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Why Does my Cat Lick Me?
Petside.com ^ | April 6, 2012 | Jo Singer

Posted on 08/17/2012 12:40:58 PM PDT by Slings and Arrows

When a cat jumps into your lap, settles in, relaxes and shortly thereafter starts licking your face, you have just received the feline version of a huge compliment. Since this behavior is an expression of deep affection and trust, it is truly a moment for cat guardians to treasure.

-snip-

[O]ne of the most common questions asked by folks who live with felines is, “What does it mean when my cat licks me?”

-snip-

As social beings, cats lick each other for a variety of reasons. As newborn kittens, their very first worldly experience is being licked clean by their mother and as they get older, for grooming. Kittens groom one another, and adult cats who are not related, but get along well who get along often spend considerable time grooming one another.

If you have ever watched cats licking one other, it’s obvious that the cats receive great enjoyment from the tactile sensation of a rough, moist tongue grooming their bodies. It is not only pleasant and calming, while exchanging their scents, mutual licking helps to build and maintain close bonds.

-snip-

But even the most passionate cat lovers don’t lick their kitties to return the favor. Instead, we pet them. The sensation cats feel, as we gently stroke their fur, may in fact resemble their mother’s loving touch. Of course there are some of us who do sniff our kitties, since the scent of a healthy cat is delightfully subtle to feline connoisseurs. But don’t knock cat-sniffing until you try it.

(Excerpt) Read more at petside.com ...


TOPICS: Pets/Animals
KEYWORDS: cats; kitties; kittyping
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Pic, vid at source.
1 posted on 08/17/2012 12:41:00 PM PDT by Slings and Arrows
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To: Slings and Arrows
Why Does my Cat Lick Me?

Because you taste like meat?

2 posted on 08/17/2012 12:42:15 PM PDT by Yashcheritsiy (Science puts you on the moon, atheism puts you in the gulag)
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To: Slings and Arrows

Why does your cat lick you?

Are you salty?


3 posted on 08/17/2012 12:42:23 PM PDT by jessduntno ("Newt Gingrich was part of the Reagan Revolution's Murderers' Row." - Jeffrey Lord, Reagan Admin.)
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To: jessduntno

Who the hell cares?


4 posted on 08/17/2012 12:43:22 PM PDT by BubbaBasher ("Liberty will not long survive the total extinction of morals" - Sam Adams)
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To: Slings and Arrows; Glenn; republicangel; Beaker; BADROTOFINGER; etabeta; asgardshill; devane617; ...


5 posted on 08/17/2012 12:43:43 PM PDT by Slings and Arrows (You can't have IngSoc without an Emmanuel Goldstein.)
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To: Slings and Arrows

Because you just mixed tuna salad with your bare hands. Don’t you remember?


6 posted on 08/17/2012 12:44:54 PM PDT by a fool in paradise (Only Obama put a dog on the roof of his mouth. Dogs are friends, not food.)
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To: Slings and Arrows

Because they can.


7 posted on 08/17/2012 12:45:21 PM PDT by dfwgator
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To: BubbaBasher

“Who the hell cares?”

Kitty?


8 posted on 08/17/2012 12:45:27 PM PDT by jessduntno ("Newt Gingrich was part of the Reagan Revolution's Murderers' Row." - Jeffrey Lord, Reagan Admin.)
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To: Slings and Arrows

To see if you are worth killing and eating, of course.


9 posted on 08/17/2012 12:47:09 PM PDT by piasa (Attitude adjustments offered here free of charge)
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To: Slings and Arrows

To get that butt taste out of his mouth. Well you asked...


10 posted on 08/17/2012 12:47:58 PM PDT by Clay Moore (The heart of the wise inclines to the right, but the heart of a fool to the left. Ecclesiastes 10:2)
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To: Slings and Arrows

I dunno, let’s axe the 0bama gubmint to research it fer a couple of millun dolarz . . .


11 posted on 08/17/2012 12:48:20 PM PDT by Pilgrim's Progress (http://www.baptistbiblebelievers.com/BYTOPICS/tabid/335/Default.aspx)
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To: Slings and Arrows
It could be worse.

Some cats maul shoes.

12 posted on 08/17/2012 12:48:48 PM PDT by humblegunner (Pablo, being wily, pities the fool.)
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To: jessduntno

Why does your cat lick you?
To clean his tongue after he licks his butt.


13 posted on 08/17/2012 12:49:32 PM PDT by steve8714
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To: Slings and Arrows
To determine if you're edible.

As a corollary, part of the food you eat is later detectable on your skin. He's checking to see whether you've been holding out the good stuff for yourself.

14 posted on 08/17/2012 12:50:02 PM PDT by ArmstedFragg (hoaxy dopey changey)
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To: Slings and Arrows

I get love nips and nose bumps from my two.


15 posted on 08/17/2012 12:50:53 PM PDT by Focault's Pendulum (R&R isn't just a railroad in Monopoly anymore!)
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To: ExSoldier

Ping.


16 posted on 08/17/2012 12:51:33 PM PDT by DuncanWaring (The Lord uses the good ones; the bad ones use the Lord.)
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To: Slings and Arrows

The answer is simple: Cats lick you to smooth down the hair on your face/hands/feet or to give you the ultimate in what it’s like to be a kitten. OR! Maybe they just want to taste you!


17 posted on 08/17/2012 12:52:06 PM PDT by Monkey Face (Dogs + stress = If you can't eat it or play with it, pee on it and waIlk away.)
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To: Slings and Arrows

18 posted on 08/17/2012 12:52:06 PM PDT by workerbee (June 28, 2012 -- 9/11 From Within)
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To: Slings and Arrows

My Hannah ahs done that a few times. Her loves me! :)

I would rather have this though.

Kitty Massage Therapy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=598IdFlOXcQ


19 posted on 08/17/2012 12:52:33 PM PDT by mardi59 (THE REBELLION IS ON!!! LET THE GAMES BEGIN!)
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To: Focault's Pendulum

They love taste and smell and lick each other because they are loving pets. I love mine.


20 posted on 08/17/2012 12:54:09 PM PDT by Big Horn (Rebuild the GOP to a conservative party)
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