Why do cats lick you and is it normal?

It’s normal for cats to lick their owners. They’ll usually do this to show affection and be sociable, or they could even be marking their scent or trying to groom you..  Here, In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the reasons why your cat licks you, as well as whether you should let your feline lick you, why cats lick you gently to show their affection and why a lick can be followed by a bite!        

What does it mean when a cat licks you?

The reasons why a cat licks you are numerous; from wanting to show affection or get your attention, to grooming you or marking their scent. It might also be just because you taste so good! It’s useful to delve into each motivation in more detail as part of understanding your cat’s body language in order to build an intimate bond between you and your cat.  

Cats will lick you as a sign of affection

If your cat is licking you gently, this will often signal affection and this is true whether they are licking other cats, pets in the household or indeed you. A cat is hard-wired to associate licking with caring as it is a behaviour learned from their mothers who groom their kittens from birth. It is only natural for them to carry on sharing the love with those around them, whether they come in feline or human form. Are cat licks actually kissing you with their licks? It’s a question that’s open to interpretation; while licks are often a loving gesture, there are many other reasons why a cat licks you, including annoyance and even stress.   

Cats will lick you for cleaning & grooming

Because cats’ tongues have small barbs on them, they are perfectly suited to grooming their fur almost like a brush, while ridding themselves of parasites such as fleas. Licking as a highly effective grooming technique sometimes extends to other cats (called allogrooming) so it logically follows that it should include human owners with whom they feel a close bond.  

Cats will lick you as scent marking

The more a cat scents you through licking, the more they are laying claim to you as part of their feline tribe. In the wild, licking is an important sign of recognition and territory marking. It may even be the case that other cats will be shy of getting too close as your skin smells of your cat’s scent, this indicates to any other cats: ‘stay away, this human is mine’.

Cats will lick you if you have an interesting taste

Your cat can be attracted to licking your skin because you taste good. For example, the residue of sweat on your body is appealingly salty or you may have food remnants on your hand which smells interesting to them. Don’t let your cat lick you if you’ve used a medical treatment (such as a cream or gel) or if you have just applied body lotion, as ingredients in these products could be toxic for them!      

Cats will lick you as attention seeking behaviour

What does it mean when a cat licks you while meowing or kneading your lap at the same time? This is classic attention-seeking behaviour by your feline and could be because they want you to pet them straight away or even more likely, it is time for some food or a treat! It’s not always about food though, sometimes your cat is just communicating with you.
 

Cats will lick you as a coping mechanism

If your cat is licking you excessively, or just more than usual, it can signal that they’re feeling anxious and using it as a self-soothing technique. It might be short-term and circumstantial such as reacting to the introduction of another pet into the home, or a change in where you live. If it continues, you can talk to the vet about what it means when your cat licks you a lot and if there’s a medical reason behind it.  

Why do cats lick you then bite you?

Cats can sometimes lick you to show that they are not enjoying being handled which is why it can be followed by a bite. The way you react to their licking can also affect what happens afterwards. Licking along with wagging their tails is not always a straightforward sign of contentment and can signal annoyance, proving the point that cat behaviour is often complicated and requires a deeper understanding than that of dogs. 

Should it hurt when your cat licks you?

It can sometimes hurt when your cat licks you because the barbs on their tongue called papillae grate against your skin and can feel painful. Made of the same material as your cat’s claws, they are designed for carnivorous activities such as removing meat from bones. While this sandpaper-like quality is great for effective feeding, it’s not so good for human hands and arms; meaning if your cat licks you in the same place repeatedly, it can become sore.

Should you let your cat lick you?

It is okay to let your cat lick your hands and arms but avoid your face, especially if your immune system is compromised as cats carry bacteria in their mouths. While some research indicates that cat saliva contains histatins, which can help wounds heal quicker, the bacteria and parasites present in a cat’s mouth mean that cuts and grazes should not be licked by your cat either. Be especially careful letting your cat lick children as a lick can be followed by a bite.

How to stop your cat from licking you?

There are a number of ways to stop your cat from licking you including:

• Behaviour interruption -  standing up and walking away if your cat starts to lick you shows you’re unhappy; after a week or so they should learn that licking doesn’t result in the attention that they seek   
• Positive reinforcement – as a cat lick is an honour, often rooted in trust, do not reprimand them too harshly and praise them when they interact without licking
• Distraction techniques – when your cat starts to lick you, use a treat-filled toy as a distraction, especially one filled with catnip that is often irresistible
• Wear a long-sleeved top; if your cat tries to lick you it will be more difficult for them to find or reach any exposed skin

As the reason why cats lick you is largely a sign of affection, it is normal behaviour. You should only talk to your vet if the licking becomes excessive. It’s entirely up to you if you want to stop it or not, and may just depend on whether you like the rough texture of their tongue on your skin. Read on to discover the many other ways that cats show affection beyond licking.