If your cat has been licking your face a lot, this post will show you likely reasons why and what you can do about them.
So, why does my cat lick my face? Likely reasons why your cat licks your face are that it is grooming you, it likes the taste of your face, or that it is being affectionate.
There are actually a number of possible reasons why your cat could be licking your face and it might be due to a combination of reasons. However, there are some things you can consider when figuring out the main reason and there are some things you can do about it.
Why does my cat lick my face?
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 face could be that it is grooming you. This would be more likely if your cat doesn’t only lick your face and if it also licks things such as your hair.
It likes how you taste
The reason why your cat licks your face could also be that it likes the way that your face tastes. This would be more likely if your cat only licks your cat seems to lick your face more at a certain time such as after you have put something on your face.
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 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 be that other animals will enter its territory and will help to keep your cat 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.
Things to consider about your cat licking your face
Below are some things to consider when figuring out the main reason why your cat has been licking your face.
If your cat has always licked your face
If your cat did not always lick your face, 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 face
It would also help to consider if there is a certain time that your cat tends to lick your face. 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 face?
Below are some things you can do about your cat licking your face.
Redirect its focus
The first option would be to redirect your cat’s focus when it seems likely to start licking your face. 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 face 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 face 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 face.