If your cat immediately licks itself after you pet them, it can feel a little bit hurtful and like they're rejecting you - however, there's a much more important reason11:21, 08 Jun 2026Cats are a quirky mix of aloof and loving. So when they do something that may come across as though they don't like you, it can feel really hurtful and leave you questioning everything about your relationship.‌However, experts have said you shouldn't be "disheartened" if you pet your cat and they immediately lick themselves. It may feel as though they're reclaiming the part of their body you dared to touch, but there's actually a deep-rooted reason why cats groom immediately after contact.‌On the Pretty Litter website, Christina Scamporrino, who works in the pet care space, explained that cats have "meticulous grooming habits".‌It's all too easy to think you've done something wrong when they start licking themselves after, especially after you've been stroking them and they seemed to like it. But Christina shared it's nothing to do with you – but it's more about instincts.Removing human scentAs much as your cat loves you, they don't want your scent on their fur because "cats have scent glands located around their body, and they rely heavily on their sense of smell to communicate and navigate their world".If all they can smell is your scent, this impairs how well they use scent because you've transferred your scent onto their fur.‌They will "restore their own scent, which is familiar and comforting to them".Self-soothing and comfortContent cannot be displayed without consentCats use licking as a self-soothing method, and this may be one of the reasons why they're excessively licking themselves when you stroke them.‌"After a petting session, licking helps them calm down and return to their baseline state, similar to how we might take deep breaths or perform a relaxing activity to unwind," Christina explained.While cats may lick you as a form of affection, they do the same to themselves to find "relaxation and comfort".Reinforcing social bonds"Grooming is a social activity in the feline world," and this means that it can reinforce social bonds when cats groom each other.Article continues belowThis means, when you pet your cat, they see it as a social activity and "by licking themselves afterwards, they are not only grooming but also mimicking the social grooming behaviours they would exhibit with other cats".When grooming may become an issue...Grooming may become an issue if they're doing it too often. This could signal they're stressed, anxious, or have underlying health issues.It's worth noting "if your cat is licking themselves to the point of causing bald spots, skin irritation, or hair loss," there could be an issue, and it's worth speaking to your vet about the behaviour your cat is exhibiting.