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Why does my cat lick my ears?

If your cat often licks your ears, this post will show you a number of possible causes and what you can do about them.

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

Your cat could actually lick your ears for a number of different reasons and it might be due to a combination of causes. 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 ears?

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. It might be the case that your cat licks around your ears because it is actually grooming you. This would be more likely if your cat doesn’t only lick your ears and if it also licks things such as your hair.

It likes how you taste

The reason why your cat licks your ears could also be that it likes the way that your ears taste. This would be more likely if your cat chooses to only lick your ears and if it does not lick other areas of your body as well.

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 licking you in order to spread 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 ears. By marking 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 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 ears

Here are some things to consider to help figure out why your cat has been doing it.

If your cat has always licked your ears

If your cat did not always lick your ears, it would help to consider what else happened when your cat first started licking your ears. 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 ears

It would also help to consider if there is a certain time that your cat tends to lick your ears. For example, if your cat does it more when you are holding it, the cause would be more likely that it is showing affection.

How to get my cat to stop licking my ears?

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

Redirect its focus

The first option would be to redirect your cat’s focus when it seems likely to start licking your ears. One way to do so could be to pet it in a different area such as below the chin or to hold it differently.

Give it distractions

If your cat also licks your ears 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 ears when it is sitting or lying with you, you could also get your cat to sit or lie in a different spot. By doing so, it will be harder for your cat to lick your ears.