Why Does My Cat Lick Me in the Middle of the Night? 5 Vet-Reviewed Reasons
If you are a cat person, you have probably received several licks from your cat. But why would your cat be licking you in the middle of the night? Are they trying to express love? Or are they trying to alert you about something? It could be anything. We all know that cats are strange, but there are very few instances in which you’d welcome an interruption of sleep for a licking session.
Below, we’ve listed five possible reasons for this behavior.
The 5 Possible Reasons Why Your Cat Licks You in the Middle of the Night?
1. To Groom You
According to your feline friend, there is no such thing as clean enough. You could always use some extra grooming. It also does not help that their highly-tuned senses pick up the faintest smells. Of course, they could clean you during the day, but you are either too busy or not around for a proper grooming session. So, your cat might wait for you to sleep so that they can clean you thoroughly. Grooming another cat or a human is a sign of affection and is used to establish a social group, so think of it as a privilege if your cat decides to groom you. However, they should really rethink their timing.
2. To Bond and Show Affection
As mentioned, grooming is the most common way cats express affection. It starts with mothers licking their kittens. Your cat wants to show you affection, too. Therefore, it does not matter to your cat if it is in the middle of the night. You can get the licks at any place and at any time.
3. To Mark You
If you didn't know, you belong to your cat, not vice versa. It also does not matter to them whether you acknowledge that or not as long as other cats do. So, how will other cats know that you belong to another feline?
They will know by the distinct scent you always have on you: your cat’s scent. Cats transfer their scent through a myriad of ways, including licking and rubbing. You may notice that your kitty is more wary around you if you spend time with another cat during the day.
This is because they smell the other cat’s scent on you. Therefore, to avoid making your kitty insecure, limit the frequency you interact with foreign cats. You will often notice that your cat will try to again mark you with their scent with extra rubbing, in order to reclaim you back.
4. Your Skin is Salty
Sweat is extremely salty. To some cats, the smell and taste of sweat might be interesting. Your cat could be licking you at night because they want to lick the salt off you.
5. Your Cat is Anxious or Stressed
Some house felines may lick excessively when they are under pain or stress. They lick not only themselves but also other objects and people around them.1 Often, it is an indication that they need some soothing. Cats may also lick you when they feel that you are anxious or upset. That could be their way of soothing you.
Stopping Your Cat from Licking You
Despite their good intentions, you might not appreciate it when your cat interrupts your sleep to lick you, and licking sessions can be rough. Unlike a dog’s smooth tongue, a cat’s tongue is covered by numerous backward-facing hooks known as papillae.2
These sharp hooks are made of keratin, which is the same material found in claws and nails. That is why you might not like the sensation of your cat’s tongue against your skin.
The best way of dealing with this behavior at night is by locking your kitty out of the bedroom, or engaging in rigorous playtime before bed in order to properly tire them out. During the day, distraction works better. Avoid getting upset at your cat, as you may only scare them and compromise your bond. Raising your voice and picking them up is also a way you give them attention, be it in a negative way, which may also encourage them to continue this behavior.
Conclusion
Whether you like it or not, you have to tolerate some licking from your cat. Fortunately, most cats lick their owners because they care about them or like how they taste. However, late-night licking is unpleasant, especially if it wakes you up. Instead of yelling at your cat every time it happens, you can keep them out of the bedroom when you go to sleep. During the day, ensure you spend time playing with your cat. It may convince them to reduce their nighttime licking if they feel tired before bedtime.
See also:
Featured Image Credit: MegSopki, Shutterstock
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Christian started writing for a local newspaper as a teenager, and he's been involved in the publishing industry for most of his adult life. Combining his love of writing with a passion for animals, he is currently the Director of Editorial at Pangolia and the Editor-in-Chief at Catster.
Christian lives in the Philippines with his wife, son, and four rescue cats: Trixie, Chloe, Sparky, and Chopper.
