why do cats lick their owners?
I recently adopted this stray cat, and we play. He doesnt plays with his cat toys, NO! He rathers wrestle me (well my hand) he grabs my hand and bites me(not hard, doesnt even leaves marks) and then he licks my hand. Some other times I am petting him and he turns around to lick my hand. Or some others he just comes and licks my hand for no apparent reason. Why does he do that? I know my dog licks me because she wants to show her affection, but I don’t know about cats.
It’s a form of affection. They are grooming you. Cats groom each other as well. A cat will also mark you with their scent by rubbing the corners of their mouths on you which means you belong to them. Oh, cats pay special attention to the hand because it is what plays with them, pets them, and feeds them. My cats also pay more attention to my hand than any other part of my body. "All hail the mighty hand" is what I imagine when my cats focus on it. He’s just showing that he loves you.
December 3rd, 2010 at 2:59 pm
cats do it to show affection too. part of it could be that he was seperated from his mother too early but it is nothing to worry about! he just loves his mommy! and thank you for adopting a stray! I love animals and I hate to see them abused or killed!
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December 3rd, 2010 at 3:44 pm
It’s a form of affection. They are grooming you. Cats groom each other as well. A cat will also mark you with their scent by rubbing the corners of their mouths on you which means you belong to them. Oh, cats pay special attention to the hand because it is what plays with them, pets them, and feeds them. My cats also pay more attention to my hand than any other part of my body. "All hail the mighty hand" is what I imagine when my cats focus on it. He’s just showing that he loves you.
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December 3rd, 2010 at 3:59 pm
Like the other posters said, he’s grooming you. But DON’T wrestle with him with your hand, because you are training him to bite hands (and vet’s hands)!!!
Keep trying to experiment with INTERACTIVE cat toys and let him attack that. When he bites you, end playtime and get away from him. He hopefully will learn that biting you isn’t acceptable.
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December 3rd, 2010 at 4:45 pm
This is a sign of affection. My cat also does the same to me sometimes, but without the biting. My cat also licks my hands after I have eaten something tasty (cheeky bugger!). But really, cherish it because your cat loves you
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December 3rd, 2010 at 4:53 pm
maybe to show that only you are his or hers owner and to show that he or she loves you
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