I have 2 kids. Twitch and Gizmo. I got them when they was 5 weeks old kittens, they are now 5 months shy of 3 yrs. They are from the same litter. Both cats love to lick me. Twitch licks from nose to forehead and Gizmo eyebrows, earlobes, and top portion of neck. Giz started it when he was about 1 yr and Twitch aprox 1 1/2 yr. Both was fixed about 7-8 months ago. The licking didnt stop when they was fixed. Giz also after he is done licking me will headbutt me and then lay his forehead up against my chin or neck and lay there for a while. My question is.....Why do they do this? and 2nd is it somehow harmful to them. I dont think it is but wanted to check. It doesnt really bother me but just wanted to make sure its not hurting my babies in some way and also was curious as to why they do this. And for all the smarta** out there.....yes I do bath daily so its NOT due to me being dirty or anything. Thanks!
2006-11-03 03:52:11 · 23 answers · asked by Teya 2 in Pets ➔ Cats
Isn't it wonderful how animals return our love? It's truly one of their many ways of showing you that "you're that cat's meow"! LOL Treasure it, and don't worry...the little furballs aren't with us for very long...another thing that my cat does is she follows me from room to room (I can't even have any privacy in the bathroom or she'll claw at the door and ram-up against it) lol, and they make eye contact and "speak" to us. My husband asks me if I want a cuppa tea, and my cat, Cinnamon, responds with a hearty "mmreow", because she knows that we give her a little dot of milk every time.....they're so funny, and they make their requests known! I just love her to pieces!
2006-11-03 04:19:25 · answer #1 · answered by lookn2cjc 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
This is sooooo normal! They are both signs of affection. The licking is a form of grooming. It's much like monkeys picking bugs off each other or nit picking. It's has nothing to do with you being dirty. It is about them showing you that they love you so much they want to clean you. The headbutting thing is kind of the same thing. If a cat rubs his/her face on you it is to mark you with their sent. That way other cats know you are their human. It is all completely harmless.
2006-11-03 06:04:25 · answer #2 · answered by amandapanda74 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Congratulations! Your cats love you, alot. They are preening/grooming you. They are treating you like a littermate, the way their mother would treat them. It begins with grooming and ends by being truly content. They are probably gravitating to your neck because:
its warm and
they can feel your pulse.
They are soothed by the rhythm of your breathing and your pulse. This is not harmful to them, BUT parasites from them can be transmitted to you. So, it is advisable not to allow kisses on the lips. All creatures, including us, have our own brand of parasites. They cause the host no harm, but when they cross to a different species, such as feline to human, there can sometimes be a little upset. Some signs can be flu-like symptoms. Don't forget, they're using that same tongue to groom themselves EVERYWHERE. Love the attention, try not to worry.
2006-11-03 04:02:49 · answer #3 · answered by ringer982000 1 · 6⤊ 0⤋
cats do this as a sign of both affection, and ownership. Cats have glands in their mouths that secrete their own special scent. When you'll see them rubbing their face across a couch, wall, tree etc., they are marking out their territory. a vigorous nibbling, rubbing, grooming session does the same thing to you! Cleans you up, and makes you smell like 'theirs'.
And don't worry about it being harmful to them... when you consider all the other things a cat licks in a day, it's more likely your health you should worry about, not theirs : )
2006-11-03 04:07:39 · answer #4 · answered by Kareen L 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Cats greet each other by head-butting. The licking is probably a behavior left over from their kitten days. They are just showing affection and it won't hurt anyone.
2006-11-03 04:40:06 · answer #5 · answered by monica m 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cats do this to show that you are a part of their family. Have you ever seen a mother cat clean her young? They are taking on the responsability of cleaning you, because they think instead of you taking care of them, They take care of you. :o) It is safe for them to lick you as much as they want. They are just showing the love and affection they have for you. You must have two very sweet cats!
2006-11-03 04:26:19 · answer #6 · answered by Jenna 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's kind of funny! I've had cats all my life (I'm 47) and I've heard of them continually sucking on skin etc. if taken from their mother to young,(which yours was, at 5 weeks. They should be at least 6 weeks.) but never have I heard of them starting at 1-1/2 yrs. However I have heard that most cats like salt (not table salt) so perhaps you're just irresistible to them. I don't think it's anything to worry about.
2006-11-03 04:11:43 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
So Cute! My cats are kinda the same way. So cute, my little girl will get so into you petting her that she'll grab your hand and start sucking and biting on it. My Spunky will come curl up in my hair any time I'm sitting on the couch, and start like suckling on it. I don't think this is harmful to them. I think my Spunky does it because he thinks I'm his "momma" and little girl just never grew out of the whole nursing thing. So my advice is if they enjoy it, and it doesn't bother you, consider it a bonding experience. I don't think you're hurting them in any way. Cat's are the best companions to have, you just have to put up with their mood swings and little corky personalities.
2006-11-03 04:49:39 · answer #8 · answered by StonerChick 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The licking and head butting are signs of affection. Your kitties love you and think very highly of you! Our cats do these things also. Unless you have anything toxic on your skin, it does not hurt them to lick you. Consider yourself to be a very lucky pet owner! Cute names, by the way! Ours are named Scooter and Daisy. :)
2006-11-03 04:03:11 · answer #9 · answered by Starscape 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I have 4 cats. I have one that licks me. One that kneads me and drools in my hair. One that will nibble on me if she wants attention and another that will smack me around a bit if he is not getting is fair share. Cats have very strange ways of showing their affection. And if they are getting it then it works. I don't think their is anything wrong with it. Also cats have scent glands in the sides of their face by their wiskers when they rub their face on you they are marking you as theirs! I would take the attention as a compliment as we all know just how picky cats can be.
2006-11-03 04:02:30 · answer #10 · answered by saxguru20 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋