Why Does Your Cat Lick You?
People find cats amazing animals and there is one fact probably anyone with a pet feline will confirm – cats love licking their masters. Despite being one of the purest and most familiar signs of affection, cat licking possesses additional connotations based on instinct, hierarchy, and even health. In this exhaustive guide, we will see why does your cat licked you and what this behavior mean about your relationship with your beloved animal.
.png "Why does your cat lick you?") |
| Why does your cat lick you? |
Understanding the Instinctual Basis of Licking
Licking is one of the natural predispositions of the cat, which is found genetically in almost all the cats. In all the stages of cat’s lives it uses licking therefore it is a normal part of early development and therefore interaction.
Motherly Instincts and Grooming Behavior
When kittens are born, the mother licks them so that to wash their fur, make their circulation and help them defecate. This grooming is when a kitten needs it most and helps it to feel protected and safe as itExpansion? Gecko Kittens. With kittens, licking is an acceptable sign because the cats take this into adulthood when they are fully grown.
Marking Territory Through Scent
Kittens have glands around their mouth and on the surface of the point, in their tongues. Sometimes when your cat kisses you, they will be putting their scent on you as if you become their territory. This behavior makes them feel close to you and gives them confidence in their attachment with the society.
Read also HERE
.png "Why does your cat lick you?") |
| Why does your cat lick you? |
Emotional Reasons Behind Cat Licking
Licking is not only fulfilled as an instinct, people lick as a means of conveying messages and feelings.
Affection and Bonding
Indeed, when your cat licks you, there is every likelihood that it meant to do it because it loves you as a feline. Such conduct resembles those cat’s claw baths shared mutually with similar felines, reflecting the two’s mutual trust and friendship. And in essence, your cat now has learned to consider you as his family.
Seeking Comfort
Probably licking serves as a kind of self-comforting activity for the cat is as people often have some certain stereotypic actions. If your cat is stressed or anxious or is seeking comfort of any form, he or she might lick you in a bid to comfort him/ herself.
Attention-Seeking Behavior
Cats are conscious animals who do not waste time to master tricks to make their owners attend to them. If your cat sees that he causes a response from you when he licks himself, whether positive in the form of petting, talking, or even feeding then most likely, he will use this method in order to get your attention.
Health-Related Causes of Excessive Licking
Licking is normally a completely natural and non-problematic behaviour; however, any sort of over-enthusiastic licking is normally an indicator of some medical conditions which must be treated.
Skin Irritation or Allergies
Inflammation caused by sometimes allergies, parasites or infections could make the cat its fur and cause excessive licking. If the licking is localized to a certain area then you should definitely take your cat to the vet.
Nutritional Deficiencies
Lack of some nutrients including fatty acids is likely to cause compulsive licking because your cat wants to correct the diet imbalances.
Behavioral Disorders
Licking can be equally a cause of a compulsive disorder and may make the coat lose its sheen: Such disorders may be attributed to stress, anxiety or even undue boredom. Such behaviors are typical of a cat that is understimulated, or one that feels threatened by the prevailing change of circumstances.
How to Manage and Understand Your Cat’s Licking
Licking as seen with petting often shows affection hence it has to be corrected whenever it becomes rapturous. Here are some strategies to better understand and address your cat’s licking habits:
Provide Enrichment and Stimulation
And, in an effort to cut down on licking floors and surfaces that your cat does, make sure your pet is mentally and physically active. The cat has to be active to enjoy life – interactive toys, scratch pads and normal playtime are good ways of ensuring this.
Establish Boundaries
If your cat’s licking becomes excessive, or uncomfortable, then place them in another activity subtly. A break can be easily created without stress by either offering them a toy or plays with them.
Monitor for Health Issues
Monitor any changes in behaviour and physical appearance of your cat a possible sign of the disease. Skin rash, sudden thinning of your pet, or changes in its eating pattern should lead to a vet for check-up to rule out other health issues.
.png "Why does your cat lick you?") |
| Why does your cat lick you? |
Strengthen Your Bond
Interact with your cat for longer periods to replace the kind of attention that provokes licking, with positive ones. Stroking your cat or caressing it in the parts it likes it will help fulfill the affection needs.
Licking in Different Contexts
Cats can lick their owners due to one reason or another, of course, taking into account circumstances and individual characteristics of personality. Here are a few common contexts where licking might occur:
During Relaxation
Cats groom their owners during low activity periods for example when you are watching television, when you are resting or when you are holding them on your laps. This kind of behavior means happiness and intention to be together.
After Playtime
After real chasing and catching the toy or ball and after a kind of ‘fight’ with an object your cat may lick you with the same purpose to get colder.
In Response to Stress
Cats tend to lick their owners due to stress and loudnoise or other changes which may be happening around the house.
What to Do If Your Cat’s Licking Becomes Excessive
It is, therefore, critical to detect and treat compulsive or problematic licking in a cat immediately. Here are some steps to take:
- Consult a Veterinarian: First of all, medical causes of such behavior should be excluded.
- Identify Triggers: Sometimes stress or anxiety can be coming from the environment so it is important to listen to what is going around.
- Provide Stress Relief: In this case it is recommended to have pheromone diffusers or supplements on your cat to make him or her calm.
Conclusion: A Sign of Love and Trust
As much as your cat licks you, this act is a behavior that is motivated by both innate responses, feelings, and medical needs. It may be a gesture of love to pay the cat back, a form of communication, or just a way of handling stress; it is a way that avows this very special relation that is between you and your kitty. Learning why your cat is licking will go a long way in helping you attend to his or her needs fully so as to strengthen your bond with the animal.
Read also HERE
FOLLOW us in
.png&description=Why does your cat lick you?){kind=link}