Why does my cat lick me?

Being licked by a cat can feel a bit like taking a bath with a loofah made of sandpaper. But licking and grooming is just a natural part of being a cat – right alongside those midnight zoomie sessions. But when they start licking you, it can be uncomfortable.

What does it mean when your cat licks you, and how can you stop it? Read on.

When they’re not dreaming of treats, scratching your furniture, or “gently” reminding you it’s dinner time (even when it’s not), your cat will probably be busy grooming. They actually spend about 25% of their awake time thoroughly licking their fur. Groups of cats will also groom each other to bond and get to the bits they can’t reach themselves. So it’s perfectly natural that they will also want to lick their humans for various reasons.

If your cat is fond of giving you a spit bath, you’ve probably wondered why? Do you taste good? Are they trying to tell you to bathe more?. There could be a few different answers to the mystery.

Cats groom each other to show affection and strengthen bonds. Seeing as they basically own you, it’s no wonder why they’d lick to you to feel closer. It’s a way of showing affection and nurturing your relationship.

Another reason your cat keeps trying to lick you could be because they want some attention. In the past, you’ve probably rewarded your cat’s licking by chatting to them, stroking them, or giving them attention another way. They have basically trained you to give them attention when they kiss you.

We all know that we don’t own our cats. They own us. And they mark things they own or others in their group to help identify them. They do this by scratching things, rubbing their cheeks on them, or licking things to leave their scent. Congratulations, you now smell like a cat.

If your cat is trying to suckle or knead you while they lick you, it could be because they were weaned too early. It's what they do when suckling their mum. And they could be doing it for comfort.

Alternatively, your cat could just think you’re tasty or want to investigate a particularly interesting smell. Human sweat contains salts and sugars that your cat might like to lick (yum). Or perhaps you put on a tasty-smelling lotion? Either way, your cat likes the smell and wants to have a taste.

If your cat is feeling a bit stressed or anxious, they might be licking you as a displacement behaviour. That means they have feelings of conflict or uncertainty in their environment. Usually, they stick to themselves and groom excessively. But sometimes, they can start licking you too.

Try to reduce any anxiety triggers for them, and if you’re ever concerned about how much they lick you or themselves, book an appointment with your vet.

Issues like nausea, pain, or discomfort can cause your cat to lick you and objects. If they’ve suddenly started licking things they didn’t before, or if they obsessively lick you to the point of concern, take them to the vet.

There’s no danger in letting your cat lick you, although it can be a tad uncomfortable. But because they have bacteria in their saliva, it’s best not to let them lick your face or any cuts or wounds to avoid infections.

Cats have burrs on their tongues that help to catch loose hair and dirt and “comb” it out of their hair as they groom themselves. Unfortunately, these burrs (called papillae) feel very rough on our human skin and can hurt if they lick the same spot repeatedly.

It’s good to know our cats love us. But that tongue is scratchy. It can be annoying or even painful for your cat to lick you a lot, so you might want to stop it from happening.

It’s important to never punish your cat for licking. It’s a natural part of being a cat, and punishments like yelling, spraying them with water, or any other way can damage your bond. 

Instead, redirect their attention. Some redirections can include: using a toy to distract them, giving them treats and praise when they interact with you in a way that isn’t licking, and covering your skin with long sleeves or trousers. 

Licking and grooming are natural parts of being a happy, healthy cat. And one of the best ways to keep them feeling their best is to feed them high-quality cat food. KatKin is designed to ensure your cat stays healthy by giving them the best diet – 100% human-quality meat! Shop our fresh cat food for thicker coats and faster zoomies