Some pet house owners adore it, whereas others cannot stand the sensation of being licked by a cat. Their little sandpaper tongues begin to damage after just a few licks. Is your kitty companion simply exhibiting affection or is that this conduct one thing you have to be involved about? When you’ve been questioning “why does my cat lick me,” there are just a few potential solutions.
I’ve six cats, and solely two of them steadily lick me. This received me interested by why some cats lick their people and others do not. I am a curious pet proprietor, and revel in realizing as a lot about my pets’ conduct as potential. When you’re like me, you in all probability query a lot of the issues that your pets do.
Whereas researching this matter, I discovered that there are a variety of explanation why your cat might lick you. It is doubtless that this unusual conduct is not something to be involved about. Whereas it might be annoying, it is in all probability simply your cats approach of exhibiting affection or making an attempt to get your consideration. In uncommon circumstances, it could possibly be an indication of an underlying well being downside. Preserve studying to answering the query “why does my cat lick me” and learn how to make him cease.
Why Does My Cat Lick Me?
1. Bonding/Exhibiting Affection
The obvious reply to the query why does my cat lick me is that your cat is solely making an attempt to indicate affection and/or bond with you. Mom cats lick their kittens to wash and look after them or to indicate affection. It is your cat’s pure intuition to indicate you affection in the identical method.
2. Marking His Territory
Cats, like most different animals are territorial. They prefer to mark issues which are “theirs”. In some circumstances, your cat might lick you to indicate different animals or people in your house that you simply belong to him. When you discover that your cat steadily licks you while you’re in shut proximately to different animals/people, it could possibly be that he is simply marking his territory.
3. Nervousness or Stress
Many animals will lick when harassed or anxious. This conduct is seen in rats, canine cats and plenty of different animals. This can be the case together with your cats licking conduct, particularly if it has began spontaneously or is not noticed fairly often.
Cats may be simply harassed by adjustments of their setting. If potential, discover the supply of the stress and take away it. If the licking has began spontaneously and you’ll’t discover any supply of stress or nervousness, I’d advocate checking in together with your veterinarian simply to be on the secure aspect.
4. Consideration
When your cat licks you, you in all probability reply by exhibiting him some form of consideration. Chances are you’ll pet him, speak sweetly or snuggle him when he begins to lick you. Over time, this consideration will situation your cat to lick you in an effort to obtain your undivided consideration.
If that is so, you possibly can cease the conduct by doing the alternative of what you’d usually do. While you cat licks you, ignore the conduct. Transfer away from him with out talking, touching him or exhibiting any form of consideration. Over time, this may situation your cat to know that licking will solely push you away.
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5. Kittens Weaned Too Shortly
Kittens who’re taken from their moms too early will usually show some unusual behaviors like frequent licking. Kittens knead and suckle their moms for consolation. Their moms lick them to consolation and clear them. In case your kitten is eager for the love of their mom, they could lick you to attempt to discover that very same consolation.
In case your younger kitten is licking you and so they appear to be particularly clingy, it’s doubtless that they have been weaned from their mom too rapidly. This conduct ought to subside over time.
6. You Style Yummy
It is a fairly apparent reply to the query why does my cat lick me. Your cat might just like the salty style of your pores and skin. You’ll have lotion, topical merchandise or meals remnants in your pores and skin which are interesting. Washing your palms ought to cease the conduct if so.
7. Medical Downside
It is unlikely, however licking you might be an indication of an underlying medical downside. Nausea or abdomen ache may trigger your cat to lick. If the licking begins spontaneously or appears to get extreme rapidly, it is best to test in together with your veterinarian. As I mentioned, this isn’t a probable reason behind licking, however it’s potential. It might be higher to have your cat checked by your vet simply to make certain that all the pieces is ok.
If the licking conduct annoys you, it is easy to get your cat to cease. Ignore the conduct. Stroll away out of your cat when he begins to lick. Cowl your pores and skin when potential with lengthy sleeves or pants. You may as well attempt to distract your cat by enjoying with him or providing him a snack.
You will have to be affected person, as a result of the conduct will not cease over night time. However, over time, your cat will start to be taught that you do not get pleasure from this conduct and he’ll cease. Remember the fact that if the licking is attributable to stress or a medical situation, you will must deal with the underlying trigger earlier than the conduct will subside.
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