Any skin he finds he wants to lick. It gets annoying and I shoo him away. I don't know his past. I got him from the animal shelter and he's about 9 months old. I've had him for about 4 months.
2007-05-12 21:17:26 · 12 answers · asked by IamwhatIam♥♥♥♥♥ 5 in Pets ➔ Cats
In all honesty, this is a really difficult habit to break as it's a personality trait. It's often seen in kittens who left their mother too early and most cats do grow out of this stage, but not all do.
Our two year old boy cat Merlin is exactly the same. We have tried the usual remedies of saying no everytime he does it, moving him aside and even spraying ourselves with bitter tasting lotions, but these didn't work. Bedtime, is usually when he tries to lick us and I've found that gently blowing in his face (avoid his eyes) will stop him temporarily, but then he just waits till we're asleep to start again (lol). Our situation isn't helped because we also have a female cat who adores it when Merlin washes her, so I guess he just cannot understand why we don't enjoy it too.
Take it as a compliment. It's a sign that he loves you and has bonded closely with you. It can get a bit annoying at times, but in all honesty there are worse habits that some cats develop such as scratching or biting.
2007-05-12 21:43:08 · answer #1 · answered by Michele the Louis Wain cat 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sometimes cats are attracted by the salt in our sweat. Even though you don't feel "sweaty", the salts are still there. What I've found works best for a "kissy" cat is to take the body part he's washed and rub it on him. My "Ramona" loves to lick and when she washes my hand, I rub it on her side and then pet her, lift up her chin and say "stop licking". I don't know if this works, but it distracts her and she moves on to do something else.
2007-05-13 04:25:41 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cats (and dogs) like to lick our skin because our sweat glands secrete salt, among other things.
They don't lick us because they love us, they lick us because to them we taste good. It's normal. I'm glad you adopted a pet from a shelter. They need love. Don't be excessively annoyed. If a cat trusts you enough to lick you chances are he likes you a lot. And that's a big deal with cats.
2007-05-13 04:24:45 · answer #3 · answered by Warren D 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
LOl about first two answers lol..... well , i am not agree with any of the answers, first of all you can't compare it with dogs, they are different, i don't know maybe dog lick cos of sweat salt.....but cats DO lick us because they love us, i always had a cat since i was kid, now i am 24. now a days i have got two persian cats, one is male and he sometimes lick me i noticed he does it when he's hungry, and he recognize me so only lick me not my bro and sis....the other most important thing about cats behavior is their childhood that how they were handled. as you said you had him for 4 months , maybe your cat leave its licking habbit with time.
2007-05-13 04:34:49 · answer #4 · answered by sabia_321 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My experience with my animals is when I have been sweating they like to lick you because your skin is salty. Also animals lick you when you have a wound. It is all a way of showing you that they love you.
2007-05-13 04:26:31 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's a big deal that your cat trusts you enough to lick you. it likes you. and animals like our skin. it's salty. anyway don't blame your cat for licking you because it really loves you. be happy. cat's don't do this very often
2007-05-13 04:46:01 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
dose he need his paws when he licks? if so could be that he was taken away from his mom too soon or maybe he is just licking your sweat for the salt content, do you sweat allot?
2007-05-13 04:24:56 · answer #7 · answered by jennyforrich 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Not only does he love you but, if he licks you and rubs his head on you, he's marking you with his scent.....It's his way of showing any other cat that" this person is mine!"
2007-05-13 04:38:09 · answer #8 · answered by jan 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is the only answer, even if you may not want to believe it: he wants to do it with you.
Enjoy! And don't forget: new experiences can be fun!
P.S. I've hear that domesticated cats can be wilder than their undomesticated counterparts; try not to provoke him too much, if you know what I mean!
2007-05-13 04:23:36 · answer #9 · answered by Grom D 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Maybe he just loves you and is grateful for the rescue. Or it could be the salt. Just be patient and keep letting him know it bugs you and eventually he will stop. Good luck!! DOGS RULE!!!
2007-05-13 04:25:44 · answer #10 · answered by roritr2005 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋