how to stop licking kittens

my husband and i adopted two 5 wk old kittens that are now 8 wks old and they are lovable to a fault. Everytime they come around for attention, they lick-hands, face, neck incessantly!!! They are not suckling, and they seem happy to be 'kissing' us, but it gets painful!! I don't want them to think we don't want them around us, but so far tapping on the nose and saying 'no' isnt' helping, they just keep coming back for more!!!
Please help!!!

5weeks is to young to be away from mommy but besides that at this age i would either enjoy the affection or just move them away from face/neck. i wouldnt do anything else at 5 wk i wouldnt want to give them any neg feelings i think they will grow out of it as they get older. they need to feel secure and loved and it sounds like they are. its how mom groomed them and now they think u are mommy

My cat was a licker as a kitten, and she grew out of it after a few months. I think it's just an affection thing that they are showing towards your family! Embrace it, and enjoy it, because it doesn't last long!

Harley was the same was as a kitten - and now at a year old, he doesn't do it as often - only when he's really lovey (which is rare now a days )

Davidson (Harley's brother) is the same way Harley was - a licker! Only on my hands tho, and arms - same as Harley was - so I'm sure that he'll grow out of it as well

everytime i see the title of this thread i imagine opening it and reading something like "i just can't stop licking kittens. i'm getting fur all over my tongue. help!"

Originally Posted by arcadian girl

everytime i see the title of this thread i imagine opening it and reading something like "i just can't stop licking kittens. i'm getting fur all over my tongue. help!"

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I thought that when I saw that title too - I was like well, either the kittens are licking the owner.... or the owner has a problem licking her kittens!

Originally Posted by arcadian girl

everytime i see the title of this thread i imagine opening it and reading something like "i just can't stop licking kittens. i'm getting fur all over my tongue. help!"

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Me too - I'm always tempted to type something witty (ie sarcastic).

Anyway, I can't talk - I DO lick cats (their heads) when they're very upset or very lovey or I'm feeling particularly maternal.

Yes it's gross, and yes your tongue does get covered in hair, but they love it.

Oh he will totally grow out of it. My 4 month old baby boy licks and suckles me all the time. But my baby is a mamas boy . haha but your baby should grow out of it soon

Originally Posted by Satai

Me too - I'm always tempted to type something witty (ie sarcastic).

Anyway, I can't talk - I DO lick cats (their heads) when they're very upset or very lovey or I'm feeling particularly maternal.

Yes it's gross, and yes your tongue does get covered in hair, but they love it.

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This makes my cat allergies flare up. Just thinking about it. I would have to be hospitalized!

I just pull my tongue in.


jk

Pudge grew out of the licky stage on her own.

Heavens, Bijou used to suckle my neck while kneading my face and neck. Fortunately he has grown out of it and now just occasionally licks my neck at the spot where he used to suckle for a few seconds before he settles down to sleep.

Heavens, Bijou used to suckle my neck while kneading my face and neck. Fortunately he has grown out of it and now just occasionally licks my neck for a few seconds at the spot where he used to suckle before he settles down to sleep.

Originally Posted by Yosemite

Heavens, Bijou used to suckle my neck while kneading my face and neck. Fortunately he has grown out of it and now just occasionally licks my neck at the spot where he used to suckle for a few seconds before he settles down to sleep.

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Awww, I just think thats so sweet

Originally Posted by Yarra

This makes my cat allergies flare up. Just thinking about it. I would have to be hospitalized!

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Oh, how awful!

This is so cute! I was coming in here tonight to ask what to do. I have one kitten of eight left now who is such a baby. He is crying all the time when I am in the room, licking, gazing, wanting to nurse on my ear, nuzzling in my hair. He doesn't really want to play like the others.

I thought maybe it was a problem I needed to work him through. But since he is under the weather with the runs, and so forlorn, I think I'll just give him extra attention...

Satai, I WANT to lick them but I just rub my closed lips on their heads, and try to mimic a lick the best way I can.... That is so cool that you do it though!

Originally Posted by Vik61

Satai, I WANT to lick them but I just rub my closed lips on their heads, and try to mimic a lick the best way I can.... That is so cool that you do it though!

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Thank you.

And, in case you ever give in, I should warn you that cats taste like cat spit.

Oh the other hand, when they flop over, purring, close their eyes and offer their face to be lick - it really says "I am your kitten".

Hannah still hasn't outgrown her licking and I don't want her to. Having said that, it's obnoxious when she wants to continue licking my face and chewing my hair, so I just turn my face away or turn her face away. I don't mind one or two licks/kisses, but I don't like the continual licking. She's got a sandpaper-y tongue!!

Callie was never really a licker until recently. (She's my 10 yo kitty.) Lately, she's been licking me on my arm and fingers after I've pet her. I just love that because she's never been big on showing affection.

Ain't kitty love just grand?

Stephanie

It is grand, yes.

Well, I spit some water onto my monitor upon reading that their little heads taste like kitty spit, thank you Satai!

Tonight I had three licking me at the same time. Every night I turn off the light and go in with a flashlight to try to get them all onto the same blanket to sleep. To address the three baby-like ones, I crouch over top of them and they like to meow and lick while they use my body as a cave. It's so indescribably cute...

But about moving them away from your face: I think you might find that the kitten will just keep crawling back up. They're like robots sometimes that way. I personally need to start wearing shirts with sleeves as my shoulders are covered in very fine scratches from the kittens wanting to be around my face and neck. I can't dissuade them, they just keep crawling back up.

Maybe try wrapping him in a tiny blanket or washcloth, to snuggle him and keep him where you want him.

Originally Posted by Vik61

Well, I spit some water onto my monitor upon reading that their little heads taste like kitty spit, thank you Satai!

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Hey, I'm here all week

two of my babies like to lick. just my hands so it's not a big deal. i wake up some nights with Chloe licking one hand and Lilly licking the other. the only time it annoys me is when i KNOW they've just finished cleaning their...well, you know. but i deal...i shower and i deal...

gotta say, don't think i'd ever actually LICK my babies. i give them kisses and hugs, but no licking. wouldn't want to have to lint roll my tongue every day.