pasusan
PA
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My cat likes to sleep with me. Sometimes I will wake up in pain when she has been licking the same spot on my arm or leg over and over. That is not nearly so bad as her new deal. She started licking my face while I'm sleeping. Not only does it wake me up, but I worry about germs. Sometimes it is by my eyes or lips. Scary!
Should I be worried or just be happy that she loves me so much?
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DutchmenSport
Between Anderson, Pendleton, & Lapel, Indiana
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I've had cats all my life and not a one of them has killed me yet. If cats had harmful germs, the germs would have "gotten" you long before now.
Those little tongues are extremely rough, unlike a dog that is smooth. I can see if one licks long enough it will cause a sore. If the skin gets broken, I think you'd be more prone to some kind of infection by some other germ getting on it, more harmful than any cat could have.
I think cats lick because they are trying to groom you. It might be love, but I think it's because they may think you need a good bath! (oops! Did I really say that!) (or they are really hungry and eating your salt!)
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kknowlton
southeast Idaho, formerly IL/WI border
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Cats' saliva does have different bacteria than ours, which isn't usually an issue unless you're allergic, or you have an open sore which they lick.
Their tongues are rough because cats, as carnivores, in the wild would need to lick off the prey's fur in order to reach the meat. Therefore, they could easily do the same to you - though probably from different motives. 
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Spike88
New Glasgow,Nova Scotia Canada
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I would be dead by now!!!!!
Margie UPS~44
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skipnchar
Topeka or somewhere else
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There is hardly a living creature that doesn't carry bacteria in their body fluids, including cats. That doesn't mean it's HARMFUL bacteria and I've never heard of any specis of "poisonous cat". Probably not too much to worry about.
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PaulandMarie
Ontario
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I had a cat that liked to "bath" me during the night for ... 5 yrs and I did not get one infection. And she only washed my face!! So I would not worry. I always felt it was her way to express her love. However, yes, that tongue is rough!! Happy snuggles with your kitty :-)
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AZPops
Wherever the Job takes us...
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Personally I would be more concern about what you can pick up from a shopping cart.
If I’m correct, cleaning is part of a packs or groups ritual.
Pops
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pasusan
PA
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Whew! Looks like I'll live through it. I was worried because of the cat bite thing. Apparently when a cat bites you the bacteria makes the affected area swell up pretty bad. I guess those raspy tongues are not so dangerous! 
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dturm
Munster, IN
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Anybody who has been bitten by a cat and dealt with the resulting swelling, infection and pain (sometime cat scratch fever) can testify that they do have potentially harmful bacteria.
That being said, don't worry about a little licking unless you are immune compromised or have open sores.
I'd be forever infected if dog/cat saliva was really a problem.
Doug, DVM
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dogcomestoo
Massachusetts
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Dr. Doug, correct me if I'm wrong, please, BUT a few years ago one of our cats bit my husband in the thumb. It became infected and my DH had to go to the doc's office for several days for iv antibiotics. We were told that cat saliva contains a bacteria closely related to the one that caused the plague. Being licked isn't a problem in most situations, but I'd be concerned if I had a recent cut .
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