Your cat licking herself after you kiss her could be a sign of affection, or it could be because she's trying to groom herself to remove your scent.
Here's a breakdown of the possibilities:
Possible Reasons for the Licking
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Allogrooming and Bonding: Cats engage in allogrooming, which is grooming each other as a sign of affection and social bonding. Since you are part of your cat's social group (her "family"), she may be licking herself (or even you) as a way to strengthen your bond. It's a behavior learned from kittenhood, mirroring how a mother cat grooms her kittens. When she licks herself after you kiss her, she could be associating your scent with a pleasant, bonding experience. She is, in essence, including you in her grooming routine!
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Transfer of Scent/Discomfort: Cats are very sensitive to smells. You might be wearing perfume, lotion, or have a certain taste that your cat doesn't particularly like. She may be licking herself to remove the unfamiliar or unpleasant scent or taste that you left when you kissed her. It's not necessarily a rejection; she just prefers her own scent!
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Grooming Instinct: Sometimes, it's simply a coincidence. Your kiss might have disturbed her fur, or she might have been about to groom herself anyway.
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Anxiety/Overstimulation: In some cases, your cat may be licking herself excessively due to stress or overstimulation. While a gentle kiss is unlikely to cause this, pay attention to her overall body language. If she seems tense, flinches, or exhibits other signs of discomfort, she might not be enjoying the interaction.
Interpreting Your Cat's Body Language
Pay attention to your cat's other cues:
- Purring: If she's purring while you kiss her or afterward, it's a good sign that she's enjoying the interaction, even if she licks herself afterward.
- Relaxed posture: A relaxed cat will have loose muscles, slightly droopy eyes, and may even knead or rub against you.
- Ears: If her ears are forward, she's likely content. If they're flattened or twitching, she's potentially uncomfortable.
- Tail: A gently swishing tail usually indicates relaxation. A thrashing tail indicates agitation.
What to Do
- Observe: Pay attention to the context and your cat's body language to determine the most likely reason for her behavior.
- Be gentle: Keep your kisses brief and gentle.
- Respect her boundaries: If she seems uncomfortable, don't force the interaction.
- Positive reinforcement: If she seems to enjoy it, offer her praise and affection.
In summary, while it might seem like your cat is "correcting" your kiss, she may be engaging in normal cat behavior related to bonding, grooming, or scent preferences. Observe her other cues to get a better understanding of her reaction.
