Decoding feline affection: The science behind why your cat licks your face

Cats are unique animals, adored by numerous individuals. They were even worshipped in ancient Egypt, and those who dared harm them were met with severe punishments. The original ancestor of the domestic cat is the Nubian cat. Interestingly, these animals were domesticated roughly 9500 years ago. Now, cats are identified as the most popular pets globally. Experts have found that an adult, domestic cat can spend up to 8 percent of their time grooming their bodies with their tongues. Additionally, for cats, the act of licking plays a significant social role. That leads us to the question, what does it suggest when a cat licks their guardian's face?

Per experts, the act of licking in cats holds great importance and is frequently symbolic. Adult cats often lick each other, particularly before the act of mating. Fortunately, there is no evidence that suggests that a cat licking a human hints at a procreative intent. On the contrary, behavioural experts are not entirely sure why these animals are keen to lick human body parts. Although there is a lack of scientific evidence, we have several fascinating theories to consider.

The first one is referred to as the trust theory. It speculates that when a cat licks you, it's trying to convey a message of trust. This could also signal that it does not perceive you as a serious threat. Yet another theory goes by the name of biochemical. As per this theory, some cats have a tendency to lick certain people because they're attracted to their... scent. Additionally, licking may be a cat's way of trying out new flavours. Therefore, if your hands have remnants of cream or food, it is quite likely the reason your pet is displaying interest in you.

There also exists an interesting theory related to cat territoriality. Dr. David Sands, a reigning expert in animal psychology, refers to cats as "scent machines". Their favourite aroma is surprisingly their own. As a result, domestic cats frequently reciprocate the petting from their humans by trying to lick them. However, this is not an expression of affection, but merely an attempt to replace the foreign scent with their own. It is their way of marking you as their territory. It's crucial to remember that they are very territorial animals, typically resorting to leaving their scent on various objects or people. This is their way of emphasising ownership over something.