Why Does My Kitten Lick & Bite at My Face & Mouth?

Kittens lick and bite peoples' faces and mouths for a whole host of reasons, from showing tender affection to partaking in spirited and investigative playtime. Nipping might be common behavior in young kittens, but it's extremely important for human owners to nip it in the bud immediately, pun intended.

  1. Exploratory Behavior

    • In their early weeks, kittens usually learn lots of crucial life lessons by interacting with their littermates. A lot of these interactions involve playful roughhousing -- nipping, chasing and pouncing. These valuable social lessons help them understand how to act not only around fellow felines, but also around people. This early playtime teaches kittens to be gentle in their play -- and never, ever to bite hard. If your kitten was moved away from his siblings before he got these experiences, he might be focusing all of this exploratory behavior onto you, hence the licking and biting of your face and mouth. Such behavior can worsen as he becomes an adult. Speak to your veterinarian about any problems with this; you might need some assistance from a professional pet trainer. Never allow biting behavior to continue without taking steps to eliminate it.

    Tasty

    • If your kitten licks your mouth and face, it could be because he detects something tasty on your skin. Perhaps it's the lingering scent of your lunch. Maybe it's a new facial cream. Kittens like to investigate all sorts of things, whether they simply taste good or just look fascinating. Cats are often especially interested in face products that contain animal components such as gelatin and lanolin. In most cases a little licking of these things is no cause for worry, but check with your veterinarian just to be certain.

    Affection

    • Canines often lick faces to express their loving feelings, and so do felines. By licking your face, your kitty might be showing you some of his finest nurturing skills and attentiveness -- just like his mother cat did when she used to groom him. By licking your face, your cutie might be informing you that your presence makes him feel content, peaceful and entirely at ease.

    Compulsive Pattern

    • Your kitten's habit of licking and biting your face or mouth could also be a compulsive action that stems from some type of frustration and tension. The little guy could be particularly nervous about something -- perhaps a big dog who lives in your home. He might need more exercise, play, or attention from people. In licking and biting you, your kitten could simply be attempting to relax his angst-ridden emotions. However, repetitive licking and biting sometimes indicates a health problem. Take your kitten to the veterinarian to make sure the behavior isn't rooted in sickness.