All of us love our lovely felines — from their purrfect little stares to their tough, bristled tongues that lick us as if we’re a tasty snack. However what does it imply when a cat licks you? It’s a standard query that many mother and father take into consideration.
Many assume kitties lick them as a certain signal of affection – which isn’t that far off. Whereas it’s tough to find out whether or not cats really feel feelings akin to love, licking generally is a signal of affection.
Mom cats lick their kittens as a part of the grooming course of, which continues into maturity. The follow whereby the identical species of animals groom one another has a particular title allogrooming.
On this article, we’ll clarify some doable causes behind your kitty’s licking habits.
What Does it Imply When a Cat Licks You a Lot? 9 Causes Why
Oh, the feline tongue – it may be as cute as something when her small pink tongue peeks out somewhat from her mouth as she delicately grooms herself otherwise you. There are a number of totally different causes and meanings behind why your cat licks you with its sandblasting tongue.
1. It’s Displaying Affection
You most likely end up questioning, “is my cat licking me a sign of affection?” In the identical manner that you pet your cat to point out affection, your feline might return the favor by providing you with a lick – or ten.
These tough and heat sentiments can imply the identical as a easy kiss. Chances are high, your cat is simply expressing their love for you in among the finest methods they know the way. Simply as how your candy kitty was licked and groomed by her loving mom, your cat might be replicating this conduct, too.
Mom cats lick their kittens for the next causes:
- To develop a bond
- To assist hold them clear
- To encourage them to drink her milk
- To encourage them to urinate and defecate
- To show kittens learn how to handle their fur
The above causes present that grooming conduct typically comes from a sort place.
2. Cats Lick to Mark You as Their Territory
Cats use pheromones to mark their territory. Whereas male cats mark their property by “spraying” on what’s ‘theirs,’ cats can declare you as theirs in different methods too.
Licking, headbutting, and kneading their homeowners are a few of the different methods felines declare people as a part of their territory – affectionately.
When your kitty licks or headbutts in opposition to you, it’s reaffirming that you’re vital to them. They’re additionally leaving their scent for different cats to know that you simply’re spoken for.
So, subsequent time your kitty licks you, consider it as should you’ve been accepted into their inside circle.
3. They’re Grooming You
Felines are infamous for protecting clear. They like to lounge round, licking themselves pristine and napping all through the day. A wholesome cat has a well-maintained, neat look.
So, what does it imply if a cat licks you? Regardless that your kitty might not be conscious that grooming received’t truly make it easier to ‘get clean,’ this conduct is pure for them. As we already talked about, Mommy cats lick their kittens to show them learn how to groom, in addition to present affection and set up bonds.
Research have proven that allogrooming is most frequently carried out between members of the identical household.
Whereas the concept of us being lined in cat saliva might not align with human hygiene requirements, it’s an vital conduct on your feline that promotes bonding and will even present that your cat desires to incorporate you of their social group.
4. When a Cat Licks You, She Tastes One thing Attention-grabbing
Spilled one thing tasty in your arm? Don’t get a shock to search out your furry good friend sliding up subsequent to you to get a lick of it.
Though cats’ tongues are made for grooming, they’ve a way more muted sense of style compared to people. In truth, felines are one of many solely mammals that aren’t in a position to style one thing candy. Poor them!
Your kitty could also be licking you as a result of they style one thing attention-grabbing in your pores and skin.
The salty residue in your pores and skin from the day’s warmth or exercise can style attention-grabbing to your feline.
5. Your Kitty is Feeling Anxious
What does it imply when a kitten licks you? Licking people and different cats generally is a signal that your cat is feeling calm. Confusingly, anxiousness can be a purpose for licking. Perhaps one other solution to see it’s how we people want hugs when anxious or harassed; our cats discover the necessity to lick.
Though extreme licking can point out a medical difficulty, more often than not, when your kitty licks you, it’s a coping mechanism for coping with their anxiousness.
It’s possible you’ll discover your feline grooming you after experiencing a change of their atmosphere, akin to transferring to a brand new dwelling or the arrival of a brand new pet. Sometimes, this type of licking isn’t something it is best to fear about.
It’s best to take note of the context surrounding any adjustments in your kitty’s conduct. Lengthy-term environmental stress can result in circumstances akin to feline psychogenic alopecia.
When you have a suspicion that your fur child is affected by stress, contact your veterinarian as quickly as doable for recommendation.
6. They’re Searching for Consideration
Cats licking might be an invite to affix playtime or for cuddles. In case your cat is extra food-orientated, they could be asking for scrumptious cat meals or a tasty snack.
In case your cat licks you after you’ve been away for some time, they could be on the lookout for your consideration.
Licking will be the identical as every other attention-seeking conduct of your kitty, akin to pawing, meowing, kneading, headbutting, or sitting on you. If that’s the case, seize a cat toy or a grooming brush and provides your kitty some consideration.
7. It’s a Survival Technique
What does it imply in case your cat licks you? Cats are accustomed to washing themselves and one another after consuming so as to eradicate food-associated proof. It is a cat’s survival technique in nature to guard themselves from predators which will discover them by following a lingering scent.
Your cat pal could also be licking you to de-scent you out of your day’s snacks to maintain you (and her) ‘safe.’
8. They Assume You Are Careworn
A cat will lick one other cat if it thinks it must settle down. That is, after all, what mom cats do to their kittens. Your cat might be way more conscious of your moods than you may notice. In case your cat thinks you might be harassed or upset, it might be licking you that can assist you to settle down and, due to this fact, make it easier to to really feel higher.
Cats are literally unbelievable companions for individuals who have anxiousness. Petting and cuddling your kitty is confirmed to cut back stress. In truth, cats are in a position to inform whenever you’re anxious, and also you’ll discover that they’re particularly cuddly whenever you’re not feeling your finest. Permitting your cat to sit in your lap whereas they purr away is one other nice solution to scale back stress.
9. Cats Lick You to Pay You the Final Praise
When a cat licks you, it might be telling you that it feels fully secure in your presence. Your cat is saying that you’re actually a member of its household as a result of it’s treating you as its mom handled it.
Cats will be specific about who they belief. Most cats don’t take to new folks as rapidly as canines do. In truth, felines are prone to take a look at you out for a short time earlier than they’ve totally accepted your presence. So if a cat provides you a couple of moist, sandpapery kisses, know that it’s one of many highest compliments in cat language.
Why Does It Damage When My Cat Licks Me?
Now that you recognize all of the solutions to “what does it mean when cats lick you?” there are most likely a couple of follow-up questions in thoughts.
You may be questioning, “why does it hurt when my cat licks me?” The reality is {that a} cat’s tongue is roofed in tiny spines known as papillae. These papillae are comprised of keratin which can be present in our fingernails or your cat’s claws.
These backward-facing, barb-looking style buds are important for getting knots and particles out of your cat’s fur. While you don’t have the suitable limbs to make use of a comb, you need to get creative.
Along with grooming, cats’ tongues serve many sensible features:
- It helps take away flesh from bones.
- Licking can take away the scent of prey after a meal.
- Helps coat well being by eradicating meals and particles from their coats and selling oil distribution
So, when your candy feline licks you – rubbing their spine-covered tongues in your pores and skin – it’s prone to really feel somewhat uncomfortable. Particularly in case your cat does this excessively in the identical place, it might really feel like sandpaper rubbing in opposition to you; nonetheless, they do imply effectively. And it’s not their fault that you simply aren’t lined in a thick layer of fur.
How Do I Discourage My Cat From Licking Me?
While the occasional lick out of your kitty generally is a nice expertise, in case your cat actually enjoys licking you steadily, it might grow to be a bit greater than you desire to. Nonetheless, as cat mother and father, we all know they imply effectively. Most homeowners don’t wish to push their cats away after they exhibit these behaviors as they’re involved that their cats may really feel rejected.
The easiest way to cut back the quantity that your cat is licking you with out offending them is to offer a distraction. An effective way to do that is with cat toys. Get a couple of stimulating cat toys that they will chase and roll round with. Begin enjoying along with your cat whereas it’s licking you, and it’ll quickly be extra targeted on its favourite feather toy moderately than you.
If play doesn’t work, you’ll be able to attempt treats as a distraction. Nonetheless, do watch out with this path, as in case your cat begins to affiliate extreme licking with extra meals, your downside might worsen moderately than higher.
There are various totally different solutions to ‘why does my cat lick me?’ Total, it’s an indication of social bonding and paying you a praise. It can be a manner on your cat to de-stress after they’re feeling anxious and mark you as their territory. It’s as much as you to find out which one most accurately fits your feline’s character.
Whereas our cats lick us for a number of causes, it’s principally affectionate. So, subsequent time your kitty begins to lick away at you, give them a delicate pet and really feel honored to be thought-about part of their household.
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Amanda created and owns The Discerning Cat. A lifelong cat lover she is the proud mother or father of two Siberian cats, Alexei and Vladimir. She is keen about understanding cats and totally different cat breeds.
