Dear Sparkle,
I thought I was in good with my human, but I am beginning to have my doubts. I mean, she is nice enough to me — she always buys me canned food in my favorite flavors and I know she is using her bonus money from work to replace my old cat tree with a new one. But even so, there are times when I wonder if she really likes me, especially when I try to lick her. She always pulls her hand or face away really quick and says it is “unsanitary.” I don’t get it — why is she rejecting my displays of affection?
Signed,
Spurned and Burned
Dear Spurned,
I don’t think there’s anything wrong with your relationship with your human. She is just a little bit quirky, as are you. She is probably used to kitties who show affection by head butting, lying on top of her while she is sleeping, or sitting on the floor in the meatloaf position with their back ends facing her (a clear sign that we kitties are guarding our human from any predators). I don’t know the percentage of cats who regularly lick their humans, but I can assure you that you are in the minority. The cat before me did this, but I don’t. Binga does it — to everyone! — but Boodie has only done it a couple of times. Of course we kitties lick each other, but we are used to this sort of social interaction. Some humans don’t realize what an honor it is for them to be included in what is usually a cat-only ritual. And some, like your human, are concerned that it is “unsanitary.” And you know what? Your human has a point!
In spite of their efforts to stay clean by either immersing themselves in water, or letting water shower over them, humans are not always the cleanest creatures. They go out all day and touch all sorts of disgusting, chemical things — and then they touch their faces. Female humans even put all sorts of weird, smelly chemicals on their faces in this strange belief that it makes them more attractive. Seriously, think about it — do you really want to lick that gunk? So I actually think your human is being very sweet and protective of you. She does not want you licking anything unsanitary, which is why she is discouraging you from this activity. I hope I have helped you gain a new perspective on her strange and seemingly cold actions.
Sparkle, you always have just the right answer. You are so smart! Lily Olivia, Misty May and Mauricio like to lick our humans, and our humans are okay with it. They just won’t lick us back, and we are okay with that. MOL. Purrs and hugs, Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth and Calista Jo
Me LOVES to licks my Mommy’s neck. After a few licks, like other cats, me likes to “do” a little bitey.
Mommy definitely does NOT like the biteys, but since me is so old, me gets away with it.
Giggle
Nellie
Alex never kissed us at all… And Lucy only kisses me….and when she does my heart completely melts….
Have a very Merry Christmas!!!
It would be so gross if my Human licked me. ::shudder:: I never lick her. Cooties, you know. Hers, of course. Ha ha ha! I loved this Q&A today!
I came to say Merry Christmas since my Human is going away for a few days and I might not be able to visit till the end of the week. Sigh. It’s always about HER needs.
Hi Sparkle, Lynettea has bought me a copy of your book for Christmas. I am really looking forward to reading it, especially as it is bound to give me all sorts of tips on managing Lynettea, who is proving to be difficult in some types of behaviour.
Lynettea looked on Amazon and on the English Book Depository website. The book on the Amazon website looked as if it was the latest book, so she got that one for me.
best wishes,
Sasha
Good one Sparkle! I’ll have to be careful of theese germs the next time I lick my Human!
!
I am always washing the peeps…tenderizing ’em, you know…just in case I need to have a Bitey!
~The Baby
HAHA..I likes the way you turned that one around Sparkle..You is very wise indeed! 😆
YEAHHHHHH, that’s why she did it. Very thoughtful. *cough* (MOL)
No way would I try to lick a human! Yech. Besides, I’m too busy licking my butt.
Occasionally I lick the humans to soften them up for the bite that is sure to follow. You think I get germans from biting them too? *worried ears*
Always good advice Sparkle. Rumor has it that some humans don’t taste good anyways.
My boys rarely lick me, but sometimes do. And yes it’s such an honor! I keep my hands super clean for them to safely lick 🙂
I am not much of a licker, but I do try to push my nose up my mum’s nostrils when I am waking her up.
😛
You humans think you have it rough? Try having a Bengal cat who licks more than any dog I have ever known. Bengals get their rough tongues from the asian leopards from which they are breed from. Wild cats have rough tongues to lick the fur off their kill.
Most cats have velvet like tongues with a touch of scratch. My Bengal likes to lick cheeks, foreheads, inside of my elbows and wrists. One day I was sick as all get out and finally slept the sleep of thd exhausted. Woke to pain as she was working on the last layer of skin on the inside if my left elbow having licked a spot on my forehead raw.
She does act part dog. Doorbell rings and she runs to the front door meowing her head off. If we ask her to show us her spots she rolls over and plays dead! She sleeps snuggled up to me showing me she considers me one of her pack.
She thinks
None of the Farm cats are lickers which I appreciate
Oh my kitties are total lickers and groomers! It kinda hurts tho…
My two seriously think I am either one of the litter or just plain dirty as they frequently wash/groom me with Magic being particularly keen to keep my fringe in check – but only on the one side! I hate to offend them as I kiss their furry foreheads all the time but a box of baby wipes is particularly useful to restore my ‘human’ smell.
Caroline is the kisser in our family! javascript:grin(‘:roll:’)