Sometimes they desire to keep you clean . Other times you ’re just too much of a snack .
khat treating their humans a bit like a lolly is n’t weird or out of the ordinary at all — but what does it mean when your cat work you ?
It could mean that your big cat is just trying to help keep you sportsmanlike , or it could show that you , uh , savour effective . However , there are situations where computerized axial tomography licking is n’t great and you should find another place for your CT to get her kicks licks .
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Why Does My Cat Lick Me?
Your Cat Is Grooming You
" It is likely moderately of a loose grooming type of behavior , " saysAmelia Wieber , CPDT - KA , CCBC , and a member of the Daily Paws Advisory Board .
Wieber explains that your hombre lap up you is especially mutual when you ’re petting her . It ’s an " attached response " ; you ’re dress them with your cuddling , and they ’re return the favor by cleaning off your hand .
Cats groom each other by licking themselves clean , and Wieber says you could test the possibility by block the petting of your cat as she lap up you . If she continue work , she ’s in all likelihood groom you . " You pet me , I ’ll lick you , " she says .
While it might not seem like it , our hombre are invested in our emotional well - being . They must need us to stay clean , too . It ’s actually the ( sometimes ) opposite word of dogs licking us to tell us to block petting them , Wieber pronounce . ( Most of the metre , thosedog licksare kiss , though . )
Your Cat Wants to Get Your Attention
If you ’re walk by with bare foot , for instance , your cat might stick her knife out and dwell one on you , Wieber say , just to allow you know she ’s down there . Then you could get to the lovingcat petsshe ’s no doubt postulate for .
You Taste Good
Not to be weird , but sometimes your tegument tastes good to cat , Wieber says . It might be the software you ’re using , or maybe yoursweat is a trivial salty . computed tomography will clobber what they like , and sometimes that ’s you , Tasty Tom .
When Cat Licking Can Hurt and How to Get It to Stop
Here ’s when this otherwise normalcat behaviorcan become troublesome .
If your African tea ’s licking is frequent and compulsive , it can be a signal of nervousness or even ananxiety disorderliness , Wieber says . Along with licking themselves and you , your cat licking windows , plastics , and other things around the house can indicate something is incorrect . Callyour cat ’s veterinarianto get a better idea of what ’s break on and schedule an appointment . ( Licking can also be linked tonausea , Wieber says . )
Cat licking can also be harmful if your furry feline care solve your head , Wieber says . Any product you utilise to style your fuzz wo n’t be good for your cat , and the hair itself can be long and end up forming ahairball obstructionin the cat ’s digestive system . If you surmise that ’s happened , head to the vet right off .
But there ’s an easy way to get that to stop , Wieber says . you may wear a cap of some variety when you sleep to stop your cat from accessing your pass , or you may severalise yourself and your cat to forbid that behavior .
you could also buy something specifically designed for your cat to lick , Wieber says , like a salt lick mat . you could spread yourcat ’s foodon the matt , and , roar , your cat has something tasty to lick that is n’t you .
" Remove your attention . Do n’t reenforce the behavior with your attention but also redirect their aid , " Wieber says .
An earlier reading of this story misspelled Amelia Wieber ’s name . It ’s been correct .
