WHY IS MY CAT LICKING ME?

Your Cat May Be Stressed or Bored

Overlicking and overgrooming can sometimes be a sign of stress. This might be expressed not just when your cat goes overboard with licking himself, but when he licks you a lot too. Cats find comfort in licking, so your cat may calm himself by grooming a lot if he feels intimidated by something inside or outside the home.4

Your cat might also turn to frequent licking if he has too much energy and no other means to express it. That's why if he's bored and trying to get your attention, he might start licking you.

Look for other signs of stress or boredom, which could point to this being the source of the problem. These signs may include frequent meowing, scratching, or spraying.

Your Cat Might Be Drawn to a Taste or Texture

There's also a chance your cat licks you a lot simply because she's drawn to a specific taste on your skin or to a texture, like the feel of your shoes. If you were just walking outside barefoot, she might be drawn to the taste of the outdoors lingering on your skin. This cause is easily identified by removing the texture or taste she seeks.

How to Stop Your Cat from Licking You

There's nothing wrong with your cat licking you, and it's often a sign of affection and love. But if the licking is too much, then you might need to take action. First, take your cat to the veterinarian to make sure a health issue isn't causing this change in personality.