Cats licking their owners?

Asked by rainbowspirit (243

) September 9th, 2010

My cat Merryn is 4 years old but I have only had her 7 months. She has never been ill treated or neglected and I am still in touch with her previous owners and the rescue home who took her in briefly. She is classed as a Serengeti breed but is mostly Bengal in personality and siamese in shape.
We bonded very quickly and she has always been a very loving cat.
My problem is that suddenly in the last month she has started to wake me every night to lick my hands face and arms extensively. I have read a lot of explanations which I had already thought of i.e. the saltiness of the skin and a sign of affection.
I have three questions. I have to take a large amount of prescription medicines. Although I have seen no signs of any problem, could she be affected by them seeping through my skin like the salt? This is obviously the most important thing I need to know.
Secondly, has anyone any suggestions how I can change this behaviour without being unkind. I think it’s lovely for her to show such affection but I am suffering from sleep loss and I already have M.E. I have tried putting perfume on the parts she licks hoping the vile taste would deter her but it has not worked at all. Shutting her out of the bedroom is not an option as it would be a huge change and very unkind.
Last of all, can anyone shed any light as to why she has started this out of the blue after this long?
This is my first query on this site and it advises that you should put in as much effort into your question to get the best answers. I hope I have not made it unacceptably detailed.
Any advice or help anyone can give me would be very much appreciated.
Thank you.
Rainbowspirit :o)

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6 Answers

“Sometimes though, cats seem to groom humans. They lick their owner’s skin with a ticklish intensity that may make us squirm. It often occurs when we are lying down or resting. What is happening, does the cat feel or sense that we the owners are dirty and in need of a good cleaning? Actually this type of behaviour has nothing to do with grooming. It is comforting behaviour that is usually found in cats that were separated from their mothers before 12 weeks. This behavior is linked with the cat kneading its paws (paw pressing) on its owner. This is the same behaviour it used to exhibit when it used to suckle at its mother’s teats. ”

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marinelife (62485

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Close the bedroom door.

Ben_Dover (4213

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Have you changed, or started using, any products, such as soap, lotion? One of my cats is very attracted to certain products, when she smells it on me, she wants to lick my skin. Have you and your cat not spent as much time, in the evening, together? If that happens to us, she’ll get into licking, like she missed me, and even wake me up doing it. Other than these two cases, she’s not really a cat that does that, other than when I come home, after being gone all day, when I pick her up, she’ll give me a quick lick on the end of my nose! I guess she’s glad to see me! I’ve never had a cat that does that!

Welcome to Fluther! Good first question!

zzc (1135

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She might need more salt. Maybe try a similar quality pet food that has a slightly higher sodium content.

Kraigmo (9055

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Welcome to fluther! We always need another kitty lover.

My kitty usually licks me in excess when he wants to use my hands…he hasn’t mastered the refrigerator yet. Doorbell, yes.

MissA (7396

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You must smell good to get groomed in your sleep- WOW!

You might look at what products you have changed that would make you appealing, like the new Chicken-scented bath wash you use several times a week! lol

I would take it as a sign of acceptance getting groomed like that, perhaps explore it as She wants to be petted because the relationship between you and your cat is basically a Pride and your the Alpha and she is appeasing you to thank you. wake up a pet her to quiet her and have her settle next to you with your hand petting her.

phil196662 (2681

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