Cats are really wonderful creatures to have around the home. They love your attention. The reason why the cat licks you is not only to say hi. There are some other reasons for this. You will be surprised when you read it below:
What does it mean if a cat licks you
1 . Cat licks to greet and show affection
You will see that your cat does a lot of licking on your face and hands when it feels like she wants to give some love to you or just want to greet. The licking behavior is usually shown when the cat approaches her superior, which can be another cat or a human being.
The Cat has put his scent on your body so that he feels happy and safe because he knows where you are. You have become part of him. Your presence makes him feel comfortable even if you are not near him.
2 . Cat licks to show his love
If you want your cat to give more affection, all you have to do is offer him some affection in return. Just like dogs that wag their tails when they are happy, cats also express themselves by licking. You can say that the cat's way of expressing love is licking.
You will know how much your cat loves you when he starts to lick you more than usual. If it seems so, try not to get stressed out because that means that your cat also feels the same way about you. Try to be happy instead of getting angry with him or her.
3 . Cat licks to say or show that she wants something
Cats lick to tell you what they want. If your cat likes attention, for example, and always want to be close to you, she might start licking you so that you can pay more attention to her. In this case, it is not a bad idea if you give the cat some love in return because it will make your kitty feel more comfortable and safe.
4 . Cat licks to mark objects or people as theirs
Cats have a very strong sense of smell, which allows them to identify their own territory. Cats usually start to lick when they want to mark something or someone that belongs to her. You might notice that your cat likes to lick some cushions or blankets. That is because it wants to make the object hers and you should not touch it when she's gone.
5 . Cat licks herself for self-grooming
Grooming is an important part of a cat's life and they do it in various ways. Licking is one of them and cats usually start to lick themselves when they are stressed out or have experienced something bad. The licking behavior is usually triggered by feelings of anxiety, fear or stress.
This is normal if your cat starts to lick herself more often than before, but if the licking behavior goes on for a long time without stopping it might be a sign that there's some kind of disease. In these cases, it is better to go and see a vet as soon as possible.
6 . Cat licks to communicate with other cats
If you have more than one cat in your home, you will notice that they also start to lick each other from time to time. It's a way for the cats to show affection or even to say that they're ready for a fight.
You can tell if they are not happy or if they want to play by watching their tails and the position of their ears. There are times when your cats start to lick each other's' feet, which is definitely a sign of affection. Another thing you need to know is that cats also groom each other to keep them clean and healthy.
7 . Cat licks as a way to comfort themselves
There are times when your cat starts licking herself because it's the only thing that makes her feel better. You can see your kitty doing this more often if she has experienced something bad such as an accident, getting lost or some other trauma. Your cat might also start licking itself if it's sick.
Usually, cats try to clean themselves when they suffer from a skin disease and you should keep an eye on the itching and licking because it could be a sign that your pet is in pain or feels uneasy.
8 . Cat licks to get rid of old fur
You will notice that your cat starts to lick itself more often when it is shedding. The cat might do this in order to get rid of the old fur, which helps grow new ones. It is not necessary that your kitty needs to be sick or uncomfortable if she's licking herself because cats usually start to do this before they shed.
9 . Cat licks to clean itself
Your cat might also start to lick herself in order to keep her fur and skin clean. When your cat starts to groom himself or herself more often than usual, it might be a sign that you need to take him or her to the vet because there's something wrong with his or her health.
You can tell if your kitty is cleaning himself or herself to be healthy if your cat starts to lick his or her fur from the tail to the head.
10 . Cat licks because he's happy
Last, but not least, there are times when a cat starts to lick itself because it is happy and content with what is going on. If you have recently given your cat a treat or if he has just finished playing with his favorite toy, then you can expect that your cat will start to lick himself or herself.
It is also normal for cats to lick themselves when they are purring and acting happy.
