If your cat has been licking your legs a lot, this post will show you a number of reasons why and what you can do about them.
So, why does my cat lick my legs? Likely reasons why your cat licks your legs are that it is grooming you, it likes the taste of your legs, or that it is being affectionate.
Your cat might actually have been doing it for a number of different reasons and it could 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 legs?
Below are some possible causes and what would make each of 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 legs and if it also licks things such as your hair.
It likes how you taste
The reason why your cat licks your legs could also be that it likes the way that your legs 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 legs.
Related: Why does my cat lick my arms?
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.
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 legs. 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.
Related: Why does my cat lick my feet?
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 legs
Below are some things to consider when figuring out the main reason why your cat has been licking your legs.
If your cat has always licked your legs
If your cat did not always lick your legs, 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 legs
It would also help to consider if there is a certain time that your cat tends to lick your legs. For example, if your cat does it when you are petting it, your cat will likely be doing it because it is being affectionate.
What to do about your cat licking your legs
Below are some things you can do about your cat licking your legs.
Redirect its focus
The first option would be to redirect your cat’s focus when it seems likely to start licking your legs. One way to do so could be to pet it in a different spot.
Give it distractions
If your cat also licks your legs 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 legs 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.