Have you ever lovingly petted your cat, only to watch them immediately start licking the exact spot where your hand was, as if you’ve somehow offended their pristine fur? It’s like they’re saying, “Thanks for the cuddle, but your touch needs a little… refinement.” As a lifelong cat enthusiast I’ve seen this quizzical grooming behavior baffle many pet parents.
So, why does your cat lick itself after you touch it? Is it a quirky display of feline fastidiousness, or are they secretly judging your hygiene? (Spoiler: it’s probably not personal.)
Cats have their reasons, and in this article, I’m breaking down six of the most likely explanations for this peculiar habit. From their meticulous grooming instincts to their emotional reactions, we’ll cover it all.
6 Reasons Cats Lick Themselves When Touched
1. It’s All About Grooming Perfection
Cats are famously meticulous groomers. In fact, their grooming behavior is almost an art form. When you pet them, you may disrupt the “perfect” alignment of their fur.
Licking themselves after your touch might be their way of restoring order to their coat. Think of it as a furry version of smoothing out a rumpled outfit.
What you can do: Don’t take it personally! Instead, offer pets in a way that mimics grooming gentle strokes on areas they like, such as under the chin or behind the ears.
2. Spreading Their Unique Scent
Cats communicate with scent more than we realize. Your hands might carry unfamiliar smells from soap, lotion, or other pets. One way or another, your cat could be dipping its tongue into your spot and redepositing its scent to mark its territory, you included.
What you can do: If your cat’s licking habit seems excessive, try washing your hands before petting them to reduce any strong, foreign scents.
3. A Quirk of Sensory Overload
Cats have ultra-sensitive nerve endings under their skin. When you pet certain spots, like the base of their tail, it can stimulate a reflexive response.
This is why some cats start licking when you pet a specific area. It’s not that they dislike it; it just triggers a strong, instinctive reaction.
What you can do: Pay attention to their body language. If they twitch, flick their tail, or start licking obsessively, move your hand to a calmer zone, like their shoulders.
4. Redirecting Their Emotions
Feline behavior responses often include grooming as a way to manage emotions. Whether your touch made them feel relaxed, overstimulated, or slightly startled, licking helps them process the experience.
What you can do: Stick to shorter cuddle sessions if your cat seems easily overwhelmed. Cats appreciate affection but on their own terms.
5. Removing “Human Residue”
This one can feel like a blow to your ego, but sometimes cats lick themselves to remove lingering human “residue” whether that’s the texture of your skin, traces of lotion, or even the remnants of a kiss.
Why does my cat lick itself after I touch it or after I kiss it? It’s not that they don’t love you, they’re just resetting their natural “feel.”
What you can do: If your cat has a strong reaction to being kissed or petted, keep your touches light and brief. Avoid using strongly scented products before handling them.
6. A Sign of Affection
Sometimes, licking after touch isn’t about fixing anything at all. Cats often lick themselves or even you as a way of bonding.
They’re showing trust by mimicking the grooming they’d do with another cat. Why does my cat start licking when I pet a certain spot? That spot might trigger a mutual grooming reflex, a sign they see you as part of their social circle.
What you can do: Lean into the moment. If your cat licks you back, it’s a huge compliment and a great bonding experience.
Conclusion
Cats are unique creatures with their own set of quirky habits. Their tendency to lick themselves after being touched is part of their complex and fascinating feline behavior.
That said, if your cat starts to lick after you’ve shown them some affection, don’t be surprised that it’s not a rejection; it’s simply their wonderful way of being catlike.
- See also: Why Do Cats Lick Each Other?
