Some cats are very aloof, treating us like a 5-star hotel they come and go from as they please. Others can be incredibly cuddly, verging on needy, and you may find during a snuggle that your cat is washing you with the same dedication they apply to their own fur. The feel of their rough sandpaper tongue is unmistakable, but you may well find yourself thinking… Why are they doing this, and should I actually be letting them?
Normal washing behaviours in cats
A cat’s tongue is an amazing thing, covered in spiky barbs made of keratin (the same stuff hair and nails are made of). These backwards facing barbs act as an inbuilt comb, so when your cat washes themselves the dead hair is removed and the remaining fur lies smooth and flat. Licking keeps the coat clean and spreads healthy oils through the fur, and can help keep the cat cool. A healthy coat is an essential part of life for a cat, providing not just warmth and protection but also sensory information about their environment. Healthy cats will spend somewhere between 2 and 5 hours a day washing to keep their coat in good condition.
So what are they thinking when they are washing you instead of themselves?
Times when a cat washing you is normal behaviour
Misguided as it may seem, a well bonded cat washing their favourite human can be completely normal.
Bonding
Pretty much the only way you can tell if two cats are really friends is if they cuddle up and groom each other. This activity is only done at rest, and causes the release of feel-good endorphins, locking in those personal relationships. Your cat washing you may well be them showing this behaviour, confirming that you have the honour of being part of their inner circle.
Kitten-like behaviour
Sometimes kittens have to be weaned very early because of issues with their mother, either because they don’t have enough milk, are poorly for some other reason or because they reject the kittens. If the mother’s job is taken over by a human who bottle feeds and cleans them, then these cats often show kitten-like behaviour towards humans even as they become adults. This can include washing, but also suckling and kneading.
Scent marking
Like many animals, cats use chemical markers called ‘pheromones’ to leave messages for themselves and to communicate with other cats. Have you ever noticed your cat rubbing their face on you? This is them marking you with facial pheromones, scents that human noses cannot detect, but tells the cat that you are a safe place when they come back to you. Washing you is another way that they can put these pheromones on you to say they feel safe around you.
Because it makes them feel good!
As mentioned above, washing releases endorphins, the hormones that activate the reward centres in the brain and make your cat feel good. Washing you might be another way for your cat to get a hit of the good feelings!
Because you taste nice
Your skin might just taste really nice to your cat, either your natural odour or because you’re using a moisturiser, body wash or perfume that appeals to them (although we hope it’s not meat or fish flavoured!)
Attention seeking – normal but not desirable?
If you react in a positive way when your cat washes you, giving them attention or treats, you may find that they do it more. This can be a simple learnt behaviour, but can go wrong if your cat then tries to get your attention when perhaps you don’t want them to – being woken up in the middle of the night by a cat washing your face is not on the top of most people’s lists!
Times when a cat washing you is a sign of something wrong
It is possible that your cat washing you might actually be them trying to communicate some other problem, consciously or not. If you have any concerns that your cat’s behaviour is abnormal, it’s always worth a trip to the vet first to ensure there is no medical reason that needs treatment.
Anxiety and overgrooming
Mental stress can show itself as physical symptoms in all species, and cats are no exception. When stressed, normal grooming behaviour can become obsessive (think about someone who bites their nails all the time), and this often shows up areas on the lower belly and inner thighs with very smooth short fur. If your stressed cat considers you as one of their inner circle, they may well show excessive grooming of you too.
Nausea
If a cat has an unpleasant taste in their mouth or feels sick, they may salivate more and dribble, They often then wash or lick excessively to get rid of the extra saliva, and may use you as a way to deal with this.
Pain
Pain in the mouth (often related to dental disease or arthritis) may result in increased salivation too, and again your cat may wash you. The stress of pain also may lead to your cat overgrooming themselves or you.
Why does my cat lick me then bite or scratch me?
Sometimes cat may start licking you because they think they want to, but then find they are over-excited or over-stimulated and will bite or scratch to stop. Sometimes their natural hunter’s instincts kick in and they get confused between your arm and a piece of prey. Either way, watch your cat’s body language carefully and try to stop things before they get too excited.
Should I let my cat wash me?
If you don’t mind the feel of a cat’s rough tongue, then a little lick every now and again is not of concern. If the licking does turn to biting or scratching then it should be discouraged at all costs, because these can cause significant infections for humans if the skin is broken. If you think the washing is also a sign of underlying stress or pain it should also be discouraged as it can become a fixed habit – if in doubt, always speak to your vet.
Bacterial risk to humans
Cats’ mouths are full of a lot of bacteria; if you’ve ever seen a cat bite abscess, you’ll know how nasty the infections these bacteria can cause are. If you have a weakened immune system (such as in children and the elderly, through pregnancy, chemotherapy or medications) it is not advisable for a cat to lick you because of this, and anybody with broken skin should be avoiding cat licks too.
When human skin is a risk to cats
Sometimes harm can come not from cat to human but the other way round. If you use medications on your skin (such as steroid cream, psoriasis cream or hormone medications such as HRT), your cat can ingest these as they lick and become quite poorly, and this can apply to shower gels and moisturisers too. Never let your cat lick you if you have recently applied anything to your skin.
How can I stop my cat washing me?
To train or discourage your cat from washing you, never punish them as this makes biting or scratching more likely. Wear long sleeves or other clothes to cover your skin, move away from your cat to do something else, or use a distraction to start interacting with them in a different way (such as using a grooming brush).
Conclusion
Cats washing humans can be a very normal behaviour that shows close social bonding, and when infrequent and short is not likely to be a concern. If your cat is trying to wash you all the time, causing damage to their skin or yours, or if they seem stressed when they do so, it’s always worth a trip to the vet to ensure there is no medical reason that needs treatment.
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