Meat Licks Me

[Fluffagrams]

Meat seems to have taken to licking me every so often. It's quite a cute thing in a way for him to do but I wonder why some hamsters do this?

[Shannonmcn]

Cc does it too, just double, triple checking we're definitely not food. You can never be too sure you know

[BluerayDarkes]

I was told when an animal licks you its because they like the salt on your hands

[Fluffagrams]

Originally Posted by BluerayDarkes

I was told when an animal licks you its because they like the salt on your hands

Eeew!

I did wonder if something like that was a reason for it even though I'm always careful when washing my hands before and after I pick them up. Irritatingly enough, he's got a mineral block in his cage that he just ignores.

[maebh06]

Mine completely ignores his mineral block too, but unfortunately doesn't lick my hand either!

[BluerayDarkes]

Originally Posted by Fluffagrams

Eeew!

I did wonder if something like that was a reason for it even though I'm always careful when washing my hands before and after I pick them up. Irritatingly enough, he's got a mineral block in his cage that he just ignores.

Even when you don't think you are, you are sweating that secrets the salt. Washing hands doesn't really stop you producing salt!

[Fluffagrams]

I'm not sure I'm as enthused about his licking me now I know why he might be doing it. Then again no one said pet ownership would be glamorous.

[Piebald]

It may be that but it may also be a kind of mutual grooming. Animals will groom each other and you may be getting a compliment that you're one of the gang.

[Avocado]

Little Cheese and Mustard have both taken to licking me, and as I do get the hot flushes (TMI) I more or less presumed it was the salt!

In other news, none of my hams have ever used their salt licks/mineral blocks.