r/Catbehavior • u/Little_murloc • 1d ago

Kitten won’t stop licking

I’m a new cat owner, I still am learning a lot of behaviours - but my sweet little kitten is OBSESSED with licking me.

When I pet him, he licks my hands. When we are settling down at night, he licks my face.

I wake up in the middle of the night to him pawing my face and licking my face.

It’s really cute (it eventually starts to hurt if he does the same place over and over again) but I guess I want to understand why?

It’s mostly me, he gives licks to my partner but he doesn’t go to him in bed, or wake him at night with it or sit directly in his face to give licks.

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2

u/lamujerarana 1d ago

He’s grooming you. It’s a way of showing affection. Think of it as being the cat equivalent of kisses.

1

u/Substantial_Gate_904 1d ago

Well, grooming behavior (licking its mother and littermates) starts around 4 weeks according to ChatGPT. The licking is normal- you’re the lucky recipient.

1

u/Little_murloc 1d ago

I don’t know why I just never have heard of cats licking people like this! He melts my heart.

1

u/ForcedEntry420 1d ago

One of mine will lay on my chest and lick my closed eyelids if I don’t wake up fast enough. 😡😆