If you have ever been licked by a cat before you know how it feels: like being polished by sandpaper, tickly, a little gross, and very weird. Some felines even decide to give you a bath at night, making its effect even more controversial. But before you get insulted by your cat possibly suggesting that you should have taken a shower earlier, here is all you need to know about why your pet actually licks you.
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Your cat thinks you taste good
Cats are guided by their sense of smell, and if they like the scent, they’ll give it a lick. It may sound gross but pet felines actually like the smell of human sweat.
Did you know that our armpits have apocrine sweat glands, which produce the really pungent sweat that tends to be secreted in that area? As a result, armpit sweat is full of fats and proteins that cats are attracted to, Catster writes.
So, your cat quite enjoys the smell of your sweat and doesn’t mind giving it a lick. Gross but fact.
Your cat is showing its affection to you
Your cat’s licking may be affiliative behaviour, which is friendly, altruistic behaviour. Mothers groom their kittens, and cats may groom one another, which is called allogrooming. This grooming strengthens their social bonds, so your cat may groom you to nurture your relationship, Pet MD explains.
So, licking equals loving.
Your cat is sharing its scent
According to Cats Protection, felines like sharing their scent with animals they bonded with, and transferring their saliva makes that creature more familiar. It also helps them tell, with a simple sniff, that the other cat is part of their social group and can therefore be trusted.
You’re no exception from this precarious cat method. By licking you your feline marks you as its safe human.
Your Cat Wants to Get Your Attention
Sometimes licking can be an invitation for ‘licking back’, or petting in your case. Your cat already knows that the odd (for you, anyway) activity gets attention, as you have likely inadvertently rewarded your cat’s licking by talking to, petting, or in some way interacting with them when they lick you. So, clever felines are just using the situation.
While it might not seem like it, our cats are invested in our emotional well-being. They must want us to stay clean, too. Back to hygiene, this is not necessarily a sign your cat wants you to take a bath. See it as a luxury spa procedure performed by your pet.
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