If your cat has been licking your hair, this post will show you why and what you can do about it.
So, why does my cat lick my hair? Likely reasons why your cat licks your hair are that it is grooming you, it likes the taste of your hair, or that it is being affectionate.
Your cat might actually lick your hair 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 and there are some things you can do about it.
Why does my cat lick my hair?
Here are a number of possible reasons 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 hair and if it also licks things such as your hair.
It likes how you taste
The reason why your cat licks your hair could also be that it likes the way that your hair taste. This would be more likely if your cat seems to prefer to lick your legs instead of other parts of your body such as your arms. In this case, it could help to get your cat to sit in a different spot away from your hair.
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 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 hair. 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 might 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.
Illness
Some illnesses can cause cats to start chewing and licking things that are not food, including hair. The reason why your cat has been licking your hair could be that it has gotten a disease or illness. This would be more likely if your cat is elderly, it has started doing it suddenly and if it has been licking on other things a lot as well. In this case, it would help to take your cat to a veterinarian for a checkup.
A diet issue
Sometimes, cats will also start licking hair when they have an issue with their diet. This is because, when they are not getting the necessary nutrients in their diet, they will lick other things in order to try to get the necessary nutrients. An issue with its diet would be more likely to be the cause if your cat has been doing it since a change in its diet.
Things to consider about your cat licking your hair
Below are things you can consider to help figure out the main reason.
If your cat has always licked your hair
If your cat did not always lick your hair, 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 after you first got your cat or because you started interacting with it differently.
What else is different when your cat licks your hair
It would also help to consider if there is a certain time that your cat tends to lick your hair. For example, if your cat does it when you are petting it, your cat will likely be doing it because it is being affectionate.
How to get my cat to stop licking my hair?
Below are some things you can do about your cat licking your hair.
Redirect its focus
The first option would be to redirect your cat’s focus when it seems likely to start licking your hair. One way to do so could be to pet it in a different spot.
Give it distractions
If your cat also licks your hair 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 hair 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 legs.