August 26, 2024, 10:21 am | Read time: 4 minutes

Some cats have developed a strange obsession with licking their owners’ feet. PETBOOK explains where this behavior comes from and what you can do if it becomes unpleasant.

But even when you slip out of your sneakers or boots at other times of the year, some animals find the socks so aromatic that they sniff them heartily. Sometimes, they even open their mouths and look mesmerized. So, are our cats actually attracted to the smell of cheesy feet, or is there another reason for this behavior?

What fascinates cats about feet

Many cats are generally fascinated by feet. They move at their eye level, create intriguing movements under the comforter, and, of course, have a fascinating scent. It’s not so much the unpleasant smell for human noses after a long day on their feet. Instead, to cats, feet exude a mix of the human’s odor, together with other chemicals and proteins that we don’t even notice¹

This is because cats have a very keen sense of smell and taste, with which they pick up nuances that remain hidden from us. This means that places where we sweat a lot or where there are a lot of glands are particularly interesting for animals. This is because cats can not only smell the umami flavor contained in proteins, they can practically taste it²

They do this when they open their mouths in a behavior known as ‘flehmen.’ In doing so, they use their Jacobson’s organ, which also helps dogs to perceive different odors. Whether the animals then taste or smell them, or whether it is a sensory perception that humans cannot imagine, is still being scientifically investigated³

Why cats lick feet constantly

When feet secrete sweat all day, it collects in socks or open sandals. But even beloved and often worn sneakers give off a scent that is beguiling for cats. So they often not only rub themselves against us but also “perfume” themselves by rubbing against worn socks or shoes.

However, smell is not necessarily the only reason a cat likes to lick feet. Like many behaviors, humans often reinforce them unconsciously. If you are lying relaxed and the cat rubs its feet, reacting to this can positively reinforce the animals. So, if you giggle or respond to the behavior with your voice or movement, this is feedback for the animals⁴

However, they also have other reasons to lick us. Among other things, it calms cats when they groom and lick themselves. If they transfer this behavior to humans, it also has a social component that strengthens their bond with us. At the same time, they mask and mix their pheromones with ours and create a shared scent with us.

More on the topic

Behavior explained Why do cats lick us? 6 possible reasons

Behavior explained Why cats like to lie on paper and other surfaces

Toilet training How to teach kittens to use the litter box

How can I prevent the cat from licking my feet?

For many people, the experience of having their cat lick their feet is not a pleasant one. Although this strengthens the social bond and the animals simply love our smell, there are ways to prevent the behavior from becoming even more intense.

Of course, you shouldn’t shout at the animals, as they could take this as feedback and reinforcement of the behavior. If you prefer that your cat doesn’t lick your feet, gently withdraw them and offer a distraction such as a toy or a treat. Alternatively, if they persist, you can toss them a pair of worn socks to sniff instead. If this is also unpleasant, the only thing that helps is to put the worn shoes away so that the animals cannot reach them and to always put worn socks directly into the laundry basket.