Why Does My Cat Lick Me?
Cats are wonderful and amazing beings. While many say they are very independent pets, they are also affectionate and love to spend time with their owners. Our four-legged friend’s show of affection might catch our attention… especially because of the texture of his tongue. In this article, we tell you why your cat licks you.
the language of cats
If your cat licks you often, you will probably wonder why he does this. There are different reasons and here we tell:
1. As a means of social connection
Cats not only “groom” themselves, but also groom others . As there are certain areas that are a bit tricky to “reach” no matter how contortionist they are, they always need the help of another feline (mother, siblings, whatever) to comply with personal hygiene.
This doesn’t mean your cat thinks you’re dirty and therefore licks you, but it’s a way to connect with you by exchanging scents.
2. As a way to express your affection
The language of cats is not the same as the language of people and that goes without saying. So how does he say he loves you? Licking you! To him you are his family and for that reason he does what his mother did when he was a baby. In this way, it shows your love and also that you are by your side. Also, it can be a way of giving a compliment by expressing that you feel safe in your presence.
3. As an Anxiety Reducer
If you see your cat compulsively licking himself (until he gets hurt), maybe it’s because he’s going through a time of great stress or anxiety. If you have these symptoms, you may want to lick or suck on other surfaces and objects such as fabric, plastics, toys, etc. This relieves your tensions.
4. As a joke
Playing with our pet is really cute. For cats, licking their peers reminds them of childhood, when they were not yet separated from their siblings and mother. This bond he created with you must not be severed. That’s why if he licks you in the middle of the game, let him do it. He’s saying he’s having so much fun! Remember that the chemicals you release during play allow you to relax and get comfortable.
5. As a territorial delimitation
Cats are very territorial. They try to make their mark to let everyone know he lives there. He even considers you his property and that’s why he licks you. The particles that expel through saliva are fixed on you and then you are already “marked”.
6. How to exchange smells
If your kitten has been a bit obsessed lately with licking his fingers and hands, maybe you’ve manipulated objects that catch his attention. It is normal for him to want to lick after you cook, work with plants or certain items .
My cat licks me: what to do?
If you have a playful cat, it will likely lick you first and then bite you. This behavior is not meant to punish him, of course not… since for them it’s a joke, simple fun, he doesn’t do it meanly, and of course the bites should be gentle.
Otherwise, you must teach him not to. Pay attention if he bites a lot and if his fur is ruffled, because this is a sign that something is not right. or that he is engaging in aggressive behavior that should be eliminated.
Be patient with your kitten, if he was recently separated from his mother and adopted him as a protector, because he will lick you all the time. The same happens if you are a mother who has already had several puppies and has already been adopted by other families.
Beyond any explanation, if your cat licks you, you should consider it an unparalleled gesture of love and love. . That means he has a good connection with you and that he loves you a lot.
