Why do cats lick hands? - briefly
Cats lick hands as a way of marking their territory and showing affection. This behavior is instinctual for cats, who use their tongues to groom themselves and others in their social group.
Why do cats lick hands? - in detail
Cats lick hands as a form of affection, marking behavior, and a means of exploring their environment. This action is deeply ingrained in their instinctual behaviors and serves multiple purposes.
Firstly, when a cat licks your hand, it is often an expression of affection and trust. Cats groom each other to strengthen social bonds within their colonies. By licking you, the cat is essentially adopting you into its social group, signifying that it considers you a part of its family. This behavior is particularly common in cats that have been raised with humans from a young age, as they associate human touch and smell with positive experiences.
Secondly, cats lick hands to mark their territory. Cats possess scent glands on various parts of their body, including their paws. When they walk or knead with their paws, these glands release pheromones that leave a scent mark. Licking your hand allows the cat to transfer its scent onto you, effectively claiming you as part of its territory. This behavior is more pronounced in multi-cat households where competition for space and resources may be higher.
Thirdly, cats lick hands to explore their environment. Cats are curious creatures with a strong sense of smell. By licking your hand, the cat can gather information about your scent, which helps it understand its surroundings better. This behavior is similar to how cats investigate new objects or areas in their territory by sniffing and sometimes licking them.
Lastly, cats may lick hands as a form of self-soothing or stress relief. Grooming behaviors, including licking, are known to have a calming effect on cats. If a cat is licking your hand frequently, it might be seeking comfort or trying to cope with anxiety or stress.
In summary, the act of a cat licking hands is multifaceted and rooted in both instinctual behaviors and learned associations. It serves as a means of showing affection, marking territory, exploring the environment, and potentially reducing stress. Understanding these reasons can help you better appreciate and interpret your cat's behavior.