How can we get him to stop licking?

Anyone ever had this problem - your cat licks you nonstop? We thought it was cute when Max licked us (we took it as a sign that he liked us) but now he does it while we're trying to sleep, while we're watching TV, while I'm reading a book, etc. Telling him no and moving my hand away just makes him follow my hand. Putting him on the floor will make him just hop back up to keep on licking. Any other ideas (short of spraying bitter apple all over my arms!)? And any clue as to why he licks us so much?

Ebony is an obsessive licker too. She likes to lick me most when I am on the computer. I wish I had advice for you but I don't. I just try to put up with it when Ebony does it. Brendan and I joke that we must be really dirty because Eb is always trying to 'give us a bath'. Hopefully someone else will have some better advice for ya.

What lotion do you use? Could he be attracted to your body wash?

Originally Posted by Ali012281

What lotion do you use? Could he be attracted to your body wash?

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Well I use B&BW body wash but my FI doesn't so it shouldn't be that. Um, I doubt it's the lotion because he doesn't wear lotion either...

My Nanas cat Diamond does this. I have no ideas, but I know how annoying it can be!

Bakker licks my face all the time. Sometimes I thought he might be licking the salt off after I'm owkring out. But that is not it. I have not idea why he does it so much. Grizzly will lick our hands/face -or gross-my hubby's underarms!!
I don't know why either though!!

Yes, we have a 20lb cat who is a licker. We just tell him no, very strongly when we are tired of it and sometimes he listens, sometimes he doesn't. lol

We do put him out at night, or we would be bleeding in the morning.

Ellie hasa always licked and sucked at any human who strokes her or lets her into a lap. She starts to lick a hand or arm or neck and if you let her continue it turns into sucking. If you say 'no ellie' very firmly she either stops with her nose up against you and just smells you for ages, or she turns round and looks for another place to try it. It can be annoying, though I am almost used to it. She was separated from mom at 11 weeks so I don't think it was early weaning. She is also the greediest cat I've ever had, so I just say she has an oral fixation.

i had a cat named Ogre who was an obsessive licker too, never could get him to stop...he licked really hard too and it hurt! i've heard that happens when cats are weaned too young

Most cats are obsessive about cleaning themselves to the point of baldness in some spots. A Lot of behavorilists attribute it to stress. Stress from changes in the home or threats upon territory. Cats are very territorial animals even inside of a house. When he starts to lick take mental notes about what is going on around you or events leading up to him wanting to lick you. Then try to divert his attention on you to something else like brushing him or finding a game/toy he likes to play and repeat it everytime he tries to lick on you. I don't know if this is answer but nothing ventured nothing lost.

Originally Posted by pinkdaisy226

Anyone ever had this problem - your cat licks you nonstop? We thought it was cute when Max licked us (we took it as a sign that he liked us) but now he does it while we're trying to sleep, while we're watching TV, while I'm reading a book, etc. Telling him no and moving my hand away just makes him follow my hand. Putting him on the floor will make him just hop back up to keep on licking. Any other ideas (short of spraying bitter apple all over my arms!)? And any clue as to why he licks us so much?

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Spook gives me a full face bath every night. I don't mind it. I think it's cute. I am not sure what you would do to control that except try to divert their attention to something else.