JaneA Kelley, a cat behavior consultant in Washington, D.C., says, “Is there any way to gently get my cats to stop licking me?”
In fact, this is not just Kelley’s question, but also the question of many loyal cat servants who serve their feline overlords day and night. Cats have many strange behaviors, and one of them is licking on their humans. But why do they lick?
Read more: 9 Things Your Cat Does For You Without You Knowing
1. Licking is a way to bond
First of all, you should know that kittens and adult cats, even if they are not related, can still get along and be affectionate with each other. In a loving way, they rub their heads, rub their bodies, and lick each other’s heads or inside their ears.
In fact, they exchange scents through grooming. This also strengthens the bond between two cats, so they can live together more harmoniously.
If you apply this to a cat licking you, it means that your cat just wants to be friends with you.
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2. Licking is a way of showing affection
Cats are considered to be animals that always care about their owners – especially those activities that are beneficial to them. The licking of your cat is an act that shows that they feel very safe when they are with you.
This means that you are truly considered a member of their family. In other words, the way your cat licks you to clean you is similar to the way its mother licked it when it was a kitten.
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3. But it could also be because they are anxious
Sometimes, when cats are stressed or anxious, they will lick themselves frantically. This behavior is known as feline psychogenic alopecia. Sometimes, your cat may chew on a piece of cloth, plastic, or even lick your skin.
In short, there are many reasons why your cat might lick you, but they do not mean to harm you. In these cases, take some time to play with your cat. After all, you are both friends, right?
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