Cats are known for their meticulous grooming habits, spending a significant portion of their day licking themselves to stay clean. In fact, studies show they can spend up to 8% of their waking hours grooming. But have you ever wondered, “What Does It Mean When A Cat Licks You?” It’s a common behavior that leaves many cat owners curious. Why do cats extend this grooming ritual to their human companions? Is it just like their self-grooming, or is there a deeper meaning behind it when your feline friend starts licking your skin or hair?
While scientists are still exploring all the nuances of feline behavior, there are several well-supported theories that shed light on why cats lick people. Understanding these reasons can deepen your bond with your cat and provide insights into their complex communication methods.
Decoding the Licks: Common Reasons Why Your Cat Licks You
Cat licking isn’t a random act; it’s often a deliberate communication signal or a behavior rooted in instinct and learned associations. Here are some of the most common reasons behind this intriguing feline habit:
Expression of Affection: The Social Grooming Link
One of the most heartwarming reasons for your cat’s licks is affection. In the feline world, grooming is a significant social activity. Cats groom each other, a behavior known as allogrooming, to strengthen their bonds and build social cohesion. Think of it as a feline form of social bonding. Mother cats lick their kittens to clean them and nurture their connection. When your cat licks you, they might be extending this affiliative behavior to you, considering you part of their close-knit social group. It’s a sign they feel comfortable and loving towards you, much like they would with another feline companion they trust and care for.
This type of licking is usually gentle and accompanied by other affectionate behaviors like purring, rubbing against you, or slow blinking.
Seeking Attention: Learned Behavior and Positive Reinforcement
Cats are intelligent creatures, and they quickly learn what actions elicit a response from their humans. If you’ve ever reacted to your cat licking you by petting them, talking to them, or giving them attention, you’ve inadvertently reinforced the licking behavior. Your cat may have learned that licking is an effective way to get your attention. This is a classic example of positive reinforcement. From your cat’s perspective, licking you leads to a desirable outcome – your interaction and affection.
Therefore, if your cat is licking you and seems to be seeking interaction, it’s likely they’ve learned that this behavior is a reliable way to get your attention.
Identifying You as Part of Their Family: Scent Marking and Group Identity
Scent is a primary mode of communication for cats. They use scent marking to establish territory, identify individuals, and create a sense of familiarity. Cats have scent glands in various parts of their bodies, including their cheeks and paws. When a mother cat licks her kittens, one of the reasons is to impart a familiar group scent, essentially marking them as part of her family.
Similarly, when your cat licks you, they might be depositing their scent on you, marking you as a member of their social group or family unit. This behavior is a way for them to strengthen their bond with you and reinforce their connection. They are essentially saying, “You belong with me.”
Kittenhood Comfort: Remnants of Nursing Behavior
Kittens exhibit natural behaviors like kneading and suckling when they are nursing from their mothers. These actions are associated with comfort, security, and nourishment. If a cat was weaned too early from its mother, these comfort-seeking behaviors might persist into adulthood and manifest in different ways, including licking.
When an adult cat licks you, especially if accompanied by kneading and purring, it could be a display of kitten-related behavior. They might be seeking the same comfort and security they experienced as kittens while nursing. In this context, your presence and interaction become associated with those early feelings of comfort and safety.
Exploring Tastes and Scents: Curiosity and Investigation
Cats have a highly developed sense of smell and taste. Your skin and hair can carry a variety of interesting scents and tastes, especially from lotions, shampoos, soaps, or even the salt and minerals in your sweat. Your cat might be licking you simply out of curiosity, to investigate these intriguing scents and flavors. They might be attracted to the taste of salt on your skin after a workout, or the fragrance of your favorite hand cream.
However, it’s crucial to be cautious about this. Some topical products, while pleasant for humans, can contain ingredients that are harmful or toxic to cats if ingested. It’s vital to prevent your cat from licking you after applying any topical product, and always consult your veterinarian if you suspect your cat has ingested something potentially harmful.
Anxiety and Stress Relief: Displacement Behavior
Licking can sometimes be a displacement behavior in cats. Displacement behaviors are actions performed outside of their usual context and are often triggered by stress or anxiety. While stress in cats more commonly manifests as excessive self-grooming, it can also be directed towards you in the form of licking.
If your cat starts licking you more frequently or intensely, consider whether there have been any changes in their environment or routine that might be causing them stress. Loud noises, new visitors, changes in the home environment, or even separation anxiety can trigger stress in cats. Identifying and addressing the source of stress is important. If left untreated, anxiety-related licking can escalate into a compulsive behavior that negatively impacts your cat’s well-being.
Underlying Medical Issues: A Sign of Discomfort
In some cases, excessive or sudden onset licking can be a sign of an underlying medical problem. Nausea, pain, or general discomfort can lead to changes in a cat’s behavior, including increased licking of themselves or objects in their environment, and sometimes their owners.
If your cat’s licking behavior is new, excessive, or accompanied by other symptoms like changes in appetite, lethargy, or vomiting, it’s crucial to consult with your veterinarian promptly. A medical evaluation can rule out any potential health issues that might be contributing to the licking.
Why Does Cat Licking Feel Rough? The Sandpaper Tongue Explained
Anyone who has experienced a “cat bath” knows that a cat’s tongue isn’t soft and smooth. Instead, it feels surprisingly rough, often likened to sandpaper. This unique texture is due to the presence of hundreds of tiny, backward-facing spines called papillae on the surface of a cat’s tongue. These papillae are made of keratin, the same material that forms human fingernails.
These spines serve several important functions for cats. They help them efficiently groom their fur by acting like a comb to remove loose hair, dirt, and debris. The papillae also aid in lapping up water and assist in stripping meat from bones when eating. When your cat licks you, these papillae are what create that distinctive rough sensation.
Is It Safe to Let Your Cat Lick You? Potential Risks to Consider
Generally, allowing your cat to lick you is safe. However, there are a few potential risks to be aware of:
- Bacteria: Cats’ mouths, like those of all animals, contain bacteria. While the risk of disease transmission from a cat lick is very low, there’s a slight chance of infection if a cat licks an open wound, cut, or broken skin, especially for individuals with weakened immune systems.
- Topical Products: As mentioned earlier, if you have applied lotions, ointments, or other topical products to your skin, these could be harmful if ingested by your cat.
To minimize any potential risks, it’s advisable to avoid letting your cat lick your face or any areas of broken skin. If you have any concerns about potential health risks, consult with your physician or veterinarian.
How to Discourage Cat Licking: Gentle and Positive Approaches
While some cat owners enjoy the affection of feline licks, others may find it uncomfortable or simply prefer to discourage the behavior. It’s important to use positive and gentle methods to stop your cat from licking, as punishment can damage your bond and potentially increase anxiety, making the licking worse.
Here are some effective and humane strategies to minimize cat licking:
- Cover Up: If your cat tends to lick you in specific situations, such as when you’re relaxing on the couch, try wearing long-sleeved clothing or draping a small towel over your skin. This creates a physical barrier and prevents your cat from accessing your skin directly.
- Withdraw Attention: If your cat starts licking you, the most effective immediate response is to calmly get up and walk away. This signals to your cat that licking you results in the end of interaction and attention. It’s crucial to be consistent with this approach. Don’t ignore your cat entirely, just withdraw attention specifically when they start to lick.
- Redirection with Toys and Activities: When you notice your cat is about to start licking, or if they are licking and you’ve withdrawn attention, redirect their focus to something else. Offer them a puzzle toy filled with treats or toss a cat toy for them to chase and play with. This provides an alternative outlet for their energy and attention. When they engage with the toy, you can then walk away, reinforcing that playing is a more rewarding behavior than licking.
- Positive Reinforcement for Desired Behaviors: Actively reward your cat when they interact with you in ways you prefer, such as sitting calmly beside you, rubbing against you without licking, or playing with toys. Praise them, pet them, or offer a treat when they exhibit these behaviors. This reinforces the behaviors you want to encourage.
- Environmental Enrichment: Ensure your cat has a stimulating and enriching environment. Provide a variety of toys, scratching posts, cat trees, and window perches. Rotate toys regularly to maintain novelty and interest. Engage in interactive play with your cat for at least 15 minutes, two to three times daily. A well-stimulated and enriched cat is less likely to seek attention through excessive licking.
If the licking persists despite these strategies, or if it seems excessive or compulsive, it’s essential to consult with your veterinarian. They can help determine if there’s an underlying medical or behavioral issue contributing to the behavior and recommend appropriate solutions.
Decoding Cat Licking: Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my cat lick my face specifically?
Cats may lick your face for the same reasons they lick other parts of your body: affection, attention-seeking, scent marking, or even due to anxiety or an underlying medical issue. Because your face is often close to your cat and readily accessible when you interact, it can become a common target for licking. If the face-licking is excessive or bothersome, apply the same gentle discouragement techniques mentioned above. If you are concerned about the intensity or frequency, consult with your vet.
Why does my cat lick me and then bite me? Is it normal for licking to turn into biting?
It’s not uncommon for a cat’s licking to transition into a bite, often referred to as a “love bite” or “nip.” This can happen for a few reasons. Your cat might become overstimulated by the interaction, reaching their threshold for petting or licking. Alternatively, they might be trying to communicate that they’ve had enough and want you to stop. In some cases, biting after licking can be a sign of underlying pain or discomfort.
If your cat frequently licks and then bites, pay attention to their body language. If you notice signs of overstimulation, such as tail twitching, flattened ears, or dilated pupils, it’s best to end the interaction before it escalates to a bite. If the biting is a new behavior or seems aggressive, a veterinary check-up is recommended to rule out any medical concerns.
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 second-year resident in veterinary behavior at the Florida Veterinary Behavior Service under the mentorship of…
