Why does my cat lick me and other interesting questions about cats!

Cats are known as colder, aloof and closed off animals. The truth is that they have his needs and his feelings, but without expressing them so clearly as dogs do for example. It is therefore important to learn to decipher the messages hidden behind their small acts. Although the latter may seem bizarre and quite inexplicable, they are never free. You then wonder why your cat licks you, why it follows you everywhere, why it bites and sleeps on you? Read our article to find the answers to all his questions!

A happy cat in the company of its owner

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2 Why does my cat follow me everywhere?

3 Why does my cat lie on me?

4 Why do cats bite?

Why does my cat lick me?

The truth is, you can never know for sure what really made the cat lick you. However, veterinarians and cat behavior experts offer a few possible reasons.

Showing affection

For cats, licking is not only a grooming mechanism, but also a way to show affection. By licking you, other cats, or even other pets, your cat creates a social bond. Some of this behavior may stem from the kitten's childhood, when its mother licked it to groom it, but also to show it care. Many cats carry on this behavior into adulthood, licking their humans to convey the same feeling.

A cat playing with her kitten

Toilet time

Marking their territory

You may know that animals like to mark their territory. Cats, too, have many ways of doing this. They rub, they scratch and unfortunately they pulverize. Licking is perhaps the cutest and least harmful behavior for the good condition of the house and the furniture that is intended to show belonging.

Why does my cat lick my hand?

Cleaning his master

Of course you don't rely on your cat to maintain your personal hygiene. Yet he does not know. Specialists note that cats that live in groups tend to clean each other. This explains why your cat licks you. He simply wants to clean you up and show you belong to the group.

The cat's instinct to clean up the other cats in the group

Two cats licking each other

Taste something interesting

Did you know that the sense of taste in cats is much more attenuated than in humans. By licking you, these animals can therefore know what you have done or what you have touched. If you have touched certain food products or other animals, the taste of your hands would be interesting for the cat and would encourage it to lick you. If you've been working out, for example, your sweat may have left a salty residue on your skin.

Why does my cat lick me when I come home?

Cats sense fine tastes and odors

Coping with stress

Sometimes cats lick you or themselves to soothe themselves. Then try to link excessive licking with a more or less abrupt change in the environment and the daily life of the pet. It can be a move, a new family member, new food, etc. Generally, this type of licking is nothing to worry about unless your cat is grooming so much that her skin becomes rough or creates bald patches. In this case, you should consult a veterinarian to find out what you can do to help your cat.

Licking – a cure for stress

Attracting your master's attention

Sometimes you shouldn't go too deep. The reason could be quite simple. The cat may lick because it wants attention, food or caress. Some meow, others purr. There are also those who lick.

Why does it hurt when my cat licks me?

As mentioned before, one of the purposes of cat licking is cleaning. This is why its tongue is covered with small spines called papillae. These taste buds are made up of keratin, the same substance that makes up human fingernails. The papillae help the cleaning process by allowing saliva to penetrate to the skin of the animal and thus remove the dirt.

The rough tongue of cats

How do I stop my cat from licking me?

In general, licking is not a problem or a danger for you or your cat. Still, if it annoys you mostly because of its rough tongue, try distracting the animal. You can stroke it, give it a toy or a treat. If the licking becomes too excessive and damages the cat's skin, consult a veterinarian.

Why does my cat follow me everywhere?

There are many reasons. This can be completely normal behavior, but can also signal a problem. Inform yourself!

Enjoying your company

Yes, cats can like it even though they seem a bit cold. If your cat follows you everywhere, it is simply because he enjoys your company and wants to be with you, especially if you have just come home after a longer or shorter absence. In addition, it is interesting for him to observe how you move, the acts you perform. For example, he watches how you water the flowers so that he can then take care of them himself!

Cats need your attention

Need attention

Cats purr, meow or follow you around simply because they need attention. They may need food, toilet cleaning, or a cuddle. Sometimes the week goes unnoticed, we are full of tasks. Still, we must not forget to give our little domestic friend some love.

Need a change in diet

Your cat just ate, but he purrs and follows you everywhere? He might need a change in diet or more specifically in the amount of food. This is completely normal for growing cats. You can consult a veterinarian to make sure your feline is getting the nutrition it needs.

Did you give the cat enough food?

Feeling uncomfortable

If your cat is trying to stay close to you, they may feel uncomfortable due to stress or illness. You can kiss or pet her to soothe her. If this bizarre behavior continues and if your cat's anxiety increases, you are advised to consult a veterinarian.

Why does my cat lie on top of me?

The body temperature of a cat varies between 37.5 and 39°C. He always looks for sunny or warm places, for example near a fireplace or an air conditioner. It is completely normal therefore that your body heat attracts the cat, especially during the winter months. If you had a fever, you would be even more attractive. The hottest parts of your body are your head, chest, and armpits, and cats usually choose one of these. If you want to give the cat an alternative, you can buy him a heated bed. However, the bed could not replace the human presence and the feeling of security that we give to our feline.

Cats like body heat

Why do cats bite?

Does your cat bite? Don't worry, this is quite common and completely normal. This does not necessarily mean that your cat is aggressive. It is a natural instinct that should not be completely stifled, but it should have certain limits. A large number of owners complain that their felines bite without any reason or provocation. As we have already said, the actions of these sometimes mysterious animals could be difficult to decipher, but never free!

Sign of irritation

Cats are quite sensitive animals. For them the boundary between a pleasant caress and an irritating caress is very thin. This is one of the reasons why they sometimes start biting while you are petting them. There is no aggressiveness in this action, it is rather the message “I have had enough”. In this case, you simply have to stop.

Bite to play

If you've seen a group of kittens, you've probably noticed that one of their favorite games is biting one another the other. It is an instinct that comes from the ferocious origin of cats. By playing, the little ones learn to hunt and attack their prey. So let's say the cat gives you the role of prey. Still, he won't hurt you like kittens don't hurt each other.

If you don't want to be the prey anyway, you can buy toys that will do it for you. Toys that move will be even more attractive. Another option is to show your cat that you prefer softer games. When he starts playing with his paws, but without claws or teeth, you can reward him with a treat.

Two kittens playing together

Aggressive biting

It is very important to be able to differentiate friendly play from an aggressive attack out of fear. Besides, it's not difficult at all. During a game the cat is animated, but calm. He is happy, he jumps, he runs, he lies on his back. On the contrary, the attack and the aggressive bite are accompanied by hissing and a defensive or arching posture. In the second case, the cat should not be allowed to bite. He must understand that you do not approve of this kind of behavior. Take into consideration, however, that disciplining the animal physically at such a time will simply complicate the situation. Instead, try removing the object of fear and irritation to appease the cat.