why do my cats lick me?

[mckenzie]

Does it mean they are lacking in something in their diet perhaps? Or are they just being kind and keeping me clean?

[AMumInScotland]

They are cleaning you - in their eyes you are a large kitten - after all, you're not very good at behaving like a cat yet, are you? They are also likely to bring you live mice and birds to practice on, because your hunting skills are honestly not up to standard yet.

[tabulahrasa]

they're cleaning the site of where they're going to make the first bite :|

[NevermindtheNargles]

AMumInScotland

your hunting skills are honestly not up to standard yet.

I actually think my cats bring me live animals because they are impressed by my inventive use of tupperware in mice/bird catching and wish to learn. I can't believe you'd suggest they think it's rubbish.

[NevermindtheNargles]

AMumInScotland

your hunting skills are honestly not up to standard yet.

I actually think my cats bring me live animals because they are impressed by my inventive use of tupperware in mice/bird catching and wish to learn. I can't believe you'd suggest they think it's rubbish.

[AMumInScotland]

Ah perhaps yours are awaiting a demonstration then!

[Ormirian]

Because you taste of cheese.

Actually no, they lick you because they are softening you up with little rough sandpaper tongues so they can eat you!

[pointydog]

Sometimes to get salty crisp flavouring off your fingers perhaps.

[SaulGood]

My cats lick people who have been sweating. It's the salt.

[DrSeuss]

Was told by a vet it's a submissive gesture, please. I'm a good kitty, be nice to me. Either that or you taste of Cheddar!

[RockinSockBunnies]

Cats love the taste of earwax. So if, by any chance, you've been itching your ear, then most cats will come and lick your finger, purring delightedly as they do so.

[mckenzie]

I'm not sure any of the answers sound very nice .
I think I'll go for DrSuess's reply. They are lovely cats after all (sort of anyway, they are RSPCA rescue cats and they have their moments) and I'm a lovely owner (most of the time anyway)

[iklboo]

One of my cats tries to groom my hair. I take it as a hint to phone the hairdresser!

[ClaireDeLoon]

My cat likes to lick just used emery boards to get the ground up fingernails off.

[peeriebear]

My old cat used to lick my face all over, and tried to lick my eyes when I was wearing mascara (I screamed at this point). He was more like a puppy. My new cat never licks me at all, probably because she is not submissive in any way! Last night she came in at about half eleven, from the dark and rain, with a still- warm dead sparrow. Where does she find them?!

[iklboo]

I can blow raspberries (parp) on smallest cat's tummy. I still have both eyes!!

[purpleknittingmum]

We love it when our cat licks/kisses us! He never used to kiss faces but does very occasionally

He can also be very selective, sometimes he will kiss one persons arm, and then someone else will offer their arm and he will turn his head! So funny!

[mckenzie]

thanks for the replies. Our old cat used to lick any pot that had olives in. These daft cats, both of them, lick my skin instead, but only mine In fact the big fella is lying on the desk as i type trying to push my sleeve out of the way so he can get to me . They are such great characters aren't they? Bless 'em.

[MumToTheBoy]

Both of our kittens/ cats lick. One even pins you down so he can lick you! My ds calls him 'the licker' and roars with laughter when it's his turn to be licked

[biddyofsuburbia]

For the salt? Bit gross but possible!? Less terrifying than if you think they may be tenderizing you for a quick snack! Mine rarely lick and I find it really odd so I don't encourage - I would prefer an out and out play bite! I definitely won't be trying the earwax thing

[mckenzie]

I certainly don't encourage it but they seem to really enjoy it so as long as it's not damaging my clothes and I know I can go and have a good wash afterwards, then i do let them.

[biddyofsuburbia]

Oh, not saying there's anything wrong with it mckenzie just that for me gives me a weird jangly feeling (like biting a fork or nails on a blackboard) so I don't like it!! I think it's lovely they are affectionate! My two would rather do that thing where they 'knead' your leg/stomach with their paws with a bit of claw action thrown in, it's like they go into a trance and start dribbling if you let them do it long enough. Not sure I want to know what that is all about!

[blacktreaclecat]

I just tried the earwax thing ( in the interest of science)- Toffee loved it!
He is a licker anyway. He and Treacle cuddle up together and groom each other, so when he licks me I always thought it was affection.

[mckenzie]

my female does that too bibby and the number of times I've had to go and get changed because she's dribbled on me so much is silly. But i do love her so and she is old so she won't be doing it for much longer.

[iklboo]

Bibby cats do this as they used to knead their mothers when they were feeding to stimulate milk flow. My smallest cat kneads my boobs when he comes for a cuddle. I know what you mean about going into a trance!

[Upsy1981]

My old cat when I was younger was a licker-not sure why other than a lovely affectionate gesture when she was getting snuggles. One of our current cats-she's 7 now but still my baby-is an ear lobe sucker! DH refuses to let her do it to him although she tries but I let her. She lies on top of me when I'm trying to go to sleep sucking away. A vet told us once that it is not uncommon for kittens to do it and a few just never grow out of it!