{"id":12061,"date":"2022-11-15T07:44:00","date_gmt":"2022-11-15T07:44:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/?p=12061"},"modified":"2023-02-10T16:16:56","modified_gmt":"2023-02-10T16:16:56","slug":"why-does-my-cat-lick-my-face","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/why-does-my-cat-lick-my-face\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Does My Cat Lick My Face: Benefits & Dangers"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you’re a cat owner, you are most likely a victim of cat licking.<\/span><\/p>\n

You\u2019ve probably also wondered, \u201cW<\/em><\/span>hy does my c<\/span>at lick my face<\/span>?\u00a0<\/span>Is it because it loves me, or is it just trying to get rid of that pesky tuna breath?”<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Today, we look at why cats lick their owners’ faces and offer tips on keeping your kitty’s tongue away from you if it creeps you out.<\/span><\/p>\n

Stay tuned!<\/span><\/p>\n

Why Does My Cat Lick My Face?<\/span><\/h2>\n

What does it mean when a cat licks your face<\/span>? First, they want to show you how much they love you. However, there are other reasons your kitty might tongue your face:<\/span><\/p>\n

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  1. Showing affection<\/b>: Much like how we demonstrate our love by kissing our partner or family members, cats often lick their owners to show their affection;<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. Seeking <\/b>attention<\/b>: When your cat feels neglected and needs some quality time with you, it may start licking your face as a form of <\/span>attention-seeking behavior;<\/span><\/li>\n
  3. Marking their territory<\/b>: By licking your face, they leave their scent on you, thus claiming you as their own and helping them feel more secure and comfortable;<\/span><\/li>\n
  4. Grooming their person<\/b>: <\/span>Cats, especially the queen, are very meticulous groomers<\/span><\/a> and often lick their owners to make them ‘more presentable’;\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  5. Your cat likes your taste<\/b>: Believe it or not, some cats just enjoy how your skin tastes and feels, which may sound gross to us, but it’s perfectly normal for cats;<\/span><\/li>\n
  6. Coping with <\/b>anxiety<\/b>: Just like humans, cats can suffer from anxiety and <\/span>stress, and <\/span>licking their owners is a way for them to self-soothe and calm down.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    So, the next time your <\/span>cat licks your face, don’t be <\/span>alarmed since, most likely, it’s expressing its love for you in its unique caring way.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Should I Let My Cat Lick My Face?<\/span><\/h2>\n

    Most cat owners, especially first-time ones, wonder whether or not they should let their cat lick their face. After all,\u00a0cats spend a lot of time licking themselves<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n

    First off, cats’ tongues are covered in tiny spines called ‘papillae’<\/strong><\/a>, which help them detangle their fur, remove parasites, and redistribute their skill oils.<\/span><\/p>\n

    These spines can be scratchy<\/strong> and may not feel unpleasant on human skin<\/strong>. <\/span><\/p>\n

    Additionally, cats often use their tongues to clean up after using the litter box<\/strong>, so it’s best to keep them from licking your face if they’ve just been dealing with their waste.<\/span><\/p>\n

    However, a more important consideration is the fact that some people exhibit allergic reactions<\/strong> when coming into contact with cats, especially their saliva.<\/p>\n

    Another medical concern is the small risk of contracting a disease<\/strong> from letting your cat lick your face, like <\/span>cat scratch disease (CSD)<\/span><\/a>. While most healthy humans are unlikely to succumb to such illness, those with compromised <\/span>immune systems are still at risk.<\/span><\/p>\n

    To keep it on the safe side, wash your face with <\/span>antibacterial soap<\/span> after your cat licks it. Also, if you have any cuts or open wounds, keep your cat away from them.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n
    Did you know: <\/i><\/b>By getting one of the <\/i>best self-cleaning litter boxes of 2022, you will only deal with and enjoy the fun and cuddly part of owning a cat!<\/i><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

    Benefits of Letting Your Cat Lick Your Face<\/span><\/h3>\n

    Are there any pros to letting the cat lick your face? Actually, there are a few:<\/span><\/p>\n