What Does It Mean When My Cat Licks Me

Cats are known for their ability to communicate with humans. While cats have different ways of communicating with us, one thing that many people don’t realize is that cats use licking as a way to express themselves. In this article, we’ll look at why your cat might be licking you and what it means when they do it — as well as how you can respond!

Is licking an affectionate behavior?

Licking is an instinctual behavior for cats, so it can be difficult to understand exactly what your cat’s licking means. However, if you have ever been licked by a cat, it’s likely that you have felt the affectionate nature of the gesture.

As feline behaviorist Pam Johnson-Bennett notes in her book “The Cat Whisperer,” most cats use licking as a way of showing affection toward their owners or other cats they are friendly with. Cats use this behavior when they want to communicate that they trust someone and feel comfortable around them. Your pet may also lick you as a sign of love or hunger; depending on how much time has passed since he last ate or was fed treats, his mouth will become dry and start to feel uncomfortable—so he’ll seek out moisture from another source (namely: your skin).

There are many reasons why kitties might choose to mark humans with their saliva: They’re hungry! They want attention! They like being petted! Licking can mean many things depending on the context in which it occurs—and we’ve got some tips on how best handle those situations below!

What does it mean when my cat licks me?

As we’ve mentioned, cats use licking as a way to communicate with humans. Licking is also a sign of affection, and can be used in a number of ways. Your cat may lick you when they are content and happy, or they might lick your face to indicate that they want something (like food or attention).

Some cats may also choose to groom their owners by licking them over their entire body—this can be an instinctive behavior for some pets, or it could mean that the cat wants attention from you. If your pet loves spending time with you, this means he or she is happy!

When should I be concerned?

If your cat licks you a lot and/or in a way that is uncomfortable or painful, there’s a good chance he might be trying to tell you something. This could be a sign of an underlying medical condition, so it’s best to have your cat checked out by your vet as soon as possible.

If the behavior is repetitive and seems out of the ordinary for your cat, this may also be cause for concern. Cats often engage in grooming behaviors when they’re stressed or anxious; if these licking behaviors are persistent and seem excessive, it could mean that something else is going on under the surface.

The most common reason behind any unusual licking behavior is fleas—and if this is what’s causing problems with yours, replacing or treating his bedding should solve things right up!

Your cat may lick you as a sign of affection or to communicate with you.

Cats lick each other to show affection, so when they do it with humans, it’s likely that they’re trying to show their love for their person.
In addition to being an act of friendship and love, this licking can also mean “I miss you” or “I want your attention.” It’s not uncommon for cats who are separated from their owners for long periods of time—say, overnight—to lick them more than usual when reunited in the morning.
Your cat might be communicating with you by licking at certain points on your body. For example, if he licks your chin while he’s sleeping next to you on the bed or couch, this could mean he wants his favorite blanket back (or just that he feels like rubbing against something). If she licks at the bottom of your feet while she’s sitting next to them on said surface… well… maybe she just really likes feet?

The best thing to do is sit back and enjoy your cat’s affection. It’s a sign of love, and if you don’t mind it, there’s no reason not to let them lick away!