If your cat keeps licking your eyes, this post will show you a number of possible causes and what you can do about them.
So, why does my cat lick my eyes? Likely reasons why your cat licks your eyes are that it is grooming you, it likes the taste of your eyes and around your eyes, or that it is being affectionate.
It could be the case that your cat has been licking your eyes for multiple 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 and there are a number of things you can do about it.
Why does my cat lick my eyes?
Below are some possible causes and what would make them more likely.
It is grooming you
Cats will often groom each other to help keep their fur clean and to show affection. The reason why your cat licks your eyes might be that your cat is grooming you. This would be more likely if your cat doesn’t only lick your eyes and if it also licks things such as your hair.
Related: Why does my cat lick my mouth?
It is being affectionate
A part of the cause is likely to be that your cat is showing you affection. This would be more likely if your cat tends to lick you more when you are petting it.
It likes how you taste
Another possible reason why your cat has been doing it is that it likes the way that your eyes taste and the area around your eyes. This would be more likely if your cat only licks your cat seems to lick your eyes more at a certain time such as after you have put something around your eyes such as makeup.
Related: Why does my cat lick my nose?
To mark its scent
It could also be the case that your cat has been doing it in order to spread its scent on to you. This would be more likely if your cat also rubs itself on you when licks your eyes. By spreading its scent on to you, it will be that other animals will enter its territory and will help to keep your cat safer.
Anxiety
It could also be the case that it has some anxiety. This would be more likely if your cat tends to lick your eyes more when you are leaving home or when something else could be causing it to be anxious.
Things to consider about your cat licking your eyes
Below are some things to consider when figuring out the main reason why your cat has been licking your eyes.
If your cat has always licked your eyes
If your cat has not always licked your eyes, it would help to consider what else happened when your cat first started licking them. If your cat started doing it suddenly, it might be the case that your cat became more comfortable around you after initially being timid in a new environment or because you started interacting with it differently.
What else is different when your cat licks your eyes
It would also help to consider if there is a certain time that your cat tends to lick your eyes. For example, if your cat does it more when you are holding it, the cause would be more likely that it is showing affection.
What to do about your cat licking your eyes
Below are some things you can do about your cat licking your eyes.
Redirect its focus
The first option would be to redirect your cat’s focus when it seems likely to start licking your eyes. One way to do so could be to pet it in a different spot or to hold it differently.
Give it distractions
If your cat also licks your eyes when you are not petting your cat, another option would be to give your cat things to be distracted by such as toys.
Get it to sit in a different spot
If your cat tends to lick your eyes when it is sitting with you, you could also get your cat to sit in a different spot. By doing so, it will be harder for your cat to lick your eyes.