Why Does Your Cat Lick Your Hands? (And Why Does it Sometimes Hurt?)

When you live with a cat, they may lick you from time to time.

It feels nice, as if your cat is showing you affection... but it can hurt a little, can’t it? Sometimes they lick you persistently, and you just have to put up with it.

Why do cats lick their owners’ hands?

To help you build an even closer bond with your cat, we’ll take a detailed look at why cats lick their owners’ hands and what feelings may be behind this behavior.

Why does it hurt when a cat licks you?

It feels nice when your cat licks your hand. But a cat’s tongue isrough. If they keep licking your face or hands, it can even start to hurt.

If you take a close look at a cat’s tongue, you’ll see lots of tiny spines. These projections are calledfiliform papillae, and they are unique to members of the cat family.

Cats are carnivores that hunt and catch prey, but their jaws aren’t particularly strong. Their filiform papillae are thought to have developed to help them scrape meat off bones.

Cats are also ambush hunters. They need to hide their scent so their prey won’t notice them. By using their rough tongues like brushes to groom themselves thoroughly, they keep their coats clean.

A cat’s rough tongue has functions that are essential to its survival.

Why cats lick their own bodies

Cats are naturally animals that spend a lot of time“licking”themselves. One theory is that cats spend two-thirds of the day sleeping and use the rest of their time grooming.

Why do they need to groom so much?

To stay clean

As mentioned above, cats groom themselves to get rid of their scent. They’re especially thorough after eating. This behavior is a remnant of the days when they cleaned their mouths, faces, paws, and front legs to remove the blood and scent of their prey.

To regulate their body temperature

It’s said that cats spread saliva over their coats while grooming, then cool down through evaporative heat loss as the saliva dries. In winter, on the other hand, they fluff up their coats to improve insulation.

To relax

Cats also groom themselves when they’re startled, have made a mistake, or feel stressed. This is called “displacement behavior”: licking themselves helps them calm down. Apparently, it reminds them of being cared for by their mother as kittens.

Why cats lick their owners

Why do cats lick their owners’ hands? Let’s consider what feelings might be behind this behavior.

To show affection

You may see cats who get along grooming one another. This is called“allogrooming,”and it’s a way for cats to show affection to each other.

It has a deeper meaning, too: it conveys “I love you” and helps build trust. It comes from the same instinct as a mother cat licking and caring for her kittens.

In the same way, cats show affection by licking their owners’ hands or faces. It’s a sign that your cat trusts you. So those persistent licks are a display of your cat’s love.

Because they consider you part of their group

In addition to showing affection, grooming between cats also serves as a form ofcommunication. By leaving their scent on another cat, they’re said to be acknowledging them as part of their group.

Your cat may also lick you to thank you after you brush or pet them. If your cat licks your hand, they’ll be happy if you return the favor with plenty of petting.

To leave their scent on you

Cats are sensitive to change. If their owner smells different than usual, they may feel anxious or uncomfortable.To get rid of an unpleasant smell, cats lick their owners’ hands and leave their own scent behind, helping them feel secure.

To get your attention

Cats may lick you when they want attention, are hungry, or want something from you.It’s their way of letting you know they have a request.

Do they want to be held, play, or have some food? As you live with your cat, you may learn to understand what they’re feeling.

How to stop your cat from licking you persistently

It’s adorable when your cat licks you, and you may want to accept their affection and let them lick you as much as they like.

But it can be difficult when they lick you too persistently or lick you while gently biting. Their rough tongues can hurt, too.

When this happens, casually cover your hand with your clothing while petting your cat. Even if it’s only for a little while, they’ll be happy if you play with them using a toy, give them a massage, or otherwise meet their needs.

“I’ll lick you, so could you scratch that itchy spot for me?”

“Stop looking at your computer and look at me.”

“I’d like you to pick me up soon.”

It can be fun to think about what your cat might be asking for when they lick you.

Summary

Cats groom themselves frequently, and grooming serves important purposes beyondkeeping them clean and regulating their body temperature—it also helps them calm down.

When cats lick their owners’ hands, it’s much like grooming another cat. They do it“to show affection,” “because they consider you part of their group,” “to leave their scent on you,” or “to get your attention.”

Those licks are a sign that your cat loves you, so it can be hard to turn them away.

So accept your cat’s affection while finding ways to meet their needs. Make the most of these moments to deepen your bond, and enjoy your time together!