Why Do Cats Lick You? 7 Things to Know
Today’s weird science question covers a query that many cat parents have — Why do cats lick you? Kendraw says: “My cat is obsessed with licking me. She will tolerate pets, but what she really wants to do when she needs attention is to lick me anywhere she can get skin. [My cat] won’t lick my face, thank goodness, but my arm, elbow and hand are fair game! She will literally hold me down in her paws and clean me. And it’s not just a few licks; she gets quite thorough about it. I’ve tried bitter spray. No luck. I know it’s a sign of affection, but is there any way I can gently get her to stop?”
So, why do cats lick you? First, let’s talk about why cats lick you, and then give you some tips on how to persuade your cat that there are much more awesome options than grooming you until your skin is raw.
1. Why do cats lick you? Cats lick as a means of social bonding
Why do cats lick you? Cat licking is a way of bonding. Photography by Seregraff/Thinkstock.
The first step in answering “Why do cats lick you?” is knowing that kittens groom each other, and older cats who aren’t related but get along well also spend time grooming one another. Often, they’ll get the spots that are hard for a cat to reach by themselves, such as the top of the head and inside the ears. Exchanging scents through grooming also increases the bond between a pair of cats.
2. Why do cats lick you? When your cats lick you, they’re paying you a huge compliment
Another answer to the question, “Why do cats lick you?” Well, a tongue bath from your cat is an indication that she feels totally safe in your presence. You are truly a member of her family, and she reinforces that by cleaning you like her mother cleaned her when she was a kitten.
3. Why do cats lick you? Your cats might be licking you because of anxiety
Cat licking isn’t always a positive thing. Photography ©sjallenphotography | Thinkstock.
Sometimes, the answer to “Why do cats lick you?” isn’t so positive, though. Some cats get so stressed that they begin licking compulsively. (One mysterious condition is called feline hyperesthesia.) Cats who lick themselves bald are often trying to comfort themselves because they’re stressed. Other compulsive kitties might lick and suck on fabric, plastic or even your skin.
4. Ouch! Why does your cat licking you hurt or feel so rough?
Now that you’ve got a few answers to the question, “Why do cats lick you?” you probably have a few follow-up questions — like, “Why does it hurt when my cat licks me?” Your cat’s tongue feels like sandpaper because it’s covered with papillae — backward-facing hooks made of keratin, the same material that makes your cat’s claws. The papillae help cats rasp meat off bones, and they also assist in grooming by acting like a comb to pull out loose fur and dirt.
5. To stop your cat from licking you, distract her
Learn the signs that your cat is about to start licking. Before she starts washing your arm raw, redirect her attention with a toy. If your cat likes catnip, slip a catnip-filled kicker toy in front of her when she’s about to lick you. If she’s not a catnip fan, try a treat-dispensing toy instead.
6. De-stress your cats with interactive play
Healthy play is always good for your cat. It keeps your cat fit and trim, and it strengthens the bond between you. Not only that, but the chemicals released during exercise help your cat to relax and feel content.
Feeling stressed yourself? Try these natural, drug-free ways to combat stress >>
7. Be patient when your cats lick you
It’s not easy to retrain a cat who has gotten used to performing a habitual behavior such as licking. Remember to stay gentle and avoid yelling or intense physical reactions like shoving your cat or tossing her off your lap. And never, ever hit your cat.
Tell us: Have you been able to rehabilitate a compulsive licker? Please tell us in the comments how you did it.
Thumbnail: Photography ©Murika | Thinkstock.
This piece was originally published in 2015.
About JaneA Kelley: Punk-rock cat mom, science nerd, animal shelter volunteer, and all-around geek with a passion for bad puns, intelligent conversation, and role-play adventure games. She gratefully and gracefully accepts her status as chief cat slave for her family of feline bloggers, who have been writing their cat advice column, Paws and Effect, since 2003. JaneA dreams of making a great living out of her love for cats.
76 comments on “Why Do Cats Lick You? 7 Things to Know”
Trish licks/kisses me every morn to wake me up
My cat licks my hand whenever I try to pet her, and if I move it away from her, she starts to sort of hunt for it. Her eyes and head tries to get closer to it all the time, and she even reached out with her paws to grab it so she can lick it some more.
Now I don’t mind my cat licking me, but I can’t pet her without her wanting to lick my hand constnatly and without end.
Mine does the same thing. It’s crazy! He was pretty shy, when I got him in August(1+ y/o & un-neutered, which was readily “fixed”), but we’d been doing so well. Fast forward a few months: life got very stressful, causing me great depression & distress. Shortly after stuff really hit the fan, he started licking me (furniture, floor, etc) obsessively and ABRUPTLY REFUSED TO LET ME PET HIM :( Although things have calmed significantly, our relationship has worsened. He follows me from room to room and does the cute belly up thing, but when I approach him, all he wants to do is lick. It’s very frustrating and sad, as petting my kitties is very comforting for me. And more so, because it’s obvious this behavior is not normal :/ *Surprisingly, he will let me pick him up, with his paws over my shoulder, sometimes for 2-3 minutes, but eventually squirm around to try and lick my face. I guess I should do more of that.
I had a kitten who I suspect was taken from her mother too soon. She would try to nurse by sucking on my ear lobes. I broke her of this habit basically by weaning her. At first I would let her suckle for a few seconds and then turn my head, gradually cutting back on the suckling time until she eventually stopped all together. Had another who would only allow one press of the snooze button on the alarm clock. When the alarm went off the second time she would like my eye lids until I got up.Never did manage to break her of this. She trained me well.
My cat licks my elbow when i am sleeping and attempts to wake me up before my alarm goes off just about 5 minutes before it does. He also nibbles on my finger tips and meows because he wants his breakfast and does not want to wait even though his bowl is full, he wants to eat while i am awake.
Hi!
I rescued a kitten approximately 3 months ago and turns out the “dandruff” I thought she had was/is cat lice. ????
Of course my adult cat ended up with lice as well.
The battle against the lice is so slow! Any tips?
Hi Chantal,
We suggest reaching out to your vet ASAP with this concern.
Here is some insight on cat skin problems:
https://www.catster.com/cat-health-care/what-is-cat-dermatitis-and-what-can-you-do
https://www.catster.com/cat-health-care/cat-skin-problems
https://www.catster.com/lifestyle/can-people-catch-lice-from-pets-and-vice-versa
Rub Baking soda generously all over except her face every day… in 20 days you will find no lice.. it’s tested and reliable way.. your house will also become lice free.
Happy parenting!????
my cat licks me to get treats – main reason
licks when loving me
licks when dominating me – he will get behind my head pull it back with paws, then bite onto widows peak to pull back further then he licks me all over my face. I think this was the #1 reason – I gave him some treats and bingo- he learned how to get treats – very smart and cunning!
My pet Shadow licks me on my face
My younger cat , a male Turkish Van nurses my fingers . I don’t think he has anxiety . He bumps one finger at at a time and acts just like he’s nursing . This only happens when he is relaxed and decides to visit my lap .. usually once a day . He is a loving big guy .
Mine too! My cat Jazz licks me on the chin and nose while I’m sleeping or when I just wake up in the AM
I suspect that my cats lick me because they like the taste of salt on my skin. I notice that they really like to lick after I come in sweating from a few hours’ work in the hot sun. They wait until I’ve dried, and then out come the raspy little tongues!
Yep. Salt.
I have only one cat that insists on licking me and she is an edgy girl that likes to stretch out across my body when I am sitting or try to steal my food when I am eating. If I turn the tables on her by stroking her head when she tries to lick me, it is usually a successful diversion.
I’m now 47 & have had animals around me my whole life but am particularly a cat person we have been lucky enough to always be close with our pets as they are ALWAYS treated as another family member
as a result we do get occasional licks & grooming from our cats who seem to think our hair is fur lol
our cats have always cleaned my youngest 2 sons hair on a regular basis tho (the boys are now 17 & 18) and its always been a sign the boys need a haircut when the cats start grooming my boys
Our cats mainly do the head butt but also all our cats (7yo Crystal ragdoll x, 3yo Puss Puss Bengal x, & 1yo Simba ) love to roll over & get a belly scratch like dogs lol
I’m so thankful to have a close bond with our pets that they trust us this much but they return our love 100 x with their devotion to us & are our furry guardian angels when we have mental & physical health issues Apparently having 3 or more cats now makes me a crazy cat lady but my kids & I would be lost without them
first: i’m hungry, along with kneading, and “singing”. he has such a quiet lovely voice.
next: my box needs cleaning (and treats for using it, and letting me know–i’m well trained).
last: let’s play. simple. demanding voice.
“mama’s not acting right”. wife is very ill, post-cancer surgery issues, so if he feels something is Not Right, he comes, gets me, and does the Guide Kitty down the hall. usually nothing, but i’ll never discourage him.
i had a TIA several years ago, and he was loudly worried about me, and maybe i should have 911’d it, as my doctor said. Baxter was actually trying to pull me down to the floor, and was licking me to death. they’re a lot more intelligent than people think, my opinion.
excellent little article!
-O
My 5 month old kitten licks & kneads my arm every morning about 5:00 a.m. I thought maybe he missed his mom. I let him do it for a while & then put him down with his brother. He will either stay with him or get off the bed completely. He is getting better. Now he still hits my arm at the same hour, but only does it a short time before going to sleep next to me. He won’t lick my husband who sleeps next to me in the same bed. It has to be me. I don’t mind too much
I have a very bad left knee. It gets bruised up a lot. My youngest cat age 5 is persistently licking it after I had a hard bruising fall on it. Any idea why? Could he smell the blood from the bruise be why this sudden persistent licking of that area?
My 10 year old girl kitty, Vita, loves to lick my face. She also licked my eyelids. So adorable! The licking behaviour could be due to our deepening bond. She only started licking my face in the last few months. I have had her since she was only a year. She was never really much of a licker. What is happening? Could she be sensing something is wrong with my health? Is she worried about me? Is there something wrong with her health? I am thinking it is just a bonding thing because she doesn’t do it all the time, just once or twice a week when I am napping. I love her to pieces!
Hi, I have had Sophie for 8 years now. She has hardly ever licked me in past years. I was diagnosed with cancer last year and that is when her licking started. Now she licks me all of the time! When I was at my worst on chemo she would only sleep above my head and lick me constantly. She still does it too. I think they know when something is wrong with us and honestly I think it’s their way of trying to show us they love us and are trying to make us feel better. It could be for a totally different reason but that’s what I think anyway. Lol
I have an orange tabby and he likes to lick my hair sometimes. He has also likes to lick my face but I found out the hard way not to let him do that for long. A few seconds is ok but his tongue is so barbed that he literally lick my skin raw and it started bleeding. He does not try to lick me often so I don’t try to stop him but I do limit how long he can lick a spot. My other cat does not lick me as often.
@Daniel Stiverson: Your 12 year old very thirsty kitty may have hyperthyroidism. Take her to the vet for a T-4 blood test. This is especially true if she’s also eating way more then usual. Also have her tested for kidney disease. Early treatment is best.
Hi. I have a cat that likes to lick my head and then he gets my hair down his throat, so I put my hand over my head and he lwill lick it instead. My question is: He especially likes to lick my arms and hands, especially when I have applied lotion, even sunscreen. Even if the sunscreen has been on my skin for several hours, is it harmful for him to lick it?
Regarding cat licking, I consider it an extreme compliment. I have always called these kitty kisses. It has never been an extreme problem and wish it were more frequent. They are always very calm when doing so, thus my interpretation as a compliment. Such special critters.
A few years ago we adopted a mom cat and two of her tiny kittens. She had lived in an apartment parking lot and was taken in by one of the residents so she would have a safe place to give birth. A few days after the kittens were born the girl was going to put the mom and all 4 kittens in a box and leave them in a park with a sign saying “free kittens.” Not a bit safe here in Phoenix with the coyotes and birds of prey. Fortunately, another neighbor intervened and took them all to our vet. Anyway, the mom cat bathed the kittens all the time and she also likes to bathe me. She licks my arms and hands whenever she is on my lap, but her favorite is when I wear a sweatshirt She loves licking those. My wife says she thinks the sweatshirt is my fur.
My cat, Panda, is a big time licker. He was rescued and bottle fed and has been by my side since the day he was born, so he is the big baby of the group. He likes to be held like a human baby, on the side of the body with his head on a shoulder… and if you ask for kisses, he will pick up his head and lick your face. Then you get a headbutt from him.
He can be a bit of a creeper, too. When I wake up, he is usually sitting on my pillow and staring at me and you can just tell he has been there for a while, waiting. As soon as my eyes open, he licks.
I have a 15 year old cat who loves to lick. One of his nicknames is “The Lickinator” He is a very sweet kitty who was born in our house so knows nothing of life without us. He and his brother and one of our other kitties do groom one another but he licks us both.
He perches on the arm of the sofa and vulches over my husband when he is napping and “grooms” the top of his head. I get it at bedtime: he starts with a small lick on the tip of my nose, but often goes after my arms – I just stick my arm under the covers. Now he can get aggressive with my hair. I had a nightmare that I was being scalped along the hairline above the right temple area. When I woke up enough from the dream, he was licking my hairline all along that area of my face! I have been known to pull the sheet up over my head to get him to stop and he will fall asleep.
One of his brothers was also a licker; he would lick my arms, especially if I came in from outside and was hot & sweaty.
I LOVE IT WHEN MY KITTY LICKS ME. I WISH HE WOULD DO IT. ALOT MORE ❤️❤️❤️❤️
my kitten always lick my toes after i give her milk….what does this mean?
I have 2 cats obsessed with mine and my son’s ears in 2 completely different ways. storm is obsessed with trying to suckle the ear lobe while needing and pawing at your head …where as shadow doesnts suckle he is obsessed with trying to lick the inside of your ear…they tend to try do this when your sleeping. They are both happy playful affectionate cats and i am trying to get them to stop this….ah also it is mainly at say 4 to 5am in morning majority of the time any tips anyone? thanks
Hi there,
These articles might help!
http://www.catster.com/lifestyle/is-your-cat-keeping-you-awake-at-night-heres-how-to-stop-it
http://www.catster.com/lifestyle/cat-behavior-wakes-you-up-at-night-6-reasons
http://www.catster.com/lifestyle/cat-keeping-you-awake-stop-annoying-nighttime-behaviors
My newest cat starts licking me on the face at 4 am. I try to redirect her by putting my hand between her and my face. She doesn’t lick the hand; she moves to an uncovered part of the face. Then she starts love-biting the face, sometimes on the nose very close to the eye. I wake up in the morning with burns and bruises on my face. My only alternative is to leave the bedroom, but I know she sees that as rejection and I am having trouble getting by on so little sleep. Is there anything I can do about this?
Hi Tracey,
Sorry to hear you’re experiencing this. These pieces might help:
http://www.catster.com/cat-behavior/cat-meowing-at-night
http://www.catster.com/lifestyle/cat-behavior-wakes-you-up-at-night-6-reasons
http://www.catster.com/lifestyle/cat-keeping-you-awake-stop-annoying-nighttime-behaviors
http://www.catster.com/lifestyle/is-your-cat-keeping-you-awake-at-night-heres-how-to-stop-it
http://www.catster.com/lifestyle/cat-behavior-tips-care-cats-sleep-bed
http://www.catster.com/lifestyle/cat-wakes-you-up-same-time-reasons5-reasons-your-cat-wakes-you-up-at-the-same-time-every-day-without-fail
I have a new kitten that is 4 months old. She likes to cuddle on me while purring loudly. Then she starts licking me, skin, clothes, whatever.
I don’t like it. And I wonder if it will stop as she gets older.
None of my previous cats had this obsessive licking problem.
Hi Bob —
Here’s more insight into cat licking behavior:
http://www.catster.com/cat-behavior/why-is-cat-licking-you
http://www.catster.com/cat-behavior/why-do-cats-groom-humans
My kitty licks my hands, face, arms anywhere…she always does this when I’ve been out for a while and I see it as her way of greeting me.. she also does it first thing in the morning.. hey mum, you’re awake!! And she does it around 5am when she wakes up.. this is her trying to wake me up to let her out! There’s always an incredibly loud purr session while she’s exfoliating my poor skin and, if she comes to bed with me, she lives laying on my chest, stretching out her front legs, licking, outing and kneading at the same time.. that ones a killer. Strangely, despite having my skin scraped off, I feel quite privileged that she chooses to love me in her own weird kitty way
Why do cat’s lick you then bit you
Hi Jerry,
This might provide some insight into the behavior. http://www.catster.com/cat-behavior/cat-love-bites-what-do-they-mean
Does any one else have experience with a cat who licks them while they are asleep? Unfortunately, I must sleep really hard because it never wakes me up… But when I get up in the morning, I’ll have raw spots from where she licked. She’ll go after any exposed skin. Usually it’s my arms, but she’s gotten me on the face too, and actually left scars. I can’t redirect her if I’m sleeping through it. I don’t know if she needs help or if I do!
We have recently moved home and our 7 year old kitty (Oscar) now has his own private garden and he seems so happy (indoor cat previously, who was always trying to get out). However he has developed a habit of licking bed sheets, the carpet and ourselves of a night. Oscar has always slept with us and even though he moves through the night, he has always been good. He doesn’t want food, or to go out or water…he just seems to want to be with us…cute but the lack of sleep is driving us crazy and I’m not sure why and what we can do. Can anyone help please??
Why do ,s may cat like to lick plastics from water bottles from baking stuff in my box,s etc.
Hi Michelle,
This article might be helpful about cats eating weird things! http://www.catster.com/cat-food/weird-things-cats-eat
Really good article. I remember reading in the Cat Language Bible that it can also be territorial. e.g. Cleaning you / claiming you — as she would for a litter mate.
I don’t allow my kitties to lick my hair, hands, or face, IF I’m wearing making-up, lotion, hair products, or sunscreen. The chemicals in these things are not good for kitties to ingest. I DO rub their cheeks when I want to discourage licking – it distracts them, makes them very happy, and it’s impossible for them to continue licking when they are leaning into a cheek or chin rub!
Anyone else have a cat who washes their (human’s) hair when said human is laying down? (I qualified and clarified all so no one went off on a tangent about language. LOL)
Our cat Sugar, will sometimes lick my husband on the back of his head. He only has a small amount of hair but she will lick it. She’s not excessive about it but will do it for maybe a minute or two. Then she proceeds to finish her own grooming, curl up and take a cat nap.
Yes, My cat licks my hair also especially if I have products in my hair. She likes to sleep with me at night and sleeps on top of the pillow, so she about goes bezerk licking my hair.
I love it when my cats lick me! Why wold I want that to stop? One of my cats did lick my earlobe too hard and did make it painfully raw, so now I just make sure to offer alternate spots if they linger too long in one spot.
I have a cat and dog like Milo and Otis. They love each other like crazy. Cat is a licker, but I just say “no kitty” and he stops because he knows the reaction I get out of Jamo (dog) when I say the same(ish) thing.
Why does my cat lick my face every morning i tell her no push her away she gets mad at me and will give me a little bite.she does this every morning around 5 am.she wakes me up doing this.what can i do so she will stop.
Hi —
If your cat is keeping you up at night, check out these pieces:
http://www.catster.com/lifestyle/cat-behavior-tips-care-cats-sleep-bed
http://www.catster.com/cat-behavior/cat-meowing-at-night
My cat wakes up to eat and drink at 5am. I always keep dry food out and she eats when she wants. But if her bowl is empty at 5am she howls. Ususlly though, she is thirsty. She drinks a lot of water. She is 12 years old and that has always been her schedule.
My cat nagato is 8 months he dosent lick my face , he likes to nible on my ankle and lick then after also he like to lay on my pillow on top of my hair and nibble on my head and sink he’s clows into it after he does that he falls asleep on top of my hair, I don’t know if he loves me or hate me either way I love him
How do I stop my kitten from playing with my hands? He often goes after my hands and in doing so scratches them quite a bit. I want him to know my hands are for feeding, petting, picking him up, using a brush, etc., not for biting and scratching.
Darlene, it’s normal for kittens to play with our hands, so this is a behaviour your kitten will outgrow, but you’re right to discourage it. When he grabs at your hands, say “No,” firmly but calmly and walk away. Within a minute of that, get a toy that you can throw for him or dangle for him (so he’s going after the toy, not your hands) and let him work off some normal kitten energy on the toy. Never let you hand be “prey” under a blanket or towel, as smart cats learn fast that our hand is making that motion, which puts our hands back on the table as playthings. Keep your kitten’s front claws clipped short and offer him lots of scratching posts and pads. You can spray or sprinkle catnip on the scratchers to make them more enticing, and remember to praise him when he uses them. Finally, if the kitten is ever grabbing at your hands as a signal that he doesn’t want to be held or restrained, watch him for earlier signals he wants to move, such as pulling or turning away from you. The more your hands are being used for the desired things you listed, the faster he’ll understand that’s what your hands are for, and that’s all they’re for. Good luck!
My cat licks me on the face all the time, I try to give her my hand and arm but my face is her favorite spot. ( don’t worry I wash my face lol) I found it interesting because she’s the first cat I’ve had that licks I thought licking was a dog thing . I had a boy cat. R.I.P and I have a big girl whose mean and doesn’t interact w anyone but my new cat she loves to lick and play a lot. However her and the big cat don’t get along :(
Kittens also lick you because they need milk. many kittens are still ‘nursing” or need the nourishment.
Kitten milk powder can be bought at Wal-Mart or a pet store. just mix with water -while its powder-it will still need to be put in the Refrigerator . or it will spoil.
sometimes a kitten will not drink the milk if its too thick or too watery.
So many kittens are taken away from there momma cat, before they are ready. * also try to adopt there sibling. its easier with 2 then one.
you are the only one to mention what you said and it was unnecessary also the article was titled “why your cats lick you. 7 reasons”. Not 8.
Where does it say 7 reasons? It says 7 things to know.
No need to call Karen out. She was just trying to help and it’s not bad advice.
Probably I’m not the only one to mention this, but I can’t see other comments, so I just wanted to note: The title of the article is “Why Do Cats Lick You? 8 Reasons,” and the article only lists 2. Number 1 and Number 2 are the same answer: bonding and affection. Number 4 is the next time a reason is listed. The other numbers are not reasons; they’re paragraphs about the content. There’s not even a Number 8.
I have no real problems with the content. Just the format. There are more than 2 reasons, though, and I know that one of them is if you taste good, be that from salty sweat or just getting your lunch on yourself. This piece could use tweaking.
LOVED your claw anatomy piece. I’m using it as an educational reference for a project I’m on.
That was SO unnecessary.
lol right? this person just wanted to hear themselves speak. who goes off on such ridiculous semantics like that
What do you mean by unnecessary? The article says 7 reasons yet some of these aren’t reasons; they are ways to stop them from licking. Like that’s false advertisement: that’s all the person meant by that comment. Sorry he/she was smart enough to notice that and try to offer advise on formatting an article. Is help bad?
Geez people! The title does not say anything about reasons.
Ms Crystal, the link in the right-hand column titled “May We Also Recommend Our Most-Commented Stories” says “73 {in a colored talk box} Weird Cat Facts: 8 Reasons Your Cat Likes to Lick You”. That is the link you can use to get to this factoid. That may be what the commentors are referring to….
Crystal, the article is titled “*Why* do cats lick you?” [emphasis added]. I’m not sure what dialect of English you speak — what does the word “why” mean to you?
Erm, you guys saying that was unnecessary is unnecessary in itself. As is this.
Yep. These kind of comments are the reason I rarely waste my time reading comments. I wish people could post about their cat experiences. I love to read about those.
Why that thought even come into your head? This is nothing more than an article on why cats lick you..