Why Does My Cat Insist on Licking Me
From LoveToKnow Cats
"Why does my cat insist on licking me?" That's what one visitor would like to know. The Cat Expert gives a couple of plausible explanations plus a tip for stopping the behavior.
Question: Why Does My Cat Insist on Licking Me?
I have a beautiful, sweet, loving kitten that is about six months old. I rescued her through the SPCA at the beginning of the summer. She is the best kitten I have ever had.
My question is about some weird behavior she's displaying. My cat is obsessed with licking me. She licks my hands, arms, feet and face. She lays on my chest in the morning and licks my nose, cheeks, and forehead. She especially likes my eye-lashes.
Sometimes she licks my boyfriend, but not nearly as much as she licks me. Is there a reason why she does this? Also, she makes this soft moaning sound while she sleeps. It is so strange. I have never had a act do these things. Any insight?
~~ Ashley
Expert Reply
Hi Ashley,
Adopting that kitten was a wonderful thing to do. Just think about what a loving companion you might have missed out on if you hadn't walked into the shelter that day. I wish more people would follow your example.
Now for your questions. Your kitten is actually bathing you, just as her own mother would have done. This type of behavior may signal that your kitten was separated from her own mother too soon, and she is looking for the same kind of comfort she was familiar with. She may also like the salty taste of human skin.
You can gently discourage her actions by putting her on the floor when the licking begins. You can also give her a toy to further distract her. If you're consistent, you should be able to curb the licking and she will eventually give it up.
As for the moaning in her sleep, this might just be a little personality quirk that she'll outgrow. However, if you think the moaning might have something to do with difficulty breathing, you should ask your vet to listen to her chest to determine if there's a medical cause for the moaning.
Thanks for your questions, and I hope you have a long and happy relationship with your new friend.
~~ Kelly
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Comments
Hi Tami,
If your cat isn't feeling well, that probably explains some of her behavior in wanting to be close to you. She likely associates you as a mother figure and wants the comfort you provide. The diet should be fairly balanced, though. Maybe she just figures she's old enough that she should have a few treats now and then? :) You may want to mention the licking and margarine to the vet next time you take her in. She could be missing some oils in her diet.
-- Contributed by: LoriSoardMy female fixed cat is 17 years old and indoors only. Two years ago she was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism and displyed all of the symptoms including personality change and we took her to "Radiocat" treatment. Immediately afterwards, she was diagnosed with chronic kidney failure. We now give her the special vet recommended "KD" diet along with under the skin fluids every other day. Her personality never reverted back to the independent queenie attitude she used to have. She's far needier and affectionate, but that's ok. She now follows me from room to room wanting me to pick her up. She also seems to frequently be unable to get comfortable. She sits in the crouched position I call "waiting for the mouse" quite often. She sleeps between my husband and myself and often will just sit in the "waiting for the mouse" position and stare at me while I sleep (my husband tells me). Also, she has started to lick things; my hand or arm or the blanket or chair she's laying on. This is new behavior, and it makes me think that she's needing something more in her diet, too, because she'll get on the counter and lick dirty plates, margarine, or any other open foods. She never ever would have touched people food of any kind or licked me two years ago.
-- Contributed by: Tami SchmidtThis page has been accessed 2,610 times. This page was last modified 18:24, 6 October 2007.
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