of the pet. We are talking about his actions, training methods, reactions to pranks and satisfying his food needs.
Undoubtedly, members of the feline family can be very intelligent and funny at the same time. And in their behavior you can find concern for humans, their owner. Where there is a cat – there is an opportunity to be comforted and enjoy the pleasant companionship of an animal.
- Do not leave the cat alone for long!
- They don’t need a full bowl of food, but a human presence.
- A cat sitter will take care of your pet, clean the litter box, and make sure the bowls are clean.
Kitten and human licking: what are the similarities
There’s a reason a cat shows its care by licking. Even as a child, your pet was cared for in this way by the cat’s mother. This action is followed by a pleasant emotion, which is associated with safety and protection. Ever notice how a cat licks kittens? In fact, there is something similar in the behavior of a pet with humans. Feline love manifests itself in different ways, but it is by licking that the mother takes care of the kitten. She hides him from predators by licking his scent, and she also teaches him how to care for his fur. But even in the normal washing of children, the cat shows maternal affection.
In other cases, however, owners have observed that small carnivores may also lick each other. If your cat shows you such affection, then he perceives you to be part of his family.
How does a cat become homely and loyal?
The first few days of your interaction with a cat can affect subsequent trust. A small animal after moving to a new home has to adapt. And if it’s also a new owner, especially after weaning, you have some work to do with the baby’s sense of security. Comfort and trust are closely linked. And at the very moment of the kitten’s introduction to a new person and the first few weeks, the owner is responsible for the emergence of a trusting relationship. If at an older age you observe the licking of the owner’s hands, then your cat has gone through the adaptation process well and emotional attachment has arisen. Sometimes it can be quite difficult to get a pet to like you, but many owners still succeed. The most important thing is to treat your pet well.
Is the cat not sick?
There is some not very pleasant information about why cats lick themselves and their owners. One theory is that the cat is reacting to skin diseases or parasites. In order to determine exactly whether you need to worry, your pet should be examined by a doctor. You can find out at home beforehand if there is anything to worry about. Rashes, dermatitis, and shingles will be visible. But to find out if there are worms, it will help to observe the cat’s appetite, well-being and feces.
You will be able to notice from the cat’s behavior what the mystery of this phenomenon is. It can do it with love or confusion when licking its owner’s hands. Observe her behavior. She may just want to show her affection for you.
What are other reasons for licking?
Another option is if the cat licks itself just to occupy itself. Suppose it’s raining outside or the owner is constantly busy. In the second case, try to pay attention to your pet, because a cat can lick itself if it wants to feel calm. Large or small pets need the care and affection of their owner. For kittens, you can replace the family, so you should try not to hurt them.
We have looked at the most common reasons why a cat licks its owner. This behavior expresses the natural instincts, as well as the predator’s concern for herself and the younger kittens. If the pet licks the owner, it trusts him. It is necessary to maintain communication with the pet as often as possible. Otherwise, the little raptors may lick themselves out of boredom.
The pet may also lick its hair. Reasons may be a desire to give or receive attention, a desire for care or dominance. Some fluffy owners say that the cat may start zealously flushing out the “dangerous” smell of shampoo, trying to save the owner. As you can see, even toxic substances on the hair sometimes don’t become a barrier.
Also pay attention to whether you have recently eaten meat, fish or other tasty product. If there is an odor left on your hands, the cat will smell it and lick it off. But here, too, there are two explanations. In the first case, the animal wants to eat. In the second, she is hiding you and herself from danger. In nature, such a smell would be smelled by predators.
How to get a cat to stop licking me
If your pet wants to show you love and care, it is unlikely that you can immediately explain to her that you do not like it. But when you notice that the cat is doing it out of boredom, just show it some attention and care. In any case it will be useful to play or just to scratch behind the cat’s ear.
Cat’s Tongue
It’s covered with small little barbs that serve as both a comb for when she’s grooming herself and as a rasp for getting all those little meaty bits off bones or food bowls.
Main Causes Why Does Your Cat Lick You
1) Signs of Affection
In the same way that you show love to your cat by petting them, your cat may attempt to return the favor by licking you. Kittens specifically will utilize licking as a way to reduce anxiety the way a human might use hugs. If your feline good friend likes to lick you, it most likely suggests they ‘d like some love in return. Which truthfully is one of the best parts of owning a feline!
2) Marking Territory
Felines utilize scents to mark their territory. While the majority of people know that cats mark property by urinating on things, they can mark their area in other methods also. Licking and head rubs are ways for cats to declare you as part of their property … affectionately! When your cat licks or rubs versus you, they are saying that you are important to them and they want all the other cats to know. You might see that often other felines avoid you, it’s possible they smell that you belong to another cat!
3) Part of The Family
Many people joke that felines believe they’re human beings and offered the method some cats behave towards their owners, it’s simple to see why. A fantastic example is a cat who will leave dead mice or birds on their owner’s doorsteps in an attempt to share a yummy reward. Felines have actually also been understood to present their owners with live animals in an attempt to teach its owner to hunt. It’s clear that not just do numerous cats see their owners as part of the family, they also see them as a bit inept at being cats. Female cats mainly will show this sort of parenting or nurturing type of behavior.
When felines lick you, it can mean that they are attempting to teach you to groom yourself. It’s a memory your feline had from being licked by her own mother and is a real sign of affection. Felines will also lick each other as a method to soothe them down. Cats are very mindful to their owner’s state of minds so you may discover your feline is more affectionate when you’re stressed out or ill. Felines are trying to relax your anxiety the same method you would pet your cat if they seemed anxious.
4) Cleaning You
The concept that an arm covered in feline saliva is “clean” doesn’t entirely clear for us, however, for a feline, it’s a crucial behavior that promotes bonding.
Within a group of cats cohabiting, there is generally a designated ‘all-groomer,’ which is a feline that licks and grooms the other felines in the group. Usually, the members of the group are related to each other, so licking a human might be the cat’s effort to include you as part of her group.
It Is Painful!
We all understand that a through feline licking isn’t always the comfiest experience. This is because cat tongues have backward-facing hooks that are meant to pull and clean their fur the way a comb would. Keep in mind to your feline being licked feels good, they don’t know they’re harming you! When a cat licks you, it’s merely trying to show some love.
How to Get Your Feline to Stop Licking You
For habits that are frequently about love and psychological nearness, it’s challenging to inform your cat to stop without jeopardizing your relationship.
Some individuals will try to avoid the behavior entirely by using something that tastes bad to felines to their own skin. The concept is that the cat will not like the taste and won’t lick you in the future. It can have an undesirable effect, nevertheless, and the feline might begin to associate the unpleasant experience with you in a more basic method, which can be problematic. The exact same applies to any type of penalty that you might administer in response to licking.
If you seem like your cat is licking you excessively, the best thing you can do is reroute her actions. If have a cat who likes cuddling with you and licking your face, so move your face away from him and either offer your head to nuzzle versus, or pet him so that he merely enjoys the petting and stops licking.
If that doesn’t work, merely walking away when licking becomes excessive, which causes the cat to associate licking you with you disappearing. With time and consistency, your feline ought to learn that you are a lick-free zone.
Owners that Licked By Their Cats – Sharing Experience
Jenifer from Atlanta: My young boy cat Volly has a concern with licking me when I pet/ holds him. I usually have no interest with a couple of licks from my cats; however Volly goes really overboard with it. Plus, he has very halitosis since he needs a dental done. However, it threatens (he has a heart issue) and costly. I am not sure how to discourage him from this licking, he appears to need to do it. Like if I even reach to provide him a pet his head follows my hand to attempt and offer me a lick, once when he was on me and trying to lick I kept moving my arm away when he began to lick, and he ultimately got my arm, claws out to hold me still so he could lick me! He does it to his siblings too, if either of them attempts and plays with him or cuddle, he licks them to death! They get irritated generally and leave, or end up soaking wet with spit. Why does he do this! How the heck can I break him of this annoying routine?
Toni from NY: My one cat will hunch down and lick me while kneading me a minimum of as soon as a day, for some minutes. He and his bro were discovered alone a couple of days old, and he has never ever outgrown the licking. Fortunately, I don’t have your issues to a big degree- he doesn’t do it to his bro, and if I stop him he looks injured for a few seconds then overcomes it. My veterinarian states it is basically because he was weaned method too soon and he is revealing me he is accepting me as his new mama, but going way OCD overboard about it (for years).
Jess from Ottawa: About 3 months earlier, my sis found a starving kitten in her garden. We cleaned her and fattened her up and then I took her home and made her my baby. I took her to the vet, and the vet stated she was healthy, about 6 months old, and cute.
Now she is about 9 months old. My only issue is that she licks incessantly. She cannot be on me without licking some part of me. She’ll lick my feet, my face, my hands. It wouldn’t be so bad if she ‘d simply lick me and get it over with. However, she does not stop.
I have observed that she seems to have an oral fixation. If she’s not licking herself or me, she’s chewing on cardboard or paper, licking the walls, licking pictures, or bring toys around in her mouth. She’s quite like a puppy.
Dorie from Seattle: My kitty Rusty (now 9 years old) pertained to me at about age 2, from the local shelter. She used to lick a lot of things, the carpet in specific. Do not ask me why. She does lick us as well, but just on the hands or arms (among my other cats licks my chin). I’ve moved twice since I got her, and she no longer licks the carpet, though she does still lick us now and then. I’ve matured with cats, and never comprehended this, however, what I’ve been told is that they lick us for mainly one factor; they like the taste of the salt on our skin (or maybe it’s skin oil). However, in your case, I ‘d say that there’s a possibility your kitty is missing something in her diet, as from your description, she appears to focus on paper products if not you. What are you feeding her?
I also found an article that recommends that licking excessively (individuals, furniture, towels, floor) can be a sign of displaced tension. Typically cats will over-groom themselves when they are stressed out, causing bald patches or even worse (I have a kitty with this problem; he is on a diet), but when they lick other things, they may still be worried. Has your cat constantly licked things, or has something changed and she’s only now doing it? Perhaps she’s going through her first heat cycle, and it’s worrying her out– is she spayed?
Rob from Memphis: My cat, a 6 years of age male whom I nursed back to health and made a house cat after he hurt himself, appears to like to lick my face. He is very, very friendly and enjoys to cuddle. And for some reason, he likes to lick my face (usually the chin) when he is cuddling with me. This occurs a couple of times a week, and when he went for his yearly checkup I asked the veterinarian about it, and he didn’t seem to have any answers.
