Why does my cat lick me?

[fluffydressinggown]

If I stroke the cat or she is sitting next to me she likes to lick me, usually my hands or my arms. Sometimes she interrupts her own cleaning to wash my arm for me as well.

She is very friendly, likes to sit next to me or on my knee, purrs all the time so I think it is just her showing me how much she likes me, but my friend said it can be due to them craving salt or something?

I think she's just grooming you because she loves you. If she were trying to lick your armpits then I would guess she was one of those strange sweat-craving cats (I have one of those ), but if its just your arms it won't be that.

It's true luff.

My youngest was handreared from just under 2 weeks old. She spends more time washing me than herself. This is how come I was awake at before six am this morning. A good wash with what feels like wet sandpaper is not compatible with sleep.

She is the only one that does it. It's possible that she thinks I am an odd looking furfree mpther cat. She loves it if I wash her back. But no tongues! I just rub my face against the top of her head in the same action and she goes all soppy.

Aw - it's definitely a sign of love!
Carpe, my girl loves rubbing her face and jaw against mine, and she loves doing the kneading thing on my poor boobs in the morning!
The boy doesn't knead but instead sucks my fingers and toes. All in all I wake up a bit of a chewed up wreck!
OP - is she a tortie by any chance?

She is sat next to me purring away and cleaning my arm as I type! I also get kneaded and head butted a lot.

She is not a tortie, she is black and white (picture on my profile) only had her for a month or so which is why I am a bit surprised she is so bonded. She is a rescue, the RSPCA said she is about three, she was found abandoned and thin and now it is like she has always been here. She is my little buddy, she follows me round and waits for me outside the bathroom when I go in it!

mine does this, but only my feet when I have flip flops on and when he wants food. It drives me nuts! He also washes his sister as does she to him. And then they hiss at each other and run off Oh they are tabby and ginger and white moggies btw

Aw, she looks very content in those photos.

just be glad she waits outside the bathroom. one of mine follows you in if your not looking then tries to jump on your knee to clean you when you've sat down!

One of mine cleans me, about 30 minutes non stop licking is his record ! he is nearly 12 and has always done it. licks any bit of exposed skin he can get at,doesn't do it to anyone else except once to one friend who was abit taken a back.

Mine used to slobber all over me, she would now if I let her! She gets an occasional sly lick on me here and there. Its rather off putting when you saw them bum licking a minute earlier... I let her go for my toes or legs otherwise I dissuade her. It is cute though. I like it when they follow me round the house like an entourage.

One of my foster cats used to sit on the back of my computer chair and groom my hair, I think he helped me write my dissertation.