This post will show you why your cat licks you and purrs.
So, why does my cat lick me and purr? Possible reasons why your cat licks you and purrs are that it is grooming you, it is being affectionate, it likes how you taste, or that it is marking its scent on to you.
Your cat might actually lick you and purr for a number of reasons and it might be due to a combination of them. However, there are some things you can consider when figuring out the main cause.
Reasons why your cat licks you and purrs
Below are a number of possible reasons why your cat has been doing it and what would make each of them more likely to be the main reason.
It is grooming you
Cats will often groom each other to help keep their fur clean and to show affection. A part of the reason why your cat does it could be that it is grooming you. This would be more likely if your cat doesn’t only lick your hands and if it also licks things such as your hair.
It is being affectionate
A possible cause is that your cat is showing affection back to you. This would be more likely if your cat does it when you are petting it and it also starts kneading.
It likes the taste of you
The reason why your cat licks you and purrs could also be that it likes the way that you taste. This would be more likely if your cat tends to lick you more when your hands have food on them or after you have been cooking.
To mark its scent
It could also be the case that your cat has been licking you in order to mark its scent on to you. This would be more likely if your cat also rubs itself on you when it does it and if it does not only lick your hands. By marking its scent on to you, it will make it less likely that other animals will enter its territory and will help to keep it safer.
It likes the way you are petting it
If your cat licks you and purrs while you are petting it, it might also be the case that your cat does it because it wants you to pet it more. This would be more likely if it rubs itself against you, purrs and brushes its head against your hand.
Things to consider about your cat licking you and purring
Below are some things to consider when figuring out the main reason why your cat has been doing it.
If your cat has always licked you and purred
If your cat did not always lick you and purr, it would help to consider what else happened when it first started doing it. If it started doing it suddenly after you recently bought or adopted it, it could be a sign that it has become more comfortable around you.
What else is different when your cat licks you and purrs
If your cat tends to do it more in a certain situation, it would also help to consider what is different about the timing. For example, if it does it when you are petting it, the cause could be that it is being affectionate or grooming you.
What to do about your cat licking you and purring
Let it do it
Licking you and purring is likely a good sign and it is likely that it means that your cat is happy. The best option would likely be to let your cat continue doing it.
Give it distractions
If you do not want your cat to lick you, another option would be to give your cat distractions when it seems likely to start licking you.