Why does my cat lick me? 6 common reasons

Highlights

• Cats lick humans primarily as a form of affection and social bonding; they may even be marking their scent or trying to groom you.
• Licking mimics how mother cats groom kittens; this behaviour is primarily to show trust, but it can also be to gain your attention or simply because they like your taste.
• The licking behaviour can release feel-good endorphins, helping your cat to feel content, or to help soothe them if something is wrong.

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. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the reasons why your cat licks, and answer key questions, including: why does my cat lick me to show their affection, and what does it mean if a cat licks you when they’re not happy? We’ll also consider whether you should let your feline lick you, and why a lick can be followed by a bite!

What does it mean when a cat licks you?

The reasons why cats lick you are numerous, but six of the most common reasons for licking are:

• Showing the affection
• Wanting to clean or groom you
• Marking their scent
• Enjoying the taste of your skin
• To seek your attention
• To self-soothe

It’s useful to delve into each motivation in more detail to work out what it means if a cat licks you, 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 licks you gently, this will often signal trust and affection, and this is true whether they are licking other cats, pets in the household or humans. 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 another form. Are cats actually kissing you with their licks? Whilst licks are often a loving gesture, there are many other interpretations of what it means if 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 foreign bodies or 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, which 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 they like the taste. For example, the residue of sweat on your body is appealingly salty, or you may have food remnants on your hand that smell 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 to 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 cat, and could be because they want you to pet them straight away – or even more likely, it’s 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 their living area. If it continues, you can talk to the vet about what it means when your cat wants to lick you a lot, and if there’s a medical reason behind it.

Why do cats lick you then bite you?

You may be wondering: why do cats lick you sometimes before biting you? This can happen if they’re not enjoying being handled or want to be left alone. 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.

Should it hurt when your cat licks you?

You may be wondering what it means when a cat licks you hard, or repeatedly, but it won’t be their intention to hurt 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, and removing dead hair during washing and grooming. 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 over and over in the same place, it can become sore.

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. Praise them when they interact without licking.
• Distraction techniques – when your cat starts to lick you, use a treat-filled toy as a distraction.
• 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 can be a very normal behaviour. You should only talk to your vet if the licking becomes excessive.

While the risk of contracting a disease from a cat licking a human is generally low, it is possible for cats to transmit zoonotic infections through their saliva, particularly if it contacts open wounds, mucous membranes (mouth, nose), or a person’s face. So, as a general rule for health and safety purposes, we advise against allowing your cat to lick you.

Why not discover the many other ways that cats show affection beyond licking?

Cat licks FAQs

Should you let your cat lick you?

It’s 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. Be careful letting your cat lick children, as it can be followed by a bite, and always wash your hands after.

Do cat licks mean kisses?

Are you wondering why does my cat lick me, and is it a cat kiss? Many owners consider affectionate licking as a cat’s version of a kiss, as it’s a form of bonding and trust, especially if it’s accompanied by kneading, cuddling up, or a gentle head butt.