Why Do Cats Lick Us?

Here’s three explanations

Photo by Eric Han on Unsplash

I just read an article about why cats lick people. Here’s some explanations:

1. Cats are very territorial. They leave their scent on objects when they lick them. It’s a way a cat says, “This is mine”.
2. Kittens share licks with their mother and siblings as they grow up. This helps to create a bond between them.
3. Cats may like the way a person smells. Perhaps they lick a particular person to get a pleasing sensory experience.

Let’s consider these explanations. All seem to be concerned with the cat claiming possession or creating a bond.

Sounds to me that cats lick people because they like being with us, for various reasons. I am a person who loves cats. Many others love cats as well. Is it too big a stretch to conclude that maybe cats love us too?