Cat Q and A
By Louise Thompson
Accredited Animal Behaviour Consultant (ABC of SA ©®™)
Why does my cat like licking me?
Generally this is a form of “epimeletic” or etepimeletic behaviour (care-giving or care seeking behaviour).
It can also be linked to the “parental” or “maternal” behaviour of a queen cat, cleaning and caring for her kittens. Mutual grooming is also used by cats as a form of bonding, and displaying affection from mother to kitten and well as a physical display of affection between two cats of any age, and a good sign that they are content and compatible.
In exaggerated cases it could also be a sign of a hormonal imbalance so if your cat is grooming you excessively it is suggested that you take it to your veterinarian for a check-up.
Excessive mutual grooming could also indicate that the cat was removed / separated from its mother at too young an age and she is seeking the comfort that this activity was familiar with. In some rarer cases it can also be an indication of a lack of minerals in her diet, but again this is best checked out by your veterinarian.
If this is an activity that you dislike or you wish to stop, then you could discourage her from licking you by spraying some mosquito repellent or rubbing some citronella oil on your skin before interacting with her.
Alternately, without scolding her or punishing her in any way, simply put her on the floor each and every time she starts to lick you. By not reacting to the behaviour and not interacting with her when she displays the licking – she is not rewarded by it. As she is not being rewarded (by the contact) her motivation will lessen and the behaviour will cease or lessen. If an animal is successful in its aim – it will repeat the behaviour!
However, you would also need to provide her with environmental enrichment / toys to chew and chase which would also help to distract her. You will need to be consistent to have any lasting effect.
Why does my cat prefer running water to water from a bowl?
This is quite a common question and one I think that is based from a throwback of “wild” cat behaviour, where running water would be safer to drink as it would be perceived to be fresher. Still water could be stagnant - certainly not healthy for animals and this could be just a base survival instinct.
Some cats start to demand to drink running water if they are unwell – and if this is something that has suddenly started – then you will need to get him checked out by your veterinarian. Kidney and bladder problems are very common in cats – so it is worthwhile ruling this out.
Attention seeking behaviour
If it is something that the cat has done for a long period of time they I would suggest that it is something that has become a habituated pattern of behaviour.
The cat learned quickly that he is rewarded (by your attention) whilst soliciting you to turn on the tap. As I have said before – with most animals – if a behaviour is successful or rewarding the animal will repeat it!
In some cases you can supply him with a kitty water fountain which would solve the problem and get him out of your hair so to speak!
If you wish to eliminate the pattern of behaviour then you will need to manage the environment. Start by limiting his options. Keep all bathroom and kitchen doors closed and don’t let your cat inside these rooms with you.
Don’t give in to his tantrums of meowing, scratching at the door with the most pathetic mournful moaning and wailing emitting from him. Some cats can really make a racket to get their own way. This could mean that you might have to put up with a bit of noise for a couple of days until the habit is broken.
A cute/fun tip is to pop a couple of light, coloured balls floating in his water next to a fan so that the balls will rotate or move and this could encourage him to drink from that in addition to keeping her entertained!
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