5 Surprising Reasons Why Cats Lick Your Hand When You’re Petting Them

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Do you love the feel of a cat’s soft fur as you pet it? Do you sometimes get a little surprise when, instead of enjoying your petting session, the cat starts licking your hand? If so, you’re not alone! Many people are curious about why cats lick their owners’ hands. There are actually several reasons why this might happen. In this blog post, we will explore some of the most common reasons why cats lick their owners during petting sessions.

 

5 reasons Why do cats lick your hand when you’re petting them?

 

1. One common reason why cats lick their owners during petting is to show affection. When you pet your cat, it may start licking your hand as a way of showing its love and appreciation for the affection you are giving. Cats typically lick people they trust and feel comfortable around. So if your cat starts licking you while you’re petting it, it’s a good sign that it sees you as a friend and trusts you.

 

2. Another reason why cats lick their owners during petting is to groom them. Cats are fastidious groomers and they see their humans as part of their family. When you pet your cat, it may start licking your hand in an attempt to groom you and remove any dirt or debris from your skin. This is especially common if you have been petting the cat with your hand before it started licking you.

 

3. A third reason why cats lick their owners during petting is to show submission. When a cat licks someone, it is often seen as a sign of respect or deference. In the wild, cats groom each other as a way of strengthening social bonds and showing submission. If your cat starts licking you while you’re petting it, it may be trying to show you that it sees you as the leader of the pack.

 

4. A fourth reason why cats lick their owners during petting is to get attention. Cats are very good at getting what they want, and if they feel like they’re not getting enough attention, they may start licking their owners as a way of getting them to focus on them. If your cat starts licking you while you’re petting it, it may be trying to get you to pet it more or give it more attention.

 

5. Finally, a fifth reason why cats lick their owners during petting is to taste them. Cats have very sensitive noses and can smell things that we humans cannot. When a cat licks you, it may be trying to get a better sense of your scent. This is especially common if the cat has just met you or if you have been wearing a new perfume or cologne.

So there you have it, five of the most common reasons why cats lick their owners during petting sessions. If your cat starts licking you while you’re petting it, now you know what it might be trying to say.

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