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Why does my cat lick my fingers?

If your cat licks your fingers a lot, this post will show you why and what you can do about it.

So, why does my cat lick my fingers? Likely reasons why your cat licks your fingers are that it is grooming you, it likes the taste of your fingers, or that it is being affectionate.

Your cat might actually lick your fingers for a number of reasons and it might be due to a combination of them. However, there are some things you can consider to help figure out the main cause and there are some things you can do about it.

Why does my cat lick my fingers?

Below are possible reasons why your cat has been doing it 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 does it could be that it is grooming you. This would be more likely if your cat doesn’t only lick your fingers and if it also licks things such as your hair.

It likes how you taste

The reason why your cat licks your fingers could also be that it likes the way that your fingers taste. This would be more likely if your cat only licks your hands and fingers and if it tends to do it more at a certain time such as when you have just been cooking and your hands likely taste better.

Related: Why does my cat lick my nose?

It is being affectionate

A part of the reason 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.

To mark its scent

It might also be the case that your cat has been doing it 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. 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.

Anxiety

It could also be the case that it has some anxiety. This would be more likely if your cat tends to do it 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 fingers

Below are some things to consider when figuring out the main reason why your cat has been licking your fingers.

If your cat has always licked your fingers

If your cat did not always lick your fingers, it would help to consider what else happened when your cat first started doing it. If your cat started doing it suddenly, it might be the case that your cat became more comfortable around you or because you started interacting with it differently.

What else is different when your cat licks your fingers

It would also help to consider if there is a certain time that your cat tends to lick your fingers. For example, if your cat licks your fingers more after you have been cooking, it would be more likely that your cat likes the taste and smell of your fingers.

What to do about your cat licking your fingers

Below are some things you can do about your cat licking your fingers.

Redirect its focus

The first option would be to redirect your cat’s focus when it seems likely to start licking your fingers. One way to do so could be to pet it in a different spot.

Give it distractions

If your cat also licks your fingers when you are not petting it, 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 fingers when it is sitting next to 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 fingers.

Why does my cat lick my fingers when I pet it?

If your cat licks your fingers when you are petting it, the cause would be more likely to be that your cat is either showing you affection or doing it because it likes the way your fingers taste.

Why does my cat lick my fingers then bite me?

Cats can go from enjoying you petting them to not enjoying you petting them very quickly. The reason why your cat licks your fingers then bites could be that it has decided that it has enough of you petting it. Cats also will bite when they are showing affection and it might also be why yours bites your fingers. This would be more likely if your cat bites your fingers while also showing signs of pleasure such as purring or kneading.

Why does my cat lick my fingers in the morning?

If your cat tends to lick your fingers more in the morning, it might be because it smells food on your hands. This would be more likely if your cat does it more after you have cooked or given it food.

Why does my cat lick my fingers at night?

If your cat tends to lick your fingers at night, the cause could be that it is anxious. This would be more likely if your cat can not sleep with you.