Content
- Why does a cat lick another cat?
- The human is in need of a bath...
- A very personal show of affection
- What if it bites me?
- Do you suffer from compulsive behavior?
- What to do if you don't like the cat to lick you?
Cats are able to find fun in things that may be meaningless to humans: a box, a paper ball, something they find lying on the floor or table, including your hair! All of these are elements capable of entertaining cats for some time.
When it's your hair that's part of the game, it's possible that you'll be rewarded with some good cat licks, leading you to question yourself why does my cat lick my hair? Does he like the taste or is there another hidden reason? Keep reading this PeritoAnimal article and find out.
Why does a cat lick another cat?
It's not hard to see that the personal hygiene is extremely important for cats. Cats devote several hours a day to grooming and this is reflected in their clean, shiny coat.
Also, if you have more than one cat at home, you may have wondered what it means when one cat licks another cat. Cats lick each other when they belong to the samesocial group. This is a way to reaffirm the bond that unites them and to share the same odor between them.
So when the cat starts sucking and licking your hair, you should feel happy that the cat considers you to be part of his group. Besides, he wants share the same odor, as a way to integrate you into the feline family and recognize each other, while eliminating unwanted and unknown odors.
The human is in need of a bath...
This is what your cat seems to be thinking when he starts licking his hair vigorously. Hygiene is one of the unquestionable reasons why your cat licks your hair. It is very common for the cat to try, when he sees the tutor lying down and even when you are sleeping, because he himself would like to enjoy a relaxing bath before taking a nap.
At taste buds Cats are designed not only to detect flavors, but also to clean any dirt that has accumulated on surfaces. For this reason, the tongue of felines has a rough texture that looks more like sandpaper. It doesn't matter if you use the most expensive products on the market on your hair, nor the exhaustive care you have with it. If the scent is unpleasant for the feline, it will prefer to perfume your hair with a much more pleasant odor: its saliva.
On the other hand, it can also happen that the cat loves the smell of your shampoo or conditioner that you use and this causes him to nibble on your head.
A very personal show of affection
Many experts guarantee that: cats do not lick other beings (cats, dogs, humans, etc.) unless they have it for them a great affection. For this reason, when your cat licks you, it demonstrates the sincere love it feels for you.
It's exactly the same thing if he tries to lick your beard. It's a way to return the caresses, caress and all the attention you give him, in an equally affectionate way. You've probably noticed that your cat doesn't lick every member of the family back home. This happens because the cat only licks the humans it considers closest and friends, who are part of the feline's own family, only those have a privileged treatment.
What if it bites me?
Some cats start by licking their hair and end with little bites, which can be in the hair itself or in the scalp. If that's the case, your cat want to play with you!
Licking and nibbling on your hair is one of the ways the cat has to tell you that he's bored and it's time to have fun playing. If you notice, it's exactly the same behavior he has with the cats he considers playmates.
Do you suffer from compulsive behavior?
cats relieve stress and nervousness in different ways. Among them we should mention the habit of sucking or licking the fur in a repetitive and restless way. The cat can lick its own fur in this way, even causing wounds. It may also happen that the compulsion causes you to lick your hair when you have him around (such as when you share a bed or sofa with him).
In any case, it is relatively easy to detect this abnormal behavior by the cat's insistence on repeating the action. It is important to visit your veterinarian to determine the source of the problem and to check if it is in fact a stereotypy.
What to do if you don't like the cat to lick you?
Despite all the positive reasons we describe for cats to lick their hair, there are people who feel uncomfortable with this behavior and don't know how to make the cat understand that that behavior is not wanted.
If you're one of these people, don't despair: with the recommendations we'll give you, the cat will stop licking your hair in no time:
- When the cat starts licking, don't pet it or talk to it. These stimuli reinforce the behavior because in the cat's mind licking is a positive thing.
- As soon as the cat touches his tongue to your hair, move away from where you are. The cat will understand that you don't like it as this is a common reaction among felines.
- If you don't want to get out of bed, you can pull the sheets over your head or put a pillow on top. However, there is a risk that the cat will think you are playing with it by hiding.
- Give the pet a toy to distract himself.
- Never yell or be disparaging, let alone be violent.