Why Do Cats Lick You? Is it Obsession or Affection?

This week, a question comes in from curious guardian Hunter about her cat Spud. Spud spends all his free time licking Hunter’s hand, and she’s over it… or is she?

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#JacksonGalaxy #Cat #Advice

[cynthiacampbell]

I think it's affection. Mine only lick when they're feeling affectionate or want to cuddle. It's the same behavior they show each other. A head rub or nose boop, then a lick. If they're snuggling with each other or us, then it turns into a co-grooming session.

[candylanes]

My cat licks me before he bites his food first.

[yenbee]

My boyfriend taught his cat to lick him when he says “give me a kiss, ” it’s the cutest thing ever!

[natatatt]

Mine does it out of affection. She usually licks when she's a bit sleepy and lying against me to rest.

[rrocky]

Could it also be considered as your cat grooming you, like they will do to each other, as a sign of affection and bonding?

[NoneGiven-xtll]

It’s allogrooming behaviour - we are part of their social pack so they wash us like they would a litter-mate they are close to. Our petting them mimics the mother washing them. It’s just a social thing (unless there’s a mineral issue) and shows they accept us.

[clarissaolivarez]

My cat would wait by my bedside for me to lay on my stomach, he would then jump on my back and basically give me a massage then lay down next to me. That was our ritual before bed. Never understood why he did it but I didn’t mind it.

[emilywarner]

I shaved my hair short because no haircuts right now. Cat loves it. Much easier to groom me since I'm no longer a persian.

[Beardmire]

Mine always gets up on my chest when I'm lying down, licks my nose and gently nibbles on it while purring and smurgling... it's about the cutest and cuddliest thing ever

[veryberry]

One of my first cats had a thing where when she was content, she'd crawl up by my ear and start nursing on my earlobe. It sounds totally weird that I'd let that continue, but I tended to use it as a gauge to make sure she was feeling happy and content. XD

My current cat was adopted when he was 6 weeks, and has been fully attached to me ever since. If he wanted into the bed with me, I'd flop my arm down, he'd wrap his paws around and sit on my palm, and I'd hoist him up. Now, if I start petting him, he'll instead start grooming my hand. I've already known for a long time that cats are more affectionate than many give them credit for, but it just makes me feel so good when they show such an abundance of it! <3

[sunnyandbuilder]

i think its affection because my cat licks me sometimes but he isn't obsessed with me since he spends most of his time outside and sleeping indoors

[AyumiSama]

I feel like it may be a little bit of both. My ringtail kitty always does this when he ask me to lie down on the bed so he may climb on top of me while I massage his ears, kiss his forehead and tell him what a handsome boy he is; at this point he begins to lick my hand and nudges it so that i can continue kissing his forehead as he lightly drools😸

[magicunicorn]

My kitty is a licky-cat, and I think it's cute. It's actually what got her adopted. I was looking at adult cats to adopt, and she was curled up in a ball in her cage and shut down emotionally. I opened the cage and reached in to pet her, and she sweetly licked my hand. The rest is history... I still have her, and it's been almost 14 years! Her licking is her way of showing affection.

[itsMYTRNX]

My Hunny grooms, she is a super care taker! Loves to make bread, groom herself, her brother and/or my hand when she is ready for cuddles and sleep! This makes lots of sense! Thanks Jackson!!!

[reson]

Is 'smurgling' an americanism? I've never heard of it before; in the UK we call it 'kneading' as in kneading dough (it's the same action).

[ty]

My ragdoll would sit on top of my belly and knead me every 2am in the morning. It's like clockwork

[tanrose]

Thank you, Jackson❣
Stay home, Stay 'safe' and be well, EVERYONE~ xox⚘

[Tako]

They are trying how it tastes, just in case :)

[TheXangelus]

My cat Loki has been bottle fed because he refused to drink from mom in the beginning. When I got him at 13 weeks he was already giving those love kisses. I love it when every morning I wake up to a giant Maine coon softly licking my cheek because it’s breakfast time. Every time i pick him up he just showers me with kisses. If I start petting him at some point he gets so happy that he licks me as if to say thank you. I don’t find it annoying because it show he loves me and is happy plus it’s just part of who he is. All people that come to my house knows he loves to give kisses and they just melt when he does it. He isn’t rough or painfull so I just enjoy it. Just accept that it comes from a good place and he’s just wanting you.

[SkinDeep]

I wake up with my cat licking my face quite often.... usually the eye lid 🤣🙃