Why do cats groom people?
Cats spend almost half of their waking hours grooming themselves but often they’ll extend grooming services to humans too. So why do some felines love to lick our skin and hair?
It’s a sign of affection
The first experience cats remember is their mother’s tongue grooming them. Licking is a soothing, comforting sensation for cats so like the mother cat cleaning their kittens, grooming communicates affection and fondness.
It’s a part of social bonding
Your cat’s constant licking marks you as a member of their family group. Just like cat’s scratch certain territory to mark it as their own, grooming your skin and hair is a way to impart their scent on you and declare you are part of their family – just as they would for their young or feline friends.
It might be anxiety
Sometimes licking can be a response to stress, anxiety or illness as grooming is familiar and comforting behaviour for cats. Some cats have licked themselves bald so be aware of any signs that your cat is excessively grooming.
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