Cats are the perfect pets to have in your home. They’re smart, cute, and they can give you much-needed company when you’re feeling lonely.
Cat owners also sometimes notice that their cat will lick them.
But, what does it mean when a cat licks you? Is it affectionate or aggressive? And why do cats lick in the first place? The answer to these questions may surprise you!
Here are some reasons why cats might lick their humans.
Why do cats lick?
If you leave your bathroom without having a towel to dry off after your bath, your cat will often start licking you to make sure you’re clean.
“I’ve found cats will often lick humans that don’t cover their bodies, which can happen if the animal doesn’t have a towel,” says the blog Doctoring Cats.
This means that cats need to use their sense of smell to check for bacteria or viruses that may be present on you.
When Cats Knead Cats will often knead their human hands to relieve tension. “Cats kneading their humans feels therapeutic and is soothing,” says Kitty Field of Kitty Field at Claws Claws Claws. “Cats are drawn to our bodies to play with.”
A cat will try to make contact with us if we are moving around.
What does it mean when a cat licks you?
Cats that are more likely to lick their human companions might actually like them, but they might also be trying to mark them as their territory.
Cats that are more likely to lick their human companions might actually like them, but they might also be trying to mark them as their territory. If a cat licks their human companion, it’s likely because they’re trying to establish the territory between them.
Just like their wild relatives, domestic cats have many territorial traits, such as straightening out their fur and scraping their paws on a person’s clothes to “mark” them.
Some cats like to run straight up a person’s body to their face in order to rub their chin on the face, while others will walk up and down a human’s legs in order to “mark” them as a bed, food, or play spot.
The different types of cat licks
First of all, the behavior of licking is individual.
Some cats lick to communicate with their humans, while others do it to play. Some cats just like to lick. They don’t do it to ask for something, but it’s just their thing! And it helps them fight their internal impulses.
However, many cats lick because they’re physically uncomfortable. Whether the cat wants to play or not, a cat is always seeking to enjoy its surroundings.
As a result, a cat is always fighting urges to pick something up and take a nap. Some cats even curl up so they can’t move for hours!
Some cats lick in an attempt to relieve the discomfort they feel. They’re constantly irritated by their surroundings, but only their cat’s saliva can soothe that discomfort.
How to react to your cat licking you
Let’s talk about how to react to your cat licking you when it happens. You can react positively or negatively to your cat’s actions.
Many people find cat licks cute.
On the other hand, some people find them annoying.
In this case, you should ask your cat if they want you to pet them. This way, you can let them know that you prefer to have a cat that licks, rather than a cat that bites.
Don’t force your cat to do something they don’t want to do. Let them lick when they’re in the mood.
Conclusion
Every cat lover knows that their cat loves them and they will give their love in return.
This is called reciprocity.
However, cats don’t always give and don’t always take; that’s why they need the comfort and company of their owners. When you make sure to stroke and interact with your cat, they will feel loved, which will then make them happier.
While they might lick you out of affection, it’s also a sign of their anxiety.
They’re more afraid of something happening to you than they are of something happening to themselves.
Do your cat a favour and pay attention to what they’re doing. You’ll always know where they’re coming from.