If your cat licks you when you are sleeping, this post will show you a number of possible causes and what you can do about them.
So, why does my cat lick me when I’m sleeping? Possible reasons why your cat licks you when you’re sleeping are that it is grooming you, it wants something from you or that it is being affectionate.
There are actually a number of possible reasons why your cat does it and it might be due to a combination of reasons. However, there are some things to consider to help figure out the main cause and there are some things you can do about it.
Why does my cat lick me when I’m sleeping?
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
It is not unusual for cats to lick each other while one of them is sleeping. The most likely reason why your cat licks you when you’re sleeping could be that your cat is grooming you. This would be more likely if your cat also licks itself at the same time.
Related: Why does my cat lick me then bite me?
It wants something from you
The reason why your cat does it might also be that your cat is trying to get you to give it something. This would be more likely if your cat tends to lick you in the morning before you have fed it.
Related: Why does my cat lick me in the morning?
It is being affectionate
A part of the cause is also likely to be that your cat is being affectionate. This would be more likely if your cat also shows signs of being happy when it is doing it such as by purring and kneading.
Things to consider
Below are some things to consider to help figure out the main reason why your cat has been doing it.
If your cat has always licked you while you sleep
If your cat did not always lick you while you sleep, it would help to consider what else happened when your cat first started doing it. For example, if your cat started doing it when you started sleeping in longer in the mornings, the cause would be more likely to be that it is trying to remind you to feed it.
What else is different when your cat licks you while you sleep
It would also help to consider the timing of when it licks you. If it does it when it has already been fed, it would be more likely that your cat is grooming you and being affectionate.
What to do about your cat licking you when you sleep
Below are some options you have to help get your cat to stop doing it.
Avoid encouraging it
When your cat starts licking you, it would help to get your cat to sit elsewhere. By doing this whenever it starts licking you, it should teach your cat that licking you results in it not being able to sit with you.
Get it to sit elsewhere
Another option would be to get it to sit in another spot whenever you want to sleep. By doing this, your cat will not be able to lick you.