7 Reasons Kitties Can’t Resist Licking

Exploring The Mystery Behind

Cat Kisses

While it’s common knowledge that dogs lick people to express their joy and affection, the same cannot usually be said for cats. If you’ve ever been kicking back with a kitty and experienced the strange sensation of their sandpaper-like tongue lapping at your skin, you might have found yourself wondering what to make of the gesture. Could it be an act of love, similar to the way a happy dog may greet his human at the door with a face full of licks? Or might kitty kisses be prompted by something else completely unique to their species?

Truth be told, experts have proposed various explanations for this behavior based on scientific research done to study cat behavior. Let’s take a close look at seven of their theories so you can decide which is a possible reason for your cat’s licking.

#1: They love you! 

Cats certainly show affection to each other through grooming, so it’s completely possible they extend that behavior to us. Mutual grooming, also known as allogrooming, is thought to have evolved as a way for cats to maintain their social bonds within a group and build trust between individuals. Perhaps cats lick humans in an attempt to show that they acknowledge us as part of their social group, demonstrating that they trust us enough to groom us.

By cleaning their fur, cats prevent the transfer of diseases and keep each other safe. Because grooming serves such an important purpose, kitties evolved specialized tongues that are perfect for the task! If you’ve ever been licked by a cat and wondered why their tongue felt like sandpaper, that’s because it’s covered in tiny, backwards-curving barbs called papillae.

Papillae are fantastic for combing through fur, removing debris or external parasites like ticks or fleas. Unfortunately, these keratin-comprised barbs don’t have the same effect on humans. But cats aren’t aware of that, so maybe they’re just trying to help you out and check for external parasites. Isn’t that sweet?

#2: You cat is saying “look at me!”

Licking could also be your kitty’s way of getting you to notice them. If a cat is feeling lonely, bored, or neglected, they may act out to secure attention. If this is the case, taking care to not immediately reward the behavior with attention can help minimize it. But at the end of the day, it’s crucial to show your cat love (with lots of play, pets, and treats) to reward and encourage positive interaction.


#3: A desire to learn

Felines are known to be naturally inquisitive animals with a highly developed sense of taste. By tasting and testing different items, they have the opportunity to gain pertinent information about the world around them and identify potential sources of danger or food. They may also be specifically trying to learn more about the person they are licking such as their scent which is a major source of information for cats. With this information, cats can even recognize who you are after years apart. 

#4: It’s a territory thing

You may notice a cat licking themselves immediately after being pet. Some say this could be them trying to “erase” your scent by replacing it with their own. Don’t take it personally though! Each cat has their own unique scent which they instinctively want to spread around.

On top of the desire to remain clean and healthy, cats also endeavor to establish a clear sense of social hierarchy. Licking serves as a form of communication that helps achieve these goals. Cats are able to show their dominance by licking others and, conversely, they can accept the authority of another cat by being licked.

#5: It’s a symptom

Kitties sometimes lick to self-soothe during stressful or painful situations. This reduces stress as the act of licking has been shown to release endorphins in many animals including cats. If your cat is reacting to stress, there are likely adjustments you can make to create a more peaceful environment with calming agents and enrichment options.

Oral fixation is a mental condition that can cause a cat to lick excessively. This typically occurs when litters are separated from their mother too soon, and they lack the opportunity to get sufficient nutrients and attention. Weaning at an earlier age than normal can provoke a psychological need to lick things to fill the void of not having any mother's milk to drink. It is important to mention that if your cat seems to have a fixation, it’s worth discussing this with your vet as excessive licking can be a sign of a mental health condition such as anxiety or OCD.

#6: You taste yummy

Your cat may have just tasted something good on your skin and is simply trying to lap up those flavors. Although they have fewer taste buds than humans, cats are still able to distinguish between salty, sour, and bitter tastes and prefer some flavors over others. While we’d like to believe that kitty licks are given out of love, it’s true that our sweat contains lots of salt and sugar they may have just mistaken for a tasty treat.

Cats are especially attracted to the smell of mint and basil as these herbs are from the same family as catnip. Using products with scents like these is another reason your kitty could feel compelled to lick your skin. Take note of when your cat starts licking to see if you can identify a trigger.

#7: It’s just something they do

Preening is not only beneficial for keeping kitties clean and healthy, but it also helps regulate their body temperature in cold or hot climates. It serves many purposes and is likely an important factor in their evolutionary success. Interestingly, cats evolved this behavior independently of other animals; it has been shown that cats who have been separated from their feline counterparts since birth still engage in self-grooming. This suggests that grooming is an instinctive habit that is embedded in their genes. The answer could really be that simple: it’s just something cats are hardwired to do.

kitties allogrooming

Cats utilize a complex system of communication that includes physical contact like licking. Because there are so many possible explanations for why cats lick humans, it’s important to account for their specific personality, history, and medical status when considering the reason behind the behavior.

Some cats may show their affection for their guardians through licking as a sign of recognition. Others could be trying to recreate the trust and comfort they felt from their mothers when they were young. Whatever the reason, this behavior is typically normal and nothing to worry about as long as it isn’t excessive. Those who like receiving kitty-kisses every now and then are free to enjoy!