The reason cats lick their owners is not because they think you're tasty or need a wash. It's more likely that they want to form a close bond.
Some cats do find our natural human 'flavor' to be pretty tasty, but things we put on our bodies also make us more appetizing to our feline friends.
Your cat is expressing her affection for you.
Your cat's licking may be an affiliative behavior, which is a friendly, altruistic behavior. Mothers groom their kittens, and cats may groom one another, which is called allogrooming.
Your cat might be tasting you—and that's perfectly normal! Cats love the taste of salt, and since human sweat is salty, they sometimes like to lick humans just to get the salty flavor off of the skin.
One reason your cat may lick you is because it's a way of creating a social bond. From a young age a cat's mother would not only lick them as a way of grooming them, but also to show affection. Cats then replicate this behaviour with you as a way of showing their own affection – it simply comes naturally.
Signs of Affection
If your feline friend loves to lick you, it probably means they would like some affection in return. Which, honestly, is one of the best parts of owning a cat. Just think of those little licks as your cat's way of giving you a kiss.
PetMD also points out that cats are territorial creatures. They claim their turf by marking it with their scent. So when they sleep on top of you, they're actually marking you—and your bed—as theirs. We should be flattered by this behavior, apparently.
It is a common behavioral interaction that cats usually engage in. This ritualistic "small bite" can be perceived as an act of affection between cat and owner, mainly if the petted animal happens to curl up with its human partner. Your cat is showing you how much they care by giving affectionate licks and bites.
It's how they show love and trust. Your cat may lie on your chest to show that you're their protector. They love the warmth coming from your body and listening to your heartbeat. If you have more than one pet, your cat might simply be marking their territory around you to tell other pets to stay away.
By choosing to sleep on you, your cat gets an extra level of protection and gets to bond with you at the same time. When your cat chooses to sleep on you, it's her way of saying "I love you. I want to be near you and spend time with you when I'm at my most vulnerable."
One of the most plausible and sweetest reasons why your cat “follows” you even into the bathroom is that he loves you. The cat wants to take advantage of every second of your presence and every possible opportunity to spend time with you! He adores you so much that he will follow you everywhere in the house.
The licking of your face and chin, is your cat grooming you. They do that because they care about you. Laying on your chest is another way of showing their trust and affection.
According to Scientific American, cats are the only mammals that lack taste receptors for sweetness. They do seem to have taste receptors for sour, bitter, salty, umami (savoriness) and possibly fat along with a taste for something we don't have: adenosine triphosphate (ATP).
Since cats do not need carbohydrates in their diets, they have no need to detect sweet tastes. Despite tongue similarities with other mammals, cats have a couple of notable differences. Despite having fewer taste buds than other animals, cats seem to be able to taste sour, bitter, salty, and umami flavors well enough.
A cat's sense of taste is weak. Humans have 9,000 taste buds. Cats have 473. They make up for this deficiency with a superior sense of smell.
If your cat likes to sleep between your legs, it's most likely a sign of affection and means your cat feels safe and comfortable with you - Normal and affectionate cat behavior. Nevertheless, if you don't want to sleep with your cat, there are plenty of alternatives that will provide you both with happy sleeps.
So they want to mark you again with their scent by rubbing, headbutting, licking, or even gently biting you. This allows your cat to reclaim their territory, and it's thought to increase endorphins, which gives them a sense of calm, happiness, and safety.
Cats bite to send messages, Purina says. They may be telling you to stop petting them or they could be biting you out of playfulness.
Sleeping near you
If your kitty likes to sleep near you - or even on you - this is an indication that they have total trust in you.
They crave warm and cozy spots, so if your bed is something they find comfortable, they'll likely choose you to snuggle with. The one who makes them feel safe. Cats are particular about where they sleep, ensuring it's safe and secure.
When your cat is curled up near you, they're simply letting you know that they feel safe. This is your feline friend's way of letting you know that they trust you.
Do cats actually miss their owners? Yes, they do. The cats miss the owners whenever they are away or have been detached from the owner. They notice the absence of all the showered love their owners have left for them.
In most cases, cats will purr when they are in a relaxed environment, sending out waves of calmness. This may also occur when you stroke them, and if this is the case, your feline friend is feeling happy or sociable. However, cats purr to communicate other emotions and needs, too.
Nose-To-Nose Hellos To Humans
Wet nose kisses are a wonderful sign of affection. Sure, there's some initial sniffing involved for identification purposes, but this says you're someone the cat likes. If the cat really likes you, he may punctuate the nose kiss with a gentle love nip.