Why Cats Lick Their Owners and When to Worry 0 8

Adult cats spend about 50% of their waking time grooming themselves. Friendly pets often groom each other by licking their fur. Additionally, they may show affection to their owners by licking their skin or hair. Sometimes they even nibble or lick clothing, leaving saliva on it. But what does this behavior of your pet mean?

Mother cats often lick their kittens, as they are not yet able to groom themselves. As they grow older, pets adopt this instinct and often lick humans to express gratitude or show their affection. By licking the skin, a cat leaves its saliva on you, thereby “marking” you with its scent as a member of its family. Sometimes the animal may lick your hands after a shower—in this case, it is likely attracted to the scent of the shower gel or lotion.

If your pet licks you too often, it may have been weaned from its mother too early, as it was orphaned or given to other owners. Some experts believe that kittens taken from their mother too soon are more prone to such behavior in adulthood compared to those who grew up with their mother.

However, licking, nibbling, and sucking can also be a response to stress, anxiety, or illness, and may serve as a calming ritual for your pet. In rare cases, such actions can develop into a compulsive disorder. According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, behavior is considered compulsive if the cat cannot stop even when you are trying your best to distract it.

If your older cat has started to lick you, although you have not noticed this behavior before, it is worth consulting a veterinarian. This may be a sign of hyperthyroidism, which is common in older cats and can cause many changes in their behavior.