Let's try to understand the reasons and meaning of this behavior of cats
We will tell you what factors influence a cat's licking of a person, how it is connected with its instincts, emotions and social relationships.
You will learn how to correctly interpret and respond to this gesture, and what problems it can cause. We will also give you some tips on how to teach your cat not to lick a person if it bothers you or causes inconvenience.
Attachment
Cats are social creatures that form close bonds with people, despite often living and hunting alone.
Licking is likely a way to strengthen the bond with humans. Cats groom each other to stay clean and bond, and it also reduces aggression and keeps them calm.
Trying to tidy things up
Although grooming is usually the main reason why a cat licks itself, it may also be an attempt to clean a person. Cats can spend up to 50% of their day licking their fur, so they may be grooming their owner in this way, as they want to make sure all members of their household are clean.
This type of licking may also be accompanied by small biting movements.
Cats use their tiny front teeth (incisors) to nibble at any particularly itchy or dirty areas of skin or fur, and they may well do this to humans too. This nipping is painless and different from a real bite.
Marking his territory
Cats are territorial creatures that like to mark what is theirs to assert their rights.
Even if there are no other cats in the house, the pet will still instinctively mark important objects with its chin, cheeks, and saliva to calm itself and freshen its scent. Licking can be part of this marking, as the cat is essentially saying that this is its person. It also helps it get to know the person better.
Wants attention
If a cat persistently licks a person, it may simply be trying to say something or has learned that licking attracts attention.
This is reinforced by the person stopping what they are doing and reaching out to the cat when it licks them, creating a feedback loop.
This lets the pet know that if it licks a person, it will get attention. This can be true even for negative attention, such as when the cat is pushed away.
Experiencing stress or anxiety
Cats may groom themselves or other animals when they are anxious or stressed to cope with their feelings. This may be the cat's way of signaling that it no longer enjoys being petted and wants to be left alone.
This type of licking is often accompanied by a tense body posture and a scratch or bite if the petting does not stop.
Smell on the skin
If there is something on the skin, such as food or body lotion, the cat may be attracted to the smell.
This is not the most likely reason why a cat would lick a person, especially if it continues to lick after a couple of tries. Some cats like certain smells and tastes that make them lick a person.
Like
When cats groom themselves or others, their bodies release feel-good chemicals that help them relax and feel happy.
Endorphins are released in the cat's brain and cause relaxation and happiness.
Earlier we listed 3 things that a pet rat needs to be happy.
