We humans tend to think that when animals lick us, they are showing us their love. Or is there some other reason they are so obsessed with delivering incessant tongue lashings? She remembers how her mother gave her cleanings as a kitten and now is continuing what she learned, only with the roles reversed unless you happen to lick her as well. Your cat is nurturing you in the best way she knows how — by keeping you clean and claiming you as her own. Cats who are siblings or are from different litters but get along quite well together will lick each other as a form of social bonding. Licking you is a gesture to bond the two of you together.
What does it mean when your cat licks you? | Healthy Cats | Animal Planet
Dogs may lick our faces -- remember Lucy from "Peanuts" exclaiming, "Aaack, dog germs! When your cat licks you, usually after a mock-bite or firm grab with his paws, she's doing what her mother did during the early weeks of her life: providing a good cleaning that also speaks of caring and belonging. You've seen cats licking each other, helping in the grooming ritual, especially around the hard-to-reach ears and top of the head. But why is Kitty inspired to lick your arm or toes -- or even your hair? Here's what we've discovered.
Does your feline companion lick you, and are you wondering why? It also helps to reduce conflict within the group 1. If your cats are generally healthy and behaving normally, licking is a positive indicator that they like you and want to be closer.
Many people assume that cats lick them as a sign of love which isn't really that far off. While it's hard to determine if cats feel complex emotions like love, licking is a sign of affection. Cats usually lick themselves in order to groom.