Why Do Cats Lick Their Owners' Fingers: Experts Name 3 Unexpected Reasons

05.01.2023 20:30
Updated: 13.04.2023 07:17

You can often hear from cat owners that their pets love to lick their fingers.

Some people are indifferent to this strange habit, while others try to wean their pet off this strange behavior.

Why do cats lick human fingers?

Shows that he considers the owner "his own"

Cats can hardly be called fully social animals, since they prefer to live alone on the street. However, within the confines of an apartment or house, they have to build relationships with a person.

If your pet considers you just a neighbor with whom he has to share territory, then he will not show interest in your fingers.

If a cat perceives a person as “one of its own” and accepts him into its “pack”, then it will show interest in the owner’s hands.

cat
Photo: © Belnovosti

The smell of food

Experts remind us that the reason can sometimes be trivial: if your hands smell of food, fish, meat or other “tasty” products, then the cat will simply get an appetite.

In this case, the animal may even bite your fingers.

Lack of attention

Not all owners have the opportunity to spend time with their cat. Some come home from work tired, so they are content with the fact that their pet is simply nearby.

If the cat is not happy with this situation, it will try in every way to get the person’s attention.

Author: Marina Michalap Internet resource editor

Content
  1. Why do cats lick human fingers?
  2. Shows that he considers the owner "his own"
  3. The smell of food
  4. Lack of attention