Social Grooming Behavior
To understand why cats lick people, we first need to recognize the behavior known as allogrooming. According to Crowell-Davis et al. (2004), published in theJournal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, allogrooming is an important behavior for maintaining social relationships between cats — closely bonded cats will mutually groom each other's head and neck regions.
van den Bos (1998) further observed that allogrooming behavior is directional: it is typically performed by higher-ranking cats toward lower-ranking individuals. When a cat licks a human, it may be treating the person as a member of its social group, expressing social connection in the same manner. Turner & Bateson (2014) note that this behavior reflects domestic cats' unique ability to "assimilate" humans as social partners.
5 Reasons Why Cats Lick People
1. Expressing Social Intimacy and Belonging
The primary reason is social bonding. Bradshaw (2013) explains in Cat Sensethat cats lick to mark "their people," leaving a shared scent on the other party to reinforce group identity. This is one of the ways cats express affection and trust.
2. Scent Marking and Territorial Behavior
Cat saliva contains pheromones and individual-specific chemical compounds. Pageat & Gaultier (2003), published in Applied Animal Behaviour Science, noted that through licking, cats deposit their own scent on their owners. This is a colony scent-mixing behavior that helps establish a sense of security.
3. Seeking Attention or Food
Cats are quick learners, and if licking frequently results in a response (petting, feeding, interaction), they will associate licking with positive outcomes. This is a classic example of operant conditioning. Some cats may also lick humans because they enjoy the residual salt or food flavors on human skin.
4. Retained Kitten Behavior
Kittens receive intensive grooming from their mothers, creating a strong association between licking and feelings of safety. Beaver (2003) notes that some adult cats retain this juvenile behavior, licking humans as self-soothing when feeling secure or in need of comfort. Cats weaned too early are particularly prone to this behavior.
5. Self-Soothing Under Stress or Anxiety
Licking promotes the release of endorphins, producing a calming effect. Overall (2013) in Manual of Clinical Behavioral Medicine for Dogs and Catsnotes that some cats engage in repetitive licking (including licking people) to self-soothe during anxiety or stress. This type of licking is typically faster-paced and longer in duration, distinguishable from the slow licking seen in relaxed states.
Warning Signs of Excessive Licking
Moderate licking of humans is normal social interaction, but the following situations may indicate a problem:
- Compulsive licking: Licking that cannot be stopped and persists for extended periods may be a manifestation of compulsive disorder. According to Luescher (2003), compulsive behaviors in cats require combined behavioral and pharmacological intervention.
- Concurrent excessive self-grooming: If the cat not only licks people but also over-grooms itself to the point of hair loss, this may indicate stress or dermatological conditions.
- Accompanying suckling behavior: Licking accompanied by suckling on blankets or clothing may be related to early weaning or anxiety.
- Sudden increase in frequency: A cat that rarely licked people suddenly licking frequently warrants consideration of environmental stressors or health issues.
How to Respond Correctly
- Accept and enjoy: If it is normal social licking and you do not mind, you can view it as your cat's way of expressing affection and there is no need to stop it.
- Gently redirect: If being licked feels uncomfortable, gently redirect your cat's attention to a toy or treats like GOOD! Freeze-Dried Snacks. Avoid pushing the cat away directly.
- Never punish: Licking is a form of cat communication. Punishing licking behavior damages the trust between human and cat. AAFP behavioral guidelines explicitly advise against punishing social behaviors.
- Observe the context: Pay attention to when and in what situations licking occurs to help determine whether it stems from affection, attention-seeking, or anxiety.
- Provide alternative social interaction: Increasing daily play and petting time to meet your cat's social needs may reduce excessive licking.
When You Should Be Concerned
- Licking behavior changes suddenly (noticeable changes in frequency, intensity, or timing)
- Accompanied by other behavioral changes (decreased appetite, increased hiding, heightened aggression)
- Excessive self-grooming resulting in patches of hair loss
- The cat appears agitated rather than relaxed while licking
- Licking accompanied by drooling or oral abnormalities
According to ISFM behavioral assessment guidelines, any sudden behavioral change should first be evaluated for medical causes. If your cat's licking behavior concerns you, start with a health checkup and seek referral to a veterinary behaviorist if necessary.
References
- Beaver, B. V. (2003). Feline Behavior: A Guide for Veterinarians (2nd ed.). Saunders.
- Bradshaw, J. W. S. (2013). Cat Sense: The Feline Enigma Revealed. Allen Lane / Penguin Books.
- Crowell-Davis, S. L., Curtis, T. M., & Knowles, R. J. (2004). "Social organization in the cat: A modern understanding." Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, 6(1), 19-28.
- Luescher, A. U. (2003). "Diagnosis and management of compulsive disorders in dogs and cats." Veterinary Clinics of North America: Small Animal Practice, 33(2), 253-267.
- Overall, K. L. (2013). Manual of Clinical Behavioral Medicine for Dogs and Cats. Elsevier.
- Pageat, P., & Gaultier, E. (2003). "Current research in canine and feline pheromones." Veterinary Clinics of North America: Small Animal Practice, 33(2), 187-211.
- Turner, D. C., & Bateson, P. (Eds.). (2014). The Domestic Cat: The Biology of its Behaviour (3rd ed.). Cambridge University Press.
- van den Bos, R. (1998). "The function of allogrooming in domestic cats." Journal of Ethology, 16(1), 1-13.