Understanding Your Cat’s Behavior
One of the greatest assets of a cat is its tongue. The tongue is usually covered in something called papillae, which are curved spines that are important when they are grooming themselves.
Most of the time, we assume that cats are showing how much they love us when they are licking us. However, this is not always the case. You might feel as if you are getting your skin scraped off by the tongue of your cat. It is not always a good feeling.
Should you be worried when your cat keeps on licking you?
Why Does it Hurt When a Cat Licks You?
The tongue of your cat is designed to remove loose fur and dirt, as well as for thorough cleaning. This means that the tongue can actually remove some hair from your skin. The papillae discussed above are responsible for this capability.
The papillae have backward-facing hooks made of keratin, the same material that gives strength to the cat’s claws. These papillae are also responsible for separating fur and reaching the skin to remove any dirt that may exist. This explains why it can hurt when your cat licks you.
Some of the reasons why your cat might lick you include the following:
Stress, Anxiety, and/or Pain
Sometimes, when cats are stressed, anxious, or in pain, they tend to lick their owners. Excessive licking might be a cause for alarm; however, it can also signify that the cat is trying to cope with various stresses.
For example, a cat may lick excessively when there is a change in its environment, such as moving to a new house. Although this doesn’t necessarily indicate a problem, it’s crucial to monitor the frequency of licking for both the cat and yourself.
The licking can become aggressive, making it painful on your skin. Additionally, the cat may groom itself excessively, potentially leading to fur loss. If this occurs, consult a veterinarian for assistance in addressing this behavior.
Marking its Territory
Sometimes, your cat licks you, other animals, and its toys to mark its territory. Cats do this to leave their scent, ensuring that other cats stay away.
For instance, a cat will lick its kittens to show that they belong to her. Similarly, when your cat licks you, it’s marking you as part of its territory.
If you have multiple cats, you will often see them licking each other as a form of social bonding. In this context, licking you indicates that the cat seeks to bond with you as well.
Weaning Before Time
Some cats might have been weaned too early or abandoned by their mothers. This experience can create a fixation that leads to excessive licking.
These cats didn’t receive enough time to nurse from their mothers, leading them to lick people and themselves in search of comfort reminiscent of nursing.
If this is why your cat is licking you, there’s no need to worry. Consider introducing other cats for social bonding to provide effective companionship.
Grooming You
Sometimes, cats lick their owners out of a desire to groom them. Although they do not realize that licking you does not clean you, they are exhibiting an instinctual behavior.
When they are young, their mothers lick them to groom and teach them how to groom themselves, which also fosters bonding and affection.
This means that when your cat licks you, it is mimicking the grooming behavior it learned from its mother, showing affection and trying to bond with you in the process.
Tasting
Lastly, your cat might lick you due to an interesting taste on your skin, perhaps from spilled drinks or other substances you’ve encountered. As a result, your cat may continue licking you until the taste is gone.
However, it is important to note that cats have a relatively poor sense of taste compared to many other mammals.
Conclusion
Even though a cat might not intend any harm when licking you, the experience is often uncomfortable. It might be beneficial to find ways to discourage the licking behavior.
If you’re uncomfortable with the licking, consider giving your cat a gentle massage whenever it starts licking you, as this can help express affection, create a bond, and potentially reduce the licking behavior.
