Have you ever found yourself asking, “Why does my cat lick my hair!?” Whether you find it charming or disgusting, it’s fairly common! IAs a fellow cat owner, I’ve experienced this with one of my cats who kneads my hair, licks it, and it finally ends in him biting my skull- this is quite the bonding experience! If he were a big cat, I’d be a goner for sure! So, why do cats do this? Let’s dive into the reasons behind this particular behavior.
The short answer:
When your cat licks your hair, it’s a sign of affection and a way for them to show that they consider you to be a part of their family.
A more detailed answer:
Cats groom each other as a part of caregiving and as a sign of affection. Mother cats groom their kittens to keep them clean and healthy and as the kittens get older, they associate this with feeling safe and loved. Kittens generally begin reciprocating this behavior as they grow up, and the behavior transfers to other cats that are accepted as part of the family.
If you watch your cats grooming one another, you’ll notice that they tend to lick each other on the top of the head. This is also where many cats prefer for us to pet them. When we pet a cat on the head, it’s possible that cats interpret this as our form of grooming them. (Bradshaw, 2016) If they see themselves as being groomed by us, we can interpret that when they lick our faces or hair, perhaps they are communicating their care towards us. In short, they are reciprocating our affection.
Cat/human communication is always evolving. Cats are continually adapting to life with humans. My hope is that one day, through patience and careful training, my cats will teach me what I need to know to properly serve them!
Tips to discourage your cat from licking your head:
Regardless of the reason for a cat licking your head, it may be unwanted! So, what do you do?
- Redirect the cat’s attention: Keep a toy, treat, or something your cat enjoys handy so that you can help redirect their attention. I had a cat once that became somewhat attached to a fuzzy stuffed bear. He would knead it and seem to nurse from it. Give it a try with stuffed animals with different textures- you might find just the perfect stuffy for your cat!
- Groom your cat more: This may not seem directly connected, but brush your cat each day, this can help them satisfy their instinct to groom and actually help minimize how much they groom you!
- Tell your cats you don’t like the behavior: You don’t need to scold the cat, but simply turning away from the cat when it starts to lick you will be the opposite of what your cat wants.
- Positive reinforcement: If you are going to disengage with your cat when you don’t enjoy being groomed, reward your cat with praise, petting, or treats when they do things that you do want them to do.
- Create a routine: Cats enjoy routine, so have times set aside for playtime, grooming, and feeding. This will reduce anxiety, which could be a possible contributor to licking.
Is it safe for your cat to swallow your hair?
While swallowing human hair might make us sick, your cat will probably be fine with the small amount of hair they would ingest by grooming you. Cats groom themselves, and their bodies are designed to handle fur. Your cat will probably be fine if it swallows your hair. Cats groom their own fur and their bodies are made to handle fur. Who knows, maybe your cat will return it as part of a hairball gift!
When to call a vet:
If you are concerned that your cat may have consumed a bit too much human hair, here are some signs you might need to visit the vet:
- Excessive coughing or gagging without producing a hairball: This could indicate that they have a blockage in their throat or gastrointestinal tract.
- Loss of appetite: If your cat likes to eat and suddenly stops, this could be a sign that your cat has a blockage.
- Lethargy: If your normally active cat seems listless or weak, it could be a sign of discomfort or illness
- Abdominal swelling: If your cat’s belly seems swollen, you should have a vet check it out to make sure there are no blockages or other issues.
- Constipation or diarrhea: Monitor your litter box for digestive issues, if any seem to last more than a day or two, consider a visit to the vet.
Related Articles
In this article, I talk about how you can meet your cat’s needs and build a stronger relationship with one another: https://toebeansandtales.com/building-a-strong-connection-with-your-purr-baby/
Sources:
Bradshaw, J. W. S. (2016). Sociality in cats: A comparative review. Journal of Veterinary Behavior, 11, 113–124. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jveb.2015.09.004
