Why Does My Cat Lick Me, Themselves, And Household Objects?
If you’re a cat parent, you’ve likely noticed your cat licking you, themselves, or different things around the house. This odd behavior may leave you wondering, why does my cat lick everything?
We’re here to help you answer that question. In this guide, you’ll find common reasons cats lick things, learn when it might be a sign of trouble, and discover ways to manage this feline behavior.
Table of Contents
Reasons Cats Lick Their Owners
While everyone knows dogs show affection by licking, cats are not usually known for this behavior. That said, some cats lick their owners as a way to demonstrate love and trust.
Let’s look at other reasons your cat may lick you.
Why Does My Cat Lick Me?
In the wild, cats rely on grooming to bond and maintain relationships within their social groups. It helps establish dominance, accept others into the family, and build trust.
By licking you, your cat may be trying to communicate. They might be trying to train you to recognize they’re in charge. Or they could be letting you know they trust you and consider you a family member.
Your cat could also be trying to tell you they’re hungry and want something delicious to lick. Try feeding them some GRAVY INDULGENCE™ from SHEBA®. This wet food has a high Gravy ratio (70% gravy, 30% chunks) that cats go crazy for!
Why Does My Cat Bite Then Lick Me?
Since your cat can’t talk to you, they use their actions to communicate. A gentle bite followed by licking may indicate your cat wants to play. Kitties can be very affectionate!
On the other hand, if this biting happens while you’re petting your feline friend, they might be trying to say they’re ready for a break. Cats might be affectionate, but — as any cat owner knows — they can also be pretty temperamental.
Why Does My Cat Lick My Face?
Did you recently eat something your cat finds tempting? Cats have an acute sense of smell and may get a whiff of something they want to taste.
They might also be trying to groom you as a sign of affection. It could be their way of saying, “I love you.”
Why Does My Cat Lick My Hair?
Cats have a playful nature. And let’s face it: your hair does some pretty spectacular things. It blows in the wind, catches the light in interesting ways, and smells great.
In other words, it’s a cat’s dream toy, meaning it's fun for them to lick!
Why Does My Cat Lick My Hands, Feet, And Toes?
Most cats don’t like licking fabric. So if they’re trying to lick you, they’ll aim for bare areas — like your hands, feet, and toes. Here are a few more reasons your cat might be licking these parts of you:
- They like the salt that accumulates there from your sweat
- They want your attention
- They like the scent of your lotion or soap
Reasons Cats Lick Themselves
Why Does My Cat Lick Themselves?
Cats may lick themselves as a form of self-soothing or stress relief. If they’re feeling overstimulated, anxious, or bored, they may turn to grooming.
Their saliva also helps distribute natural oils throughout their coat. This keeps their fur shiny and healthy.
Why Does My Cat Lick Their Lips?
Have you ever licked your lips before a great meal? Cats do the same thing. When hungry for something delicious, like GRAVY INDULGENCE™, they might lick their lips to say, “Bring it on!” After a meal, they might lick their lips to get all the gravy goodness off their mouth and whiskers.
However, if they’re licking their lips constantly and the action doesn’t seem to be food-related, it could indicate a dental problem. Consider taking them to the vet if you notice this behavior more than normal.
Why Does My Cat Lick Their Paws?
Cats’ paws are like our hands; they use them for lots of different tasks, which means their paws will naturally get dirty. They may lick their paws to clean off dirt or debris they picked up while walking.
Why Do Cats Lick Each Other?
Cats can’t exactly shake hands to greet each other like humans, so, as we mentioned earlier, they rely on grooming for social interaction.
Mutual grooming strengthens the bond between cats and helps them establish a hierarchy within the group.
Why Cats Lick Household Things
Why Does My Cat Lick Plastic?
Let’s face it: plastic can smell tantalizing to a cat, especially if it’s a plastic container or bag that once held food.
However, licking plastic can also be a sign of Pica. This is a condition where cats have a compulsive urge to eat non-food items. The behavior can be caused by stress, boredom, or nutritional deficiencies.
Why Does My Cat Lick My Blanket?
As we mentioned, cats typically avoid licking fabric because their tongue can get caught on the threads. However, some cats engage in a compulsive behavior known as wool-sucking, when they lick, suck, or chew on soft materials — like blankets.
Though its cause isn’t completely understood, scientists think early weaning and smaller litters are contributing factors.
Why Does My Cat Lick The Walls And Floor?
If you’ve noticed your cat licking the walls and floor, they may feel bored or stressed. The behavior might improve if you spend time playing with your kitty each day.
Ensuring they have access to fresh water also helps. Sometimes, cats lick walls because moisture has accumulated there.
Excessive Cat Licking
Typically, cats licking everything isn’t a big deal. It’s harmless curiosity. However, sometimes excessive licking can indicate a more serious concern. Here are the warning signs to watch for.
Signs To Watch For
If you notice your cat excessively licking, watch for any changes in their behavior or physical appearance, such as:
- Hair loss or bald patches
- Redness or skin irritation
- Changes in appetite
- Weight loss
- Increased aggression
- Eating non-edibles
- Fixation on licking (which means you can’t distract them from the behavior)
These signs combined with the action of excessive licking may indicate an underlying health condition or nutritional deficiency.
When To See A Vet About Excessive Licking
If your cat’s licking behavior interferes with their daily routine or causes harm, it’s time to seek professional help. A vet can help you rule out any problems and develop a treatment plan. Here are some conditions they might look for:
- Allergies
- Dental problems
- Anxiety or stress
- Skin infections
- Gastrointestinal issues
- Neurological disorders
Your vet may need to do bloodwork or other diagnostic tests to determine what’s going on with your kitty. Depending on the diagnosis, they may recommend medication, dietary changes, or behavioral therapy.
Indulge Your Cat's Licking Instincts With SHEBA® GRAVY INDULGENCE™
Why does your cat lick everything? Usually, because they’re trying to communicate something. And now you get to put on your detective’s cap and figure out what that something is.
Is your cat feeling anxious or playful? Are they trying to groom you and show you some love? Or is their licking excessive behavior that you should talk to the vet about?
You’re likely not the only thing your cat’s licking. Cats are known for their grooming habits (opens in new window) and spend up to 50%(opens in new window)of their time trying to clean themselves.
Here are a few other reasons why your cat might be licking themselves.
Some cats lick objects around the house, such as furniture or plastic. Let’s look at common reasons your cat licks everything in sight.
You can always indulge your cat’s licking instincts with SHEBA® GRAVY INDULGENCE™ wet cat food. After all, cats might lick everything, but what they really want is extra gravy. GRAVY INDULGENCE™ is available in a variety of delicious flavors:
- SHEBA® GRAVY INDULGENCE™ Beef
- SHEBA® GRAVY INDULGENCE™ Beef and Chicken Variety Pack
- SHEBA® GRAVY INDULGENCE™ Chicken
- SHEBA® GRAVY INDULGENCE™ Salmon
- SHEBA® GRAVY INDULGENCE™ Salmon and White Fish Variety Pack
- SHEBA® GRAVY INDULGENCE™ White Fish
And SHEBA® GRAVY INDULGENCE™ wet cat food isn’t just tasty — it’s also nutritious. Our formulas are grain-free and crafted with essential vitamins and minerals to help support your cat’s overall health.
So give your cat what they crave with SHEBA®. They’ll love you even more for it!