Why Do Cats Lick Me? Is It Because They Love Me That Much?

Nope

Image from：Spruce Pets

Some cats just love licking people—lick, lick, lick nonstop—making their owners’ hearts flutter:

Does it like me?
Is it trying to kiss me?
Is it madly in love with me?

Sorry, but no.

Licking You Might Mean—They Think Highly of You

Cats lick each other to share scents, familiarize themselves with one another, strengthen social bonds, and reduce conflicts within the group.

So, when a cat lives with you and considers you part of the “crew,” it might lick you to show acceptance and closeness.

However, in cat colonies, the alpha cat often grooms the other members more frequently. So, if your cat licks you, it might be treating you like its subordinate.

Image from：cats Paradise

▌Human sweat contains components that cats enjoy, such as salt, certain trace elements, and oils (hence their weird fascination with smelly shoes, sweaty feet, or armpits).

▌Of course, if you’ve just finished eating grilled chicken or fried fish, don’t be surprised when your cat comes over to lick you…

▌Additionally, cats might be attracted to certain ingredients in the lotions or ointments you apply to your skin (though some of these ingredients can be harmful to cats).

Image from：Giphy

When interacting with people, if a cat feels slightly uncomfortable with the owner’s actions,

it might lick as a way to calm itself down—similar to how humans bite their nails when nervous.

So, if your cat licks you, observe how and how often it does so to determine whether it’s out of affection or stress.

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Though you may feel honored by your cat’s affection, the licking can be a bit too much to handle—the sensation is tingling, ticklish, and even a little… painful!

Image from：Printrest

Here are some polite methods:

▌Redirect their attention with a toy or a treat.

▌Enrich their environment by adding cat trees, shelves, and toys. This can help prevent licking behavior stemming from boredom or separation anxiety.

▌Brush your cat instead. Respond to their affectionate gesture by grooming them. Many cats find this so pleasurable they’ll get lost in the enjoyment and forget about licking you.

Image from：giphy