Cats are fascinating creatures, spending a significant portion of their day grooming themselves. It’s a normal and essential behavior for them. But have you ever wondered, “Why Do Cats Lick People?” If your feline friend frequently bathes you with their sandpaper-like tongue, you’re not alone in pondering this curious behavior.
While scientists are still unraveling all the mysteries of feline behavior, several compelling theories explain why your cat might be licking you. Understanding these reasons can deepen your bond with your pet and shed light on their unique way of interacting with their human companions.
Decoding the Licks: Common Reasons for Cat Licking
Cat licking isn’t random; it’s a form of communication and behavior rooted in their instincts and relationship with you. Let’s explore the most common reasons behind this feline quirk:
Expressing Affection: The Allogrooming Instinct
One of the primary reasons cats lick people is to show affection. This behavior stems from allogrooming, a social activity where cats groom each other to strengthen bonds. Mother cats groom their kittens from birth, and adult cats often groom their feline companions. By licking you, your cat may be extending this affiliative behavior to you, considering you a member of their social group and nurturing your relationship. Think of it as a feline hug or kiss!
Seeking Attention: Licking as a Learned Behavior
Cats are intelligent and 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 have inadvertently reinforced licking by responding to it, making it an effective attention-seeking strategy in your cat’s playbook.
Scent Marking: Identifying You as Part of Their Territory
Cats have scent glands all over their bodies, and they use scent marking to communicate and establish territory. Licking is one way cats deposit their scent. By licking you, your cat might be marking you as a familiar and safe member of their group, essentially claiming you as part of their territory. This behavior is similar to how mother cats lick kittens to create a unified group scent.
Kittenhood Comfort: Regression to Nursing Behaviors
Kittens exhibit kneading and suckling behaviors while nursing, seeking comfort and nourishment from their mothers. If a cat was weaned too early, they might retain these behaviors into adulthood and transfer them to their human companions. In this case, licking you might be a way for your cat to seek comfort and security, reminiscent of their kittenhood nursing experiences. You might observe your cat kneading and purring while licking you if this is the underlying reason.
Taste and Exploration: Investigating Interesting Scents
Sometimes, the reason for licking is simpler: your cat might like the taste of your skin or be intrigued by scents on your skin. Human sweat contains salts and sugars that can be appealing to cats. Additionally, your cat might be investigating the scent of lotions, shampoos, or other topical products you use.
However, it’s crucial to be cautious if your cat licks you after applying topical products. Some products can contain ingredients that are harmful or even toxic to cats. Never allow your cat to lick your skin if you’ve recently applied lotions, medications, or anything that could be harmful to them.
Anxiety and Stress: Licking as a Displacement Behavior
Licking can sometimes be a displacement behavior, a way for cats to cope with stress or anxiety. While stress more commonly manifests as excessive self-grooming in cats, it can also be directed towards you. If your cat suddenly starts licking you more frequently, consider potential stressors in their environment, such as new visitors, loud noises, or changes in routine.
Untreated anxiety can lead to compulsive behaviors, including excessive licking that can negatively impact your cat’s well-being. If you suspect anxiety is the reason behind your cat’s licking, consult with your veterinarian to address potential underlying issues.
Underlying Medical Issues: When Licking Signals a Problem
In some instances, excessive licking of you or objects in their environment can be a sign of an underlying medical problem. Nausea, pain, or general discomfort can sometimes manifest as increased licking behavior. If your cat’s licking habits change suddenly or become excessive, it’s essential to consult your veterinarian to rule out any medical conditions.
The Sandpaper Tongue: Why Cat Licks Can Feel Rough
If you’ve ever experienced a cat’s tongue bath, you know it’s not exactly a gentle, sponge-like sensation. A cat’s tongue feels rough like sandpaper due to the presence of hundreds of tiny, backward-facing spines called papillae. These papillae are made of keratin, the same material as human fingernails, and serve several important functions for cats:
- Grooming Efficiency: Papillae act like tiny combs, helping to remove loose fur, dirt, and debris from their coat during self-grooming.
- Wicking Saliva: The hollow structure of papillae helps cats wick saliva deep into their fur, aiding in cooling and thorough cleaning.
- Grip and Texture: Papillae also assist cats in lapping up water and scraping meat from bones.
So, while a cat’s lick might feel abrasive to you, it’s a perfectly designed tool for their grooming and survival needs.
Safety First: Is Cat Licking Safe?
Generally, allowing your cat to lick you is safe, but there are a few potential risks to be aware of. Cats carry bacteria in their mouths, which could potentially cause infection if they lick an open wound. Individuals with compromised immune systems are at a higher risk of infection.
To err on the side of caution, avoid letting your cat lick your face or any broken skin. While contracting diseases from cat licks is rare, taking preventative measures is always wise.
Furthermore, be mindful of any topical products you use. As mentioned earlier, some ointments and lotions can be harmful to cats if ingested. If you use any such products, discuss them with your veterinarian to ensure they are not dangerous if your cat were to lick your skin.
Managing Cat Licking: When It Becomes Too Much
While cat licking is often a sign of affection, it can become uncomfortable or even bothersome if it’s excessive or unwanted. If you want to discourage your cat from licking you, here are some gentle and effective strategies:
- Avoid Punishment: Never punish your cat for licking. Scolding, spraying water, or using bitter sprays can damage your bond and increase anxiety, potentially worsening the licking behavior.
- Cover Up: When interacting with your cat, wear long sleeves or use a small towel to cover exposed skin if you find the licking unpleasant.
- Withdraw Attention: If your cat starts licking, calmly get up and walk away. If attention-seeking is the motivation, removing your attention can help reduce the behavior over time. Remember to provide attention at other times, just not when they are licking.
- Redirection: Offer your cat an alternative activity when they start licking. Engage them with a puzzle toy, a favorite cat toy, or initiate a play session. When they engage with the toy or activity, give them praise and positive reinforcement.
- Environmental Enrichment: Ensure your cat has plenty of environmental enrichment to keep them stimulated and reduce boredom or anxiety. Provide a variety of toys, scratching posts, cat trees, and window perches. Dedicate time each day for interactive play sessions.
If your cat’s licking persists despite these strategies or if you are concerned about the underlying cause, consult with your veterinarian. They can help determine if there are any medical or behavioral issues contributing to the behavior and recommend appropriate solutions.
Decoding Feline Licks: FAQs
Why does my cat lick my face?
Cats lick faces for the same reasons they lick other body parts – affection, attention-seeking, scent marking, or even taste. If the licking is excessive or new, consult your vet to rule out any medical concerns.
Why does my cat lick me then bite me?
Licking followed by biting can indicate overstimulation, annoyance, or even pain. If your cat frequently licks and then bites, consult your veterinarian to rule out medical issues and seek advice on managing feline biting 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.
Medically Reviewed 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…
