You might be confused if you discover your cats face buried in your armpit when you wake up in the middle of the night. Is he just being affectionate? Does he have some medical issues? Do you need to call the veterinarian?
In most cases, cats will lick their humans for one of four reasons, and once you know why, it can help you decide what to do about it. Here are some common reasons cats lick people and how to fix the problem if it’s not normal behavior.
Are Cats Normally Going to Lick You?
You might be confused if you discover your cat’s face buried in your armpit when you wake up in the middle of the night. Female cats typically heat during spring and summer, but some cats can go into heat year-round.
If you live with a male cat, your family has other pets, or neighbors who have cats, it’s best to keep both sexes separate when your cat goes into heat. That way, there won’t be any unplanned surprises at home!
The Reason Cats Lick You
Did you know that when cats lick you, it’s not because they enjoy your taste? If your cat is licking you, it’s most likely out of affection or to show some approval. Cats can smell pheromones in urine, so they usually go in circles and cover their territory with urine. By doing so, they leave a scent behind that says this belongs to me. Though, there are times when a cat might smell pheromones in something other than urine as well!
Your kitty is showing you how much she loves you.
While it can be annoying, your kitty licking you shows affection. When cats lick each other, they often convey that they have a friendly relationship, Dr. Kat Miller, a veterinarian at Angell Animal Medical Center in Boston, told HuffPost.
It’s similar to giving your BFF an Eskimo kiss — or better yet, an actual kiss (gross). The next time Kitty goes in for some licks, remember she’s probably showering you with love and affection.
Your cat is seeking attention
Your cat isn’t trying to hurt you when she licks your skin; she’s merely expressing affection. It’s a sign that she likes and trusts you, and most cats prefer human contact over food.
So if you feel like your feline friend is starting to get a little too friendly with her tongue, try petting her with an interactive toy or throwing her a special treat. When it comes to receiving attention from our fur babies, it’s really hard to give them too much.
What If My Cat Doesn’t Want To Stop Kneading Me?
Kneading is a cat’s instinctive response to feeling safe and secure. As kittens, they kneaded against their mothers to signal that it was time for milk. When your cat’s little paws start digging into your leg, she’s happy and feels safe in her home environment.
However, if your cat keeps kneading you after you pet her or pick her up from being outside in cold weather, take note of these possible causes: Hypothermia: Cold weather can cause your cat to startle easily and behave strangely when indoors.
Can I Punish My Indulgent Cat if She Won’t Stop?
When your cat is licking you, the first thing to do is to try to ignore it. You don’t want to accidentally reward her by paying attention to her or doing anything else like petting her, trying to push her away, etc.
Cats are very good at reading body language and might just be licking to get you to pet them. If you don’t pay attention, she might eventually stop. A problem with that approach is that cats can be quite stubborn; just because she stops lapping, for now doesn’t mean she won’t start up again later if something about what you’re doing has continued to attract it.
When Should I Worry About a Kitten Showing Affection Too Much?
A kitten will love to lick you. It’s what they do when they show their affection to you. But why does my cat keep licking me? If your furry friend is doing it frequently and obsessively, then there is a possibility that something is wrong with your kitten.
They might be ill or suffering from an infection or are experiencing pain due to some dental problem, for example. The best course of action would be to get them checked by a vet as soon as possible so that they can treat any underlying issues accordingly.