Why Do Cats Lick People?
Cats lick people for a variety of reasons. One of the main reasons is to show affection. For cats, licking is a way to strengthen social bonds, similar to kissing or hugging for humans. When a cat licks you, it is showing that it cares about you and sees you as part of its social group.
Another reason cats lick is for grooming purposes. Cats spend much of their days cleaning and grooming themselves, and they may choose to groom their human companions as well. By licking you, a cat may be trying to clean your skin or hair in the same way it would groom itself. This is a sign that your cat sees you as part of its family.
Cats also lick out of curiosity. They have an excellent sense of taste and smell, so they may lick you to get more information about where you’ve been or what you’ve eaten recently. Licking allows cats to pick up chemical cues from your skin and better understand their environment.
In some cases, excessive licking can be a sign of a medical issue. Cats may lick or groom excessively when bothered by allergies, parasites, infections, or other skin irritations. If your cat suddenly begins licking you much more than normal, it’s a good idea to take it to the vet for an exam.
Is a Cat’s Lick Really a Kiss?
A kiss, as defined for humans, is when two people touch each other’s lips as a sign of love, friendship or greeting. Cats obviously do not kiss in this way. However, when a cat licks a human, some people interpret this as a type of “kiss” from the cat. This is because licking behaviors in cats can signify affection.
Mother cats lick their kittens as a form of grooming and bonding. Therefore, when cats lick and groom humans, it may replicate those feelings of comfort and closeness experienced with their mother. As explained by Dr. Leslie Lyons Sperling, cats see grooming and licking as social bonding between family and group members. So licks are often a cat’s way of showing trust and affection for their human caretakers.
However, while licking may signal a cat’s fondness, cats do not actually kiss in the same way humans do. Licking is part of feline grooming instincts, not an intentional gesture of kissing. But many cat owners are still happy to interpret their pet’s licks as a sign of cat kisses and kitty cuddles!
Health Risks of Cat Saliva
Cat saliva can contain harmful bacteria and parasites that can cause infections or diseases if transmitted to humans. Some of the main risks include:
Bacteria – Cats carry bacteria like Pasteurella multocida and Bartonella henselae (the cause of Cat Scratch Fever) in their saliva. These bacteria can be transferred through bites and scratches and lead to infected wounds or abscesses in humans. Cat bites have high infection rates, with studies showing 30-80% of cat bites becoming infected[1].
Parasites – Parasites like Toxoplasma gondii can be transmitted from cats to humans through ingestion of cat feces or saliva. Toxoplasmosis infection in healthy adults is usually minor but can cause serious complications in infants and immunocompromised individuals[2].
Increased infection risk – Cat saliva in an open wound or in the eyes can lead to bacterial infection. Ingestion of cat saliva may also pose an increased risk of gastrointestinal infections. People with weakened immune systems, the elderly, and young children face higher risks of infection from cat saliva[3].
Overall, cat saliva can contain potentially harmful microorganisms. While healthy adults face low risks from cat licks, bites should be monitored closely and at-risk individuals should take precautions to avoid transmission of bacteria and parasites from cat saliva.
When Cats Over-groom
Cats groom themselves regularly as part of their normal hygiene routine, but sometimes excessive licking and grooming can become problematic. Over-grooming refers to when a cat spends an abnormally long time licking, chewing, and scratching at their fur and skin, sometimes causing hair loss or skin irritation.
The most common causes of over-grooming in cats are stress and boredom. Cats are very sensitive creatures and can become anxious due to changes in environment, schedule, diet, or their relationships with humans or other pets. A bored cat with excess energy may start over-grooming to occupy themselves. The repetitive motion can become compulsive over time [1] .
Excessive licking and scratching can lead to patchy fur loss or bald spots, especially on the belly, legs, tail, and paws. The irritated skin may become red, inflamed, or scabbed from the cat’s rough tongue. This can become a vicious cycle, as the irritation then causes the cat to lick and scratch even more [2].
If your cat is showing signs of over-grooming, it’s important to identify and address the root cause. Strategies may include reducing stressors, providing more enrichment activities, or using calming pheromones. In severe cases, medication or other interventions recommended by your vet may be necessary.
Stopping Excessive Licking
Excessive licking and over-grooming in cats can be caused by anxiety, stress, boredom, or skin irritation. Identifying the underlying cause is an important first step in stopping the behavior.
Reducing stressors in the cat’s environment can help, whether it’s limiting loud noises, introducing calming pheromones, or ensuring the cat has a quiet place to retreat. Providing extra play time, toys, cat trees, and other forms of enrichment can also help distract compulsive lickers.
Discouraging the licking response itself may be needed as well. Putting an Elizabethan collar on the cat or using bitter anti-lick sprays on the over-groomed areas interrupts the behavior. Anti-anxiety medication prescribed by a vet may also be required in severe cases. Ultimately, determining and resolving the root cause along with interrupting the licking habit is key to stopping excessive grooming.
For more information see: https://www.thesprucepets.com/how-to-stop-cat-over-grooming-554052
Interpreting Cat Licks
A cat’s licking often carries meaning, so pay attention to the location on your body, frequency, and your cat’s body language. Licks to your hand or arm are likely signs of affection. Frequent licking of a particular area may indicate a health issue or irritation for the cat. Look for a relaxed body posture and upright tail with affectionate licks. Aggressive, excessive licking paired with ears back and tail down could signal over-grooming or distress. Context clues like where, when and how your cat licks provide insight into their motivation.
While licks are usually harmless, excessive licking of areas like wounds or broken skin could lead to infection per veterinarians (https://www.thesprucepets.com/why-does-my-cat-lick-me-551816). Monitor areas your cat frequently targets and limit licks or grooming of irritated spots when necessary. Overall, look at the whole picture of your cat’s body language and behavior to decipher their licking. Affectionate, occasional licks are completely normal and help strengthen your bond.
Encouraging Positive Licking
Grooming through licking can be a wonderful way for a cat to bond with their human companion. With some training and positive reinforcement, you may be able to encourage your cat to show affection through licking. Here are some tips:
Make grooming time rewarding. Give your cat treats or verbal praise when they lick you gently. This helps reinforce that licking is a positive bonding behavior. Just be careful not to overfeed treats.
Initiate regular playtime. Playing with interactive toys is a great way to bond with your cat. End each play session by offering your hand or cheek to lick. This associates play with grooming.
Keep their environment enriching. Make sure your cat has appropriate scratching posts, cat trees, and toys. A mentally stimulated cat will be less likely to exhibit obsessive licking behavior.
Cats have scent glands on their lips and licking deposits those soothing pheromones onto you. With time and positive reinforcement, your cat may learn that gentle licks are a way to show affection.
When to See the Vet
Excessive licking in cats can be a sign of an underlying medical issue and should be evaluated by a veterinarian. Some signs that indicate a vet visit is needed include:
- Excessive grooming beyond the cat’s normal routine
- Hair loss, bald spots, or sores from overgrooming
- Changes in behavior such as anxiety, irritability, or lethargy
- Areas of skin that are moist, reddened or inflamed from repeated licking
- Licking at or nibbling on certain body parts persistently
- Difficulty using the litter box or blood in the urine, which may indicate urinary tract issues
Excessive licking is the cat’s way of trying to soothe discomfort or pain. The underlying cause could be anything from allergies, infections, dental problems, joint pain or gastrointestinal issues. A veterinarian can perform diagnostic tests and exams to determine the reason for the excessive grooming behavior.
Getting to the root of the problem is key, rather than just treating the symptoms. Medication may be prescribed to reduce inflammation or fight infection. Dietary changes or supplements may help for allergies. Surgery or dental work may be required if those are the primary issues.
While waiting for a vet appointment, an Elizabethan collar can be used to prevent the cat from overgrooming and causing further damage to the skin. Any sores should be cleaned and monitored for signs of infection. Trying to identify what triggers the licking response can also help narrow down causes.
With proper treatment of the underlying condition, excessive licking generally resolves. Catching it early improves the prognosis and can prevent complications or permanent damage from occurring. So consult a vet as soon as problematic licking behavior arises.
Licking vs Biting
There is a big difference between when a cat licks you versus bites you. Licking is often a sign of affection, while biting has an entirely different meaning.
When cats lick people, it’s typically a social grooming behavior similar to what they do with other cats. It’s thought they inherited this instinct from their wild ancestors as a way to strengthen social bonds within their colony. So in most cases, kitty licks can be seen as a cat kiss – just their way of showing fondness and care.
Biting, on the other hand, is not a sign of affection. Cat bites, even playful nips, should not be confused with licking or kisses. Bites are more likely to signal overstimulation, fear, pain or aggression (Source). If your cat goes from licking to biting you, it usually means “stop” or “that’s enough”. The bite serves as a warning to cease petting or interaction.
In some cases, chronic biting can signal an underlying medical issue. But typically, cat bites indicate your cat is feeling irritated, scared or frustrated with the situation. It’s important not to scold or punish for biting, as that can make matters worse. Instead, respect the boundaries being set and don’t force interactions if kitty seems distressed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Cats licking their owners is a common behavior that often leads to some frequently asked questions. Here are some common questions about cat licking and the explanations behind them:
Why has my cat started licking me all of a sudden?
If your cat has suddenly started licking you more than usual, it could be a sign of affection, bonding, or wanting attention. However, excessive licking can also indicate anxiety, stress or a medical issue. Look for other symptoms and see a vet if concerned (Source: https://www.petplace.com/article/cats/diseases-conditions-of-cats/everything-you-need-to-know-about-cat-licking).
Is my cat licking then biting me out of aggression?
Not necessarily. Light nibbling or gentle biting after licking is usually a sign of affection. However, if the bites are hard and accompanied by other signs like hissing or swatting, it could indicate irritation, overstimulation, or aggression. Redirect with a toy if your cat gets too rough (Source: https://be.chewy.com/behavior-pet-body-language-why-does-my-cat-lick-me/).
Should I be concerned about germs from cat licks?
Healthy cats pose little risk of transmitting germs from licking alone. However, bacteria from their mouths can enter open wounds, so clean any scratches or bites right away. People with weakened immune systems should avoid prolonged direct licking. Overall the bonding benefits usually outweigh potential risks (Source: https://www.dutch.com/blogs/cats/why-does-my-cat-lick-me).
