Cats are enigmatic creatures, spending a significant portion of their day grooming and napping. Licking is a normal and essential behavior for them. But have you ever wondered, “Why does my cat lick me?” instead of themselves or another feline friend? If your cat is giving you sandpaper-like kisses, you’re not alone in pondering this common feline quirk.
Here’s a deep dive into the reasons behind this prevalent cat behavior.
Unpacking the Mystery: Reasons Behind Cat Licking
While scientists are still unraveling all the complexities of feline behavior, several compelling theories explain why cats lick people.
Affectionate Licks: A Sign of Love
One of the most heartwarming reasons behind your cat’s licks is affection. Cats engage in affiliative behaviors, which are essentially friendly and caring actions. Think of a mother cat meticulously grooming her kittens or cats allogrooming each other – these are acts of bonding and social strengthening. When your cat licks you, they might be extending this grooming behavior to you, solidifying your relationship and showing you they care. It’s their way of saying, “You’re part of my family.”
Seeking Your Attention: Licking as a Communication Tool
Cats are clever learners, and they quickly associate actions with reactions. If your cat has figured out that licking you results in attention – whether it’s talking to them, petting them, or any form of interaction – they might be using licking as an attention-seeking behavior. You might have inadvertently reinforced this behavior by responding positively when they lick. In their mind, licking equals interaction, and they’re using this tactic to get your focus.
Claiming You as Their Own: Scent Marking Behavior
Scent is a crucial communication tool in the feline world. Cats mark their territory, objects, and even other beings with their unique scent to establish familiarity and ownership. Mother cats lick their kittens to create a unified group scent. Similarly, when your cat licks you, they could be depositing their scent on you, essentially marking you as part of their group or territory. You’re being labeled as “theirs” through scent.
Kittenhood Comfort: A Throwback to Nursing
Remember kittens kneading and suckling while nursing? These behaviors are deeply associated with comfort and security. If your cat was weaned too early from their mother, they might carry over some of these kittenhood behaviors into adulthood. Licking you could be a way for them to seek that reminiscent comfort. In such instances, you might also observe kneading and purring alongside the licking, further emphasizing this comfort-seeking connection to their early kitten experiences.
Appealing Tastes: Exploring Scents and Flavors
Sometimes, the reason for licking is simply taste. Your cat might be intrigued by interesting scents or odors on your skin or hair, such as a fragrant lotion, shampoo, or other topical product. Human sweat, containing salts and sugars, can also be appealing to cats. However, it’s crucial to be cautious. Never allow your cat to lick you after applying topical products, as some can contain ingredients that are toxic to felines.
Anxiety Signals: Licking as a Stress Response
Licking can also be a displacement behavior, a way cats cope with stress or anxiety. While stress more commonly manifests as excessive self-grooming in cats, sometimes this behavior can be directed towards you. Consider if there are any potential stress triggers in your cat’s environment, such as visitors, loud noises, or changes in routine. If your cat’s anxiety is left unaddressed, this licking behavior can escalate into a compulsive habit, potentially impacting their well-being.
Underlying Medical Issues: When Licking is a Symptom
In some cases, excessive licking, whether directed at you or objects, can be a sign of an underlying medical problem. Conditions like nausea, pain, or general discomfort can trigger licking. If your cat’s licking behavior is sudden, excessive, or accompanied by other unusual symptoms, it’s crucial to consult your veterinarian for a thorough evaluation. It’s always better to rule out any medical causes, especially if the behavior is a recent change.
The Sandpaper Tongue: Why Cat Licks Feel Rough
If you’ve ever been on the receiving end of a cat’s tongue bath, you know it’s far from a gentle, soft sponge. A cat’s tongue is more akin to a sandpaper loofah. This unique texture comes from hundreds of tiny, firm, backward-facing spines called papillae covering their tongue. These papillae are incredibly functional, assisting in removing dirt and loose fur during grooming and distributing saliva across their coat for cooling purposes.
Is Cat Saliva Safe? Understanding the Risks
Generally, allowing your cat to lick you is safe, but it’s wise to be aware of potential risks. Cats, like all animals, carry bacteria in their mouths. While the risk of disease transmission is low, cat saliva can cause local or systemic infections, particularly if they lick an open wound. Individuals with compromised immune systems are more susceptible to such infections.
To err on the side of caution, avoid allowing your cat to lick your face or any broken skin. Also, be mindful of topical products you use. Some medications and ointments can be harmful to cats if ingested. Always inform your veterinarian about any topical products you use to ensure they are safe for your feline companion if licked.
Managing Cat Licking: When It Becomes Too Much
While some find cat licks endearing, others might find them uncomfortable or even bothersome. If you’re looking to reduce your cat’s licking behavior, remember that punishment is never the answer. Scolding, spraying water, or using bitter sprays can damage your bond with your cat and potentially increase their anxiety, exacerbating the licking.
Here are positive strategies to minimize cat licking:
- Create a Barrier: When interacting with your cat, wear long-sleeved clothing or drape a small towel over your skin to create a physical barrier.
- Walk Away: When your cat starts licking, gently get up and walk away. If attention-seeking is the primary motivation, ignoring the behavior should help reduce it over time. However, ensure you’re still providing your cat with plenty of positive attention at other times. If the licking persists after a week of this approach, it’s likely driven by another underlying reason.
- Redirect with Engagement: Offer your cat a stimulating alternative when they start licking. Provide a food puzzle toy or toss a cat toy to shift their focus. When they engage with the toy, give them praise and positive reinforcement.
- Reward Desired Behavior: Actively reinforce interactions where your cat interacts with you without licking. Reward these moments with praise, petting, or playtime.
- Environmental Enrichment: Ensure your cat’s environment is enriching and stimulating. Provide a variety of toys, rotating them regularly to maintain novelty. Offer vertical spaces like cat trees and window perches. Dedicate at least 15 minutes, three times daily, to interactive play and focused attention with your cat.
If the licking continues despite these strategies, or if it seems excessive or compulsive, a veterinary consultation is recommended. This will help rule out any underlying medical or emotional issues contributing to the behavior.
Decoding Cat Licking: Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my cat lick my face specifically?
Cats may lick your face for various reasons mirroring the general reasons for licking humans: affection, attention-seeking, scent marking, anxiety, or even a medical issue. If the face-licking is excessive or new, consulting your vet is advisable to ensure your cat’s well-being.
Why does my cat lick me then bite me afterwards?
Licking escalating into biting can occur if your cat becomes overstimulated, unhappy with the interaction, or is experiencing pain. There are numerous strategies to help curb cat biting, but a veterinary check-up is recommended to rule out any potential medical causes contributing to this behavior.
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-certified veterinary behaviorist at the Florida Veterinary Behavior Service.
