Every cat has their own unique way of showing their affection to humans, but there are some easily recognizable behaviors that almost all cats display to communicate their liking and possibly love. Here are 12 cat gestures that show they “love” you.
12 Cat Gestures That Say He’s “Falling In Love” With You
1. Follow you everywhere
This is a clear sign that your cat likes you, or at least knows that you are their food source. Cats that receive a lot of love from humans tend to associate them with positive interactions and may follow them from room toสมัคร ufabet room (including the bathroom) in search of more love.
2. Sleep near or with you
If your cat jumps into bed with you every night and snuggles up next to you. That’s a clear sign that they enjoy physical closeness. Even cats who are nervous around humans or don’t like physical affection will often sleep close to their humans. As they may feel safest when their humans are lying down and not posing as much of a threat.
3. Blink slowly.
While direct eye contact can sometimes be interpreted as threatening. A happy cat will maintain steady eye contact, with eyes slightly open and squinting to indicate contentment. Try “slow blinking” back to your cat in response to the gesture.
4. Massage
This behavior has many names: “making crackers,” “kneading bread,” and “happy paws” are just a few. Cats will alternately flex and press their paws against soft surfaces, including your skin, when they’re particularly happy. This behavior is passed down from childhood. When kittens knead their mother’s belly to stimulate milk flow.
5. Meowing, groaning, and vibrating sounds
Did you know that cats only meow to communicate with humans? Cats rarely need to communicate vocally, but many cats have learned that meowing at humans will elicit a response, whether it’s food, treats, petting, or opening a door.
Anyone who has spent time with a cat knows that they are not as quiet as they seem. Cats make a variety of other sounds, including meows (rhythmic, throaty sounds), purrs (short, high-pitched squeals), and teeth-slapping (usually when they are watching for prey). Meows, purrs, and purrs are special signs of your cat’s bond with you. They’re trying to tell you that they like you! However, be aware that cats may also purr to comfort themselves when they are stressed or sick, so be mindful of the context.
6. Showing off your belly
A cat’s belly is their most vulnerable spot, so if they’re comfortable exposing their belly to you, it means they feel safe. Sometimes, if they’re feeling naughty, a cat may roll over and expose their belly during play (a classic “cat trap” tactic), but watch out for their claws.
7. Twitching the tip of the tail and wrapping the tail around you
A cat’s tail behavior is a language all its own. The way a cat holds its tail can tell you a lot about its mood in any given situation. If a cat runs up to you or wraps itself around you with its tail held high and twitching, it usually means that it is very happy to see you. They may also wag their tail in wide circles to show extra excitement. When sitting or lying down next to their human, a cat may wrap its tail around the nearest part of the person’s body to show warmth and affection.
8. Head-butting and body-rubbing with you
In addition to displaying physical intimacy, cats also enjoy rubbing their faces and heads against people and objects they want to claim as their own. Cats have scent glands on their foreheads, lips, and cheeks that only other cats can smell, so they are marking what they’re rubbing against as their property. When they rub against their owner, they may be picking up your scent as a way of “scent sharing,” a common behavior among close-knit cats.
9. Licking to clean the fur
Cats are experts at grooming themselves and rarely need assistance, so grooming between cats is a sign of affection and comfort, as it can remind them of when they were kittens. Cats will lick their humans to show their ownership, and some cats will even allow their humans to groom them in return. If your cat is licking you, watch for a change in their eyes. Licking can lead to biting (see #12), which is another unusual, albeit painful, way to show bonding.
10.Welcoming you at the door
Kids, spouses, dogs—most of our housemates show their appreciation for our return by welcoming us when we come home. Cats are no different, and many will run to the door when they hear the sound of a key or the approaching footsteps of their favorite person. Get ready for some meowing, head-butting, and maybe a lot of leg-twisting. Whether they’re happy to see you or they’re trying to tell you their food bowl is empty, it’s up to you to decide…
11. Bringing you a gift
Cats are natural hunters, and some unfortunate side effects of this instinctive behavior are the carcasses of mice and birds that can end up on your doorstep. Outdoor cats will try to bring their humans freshly killed “gifts” as a sign of goodwill and pride. They are both showing you what they can do and trying to feed you. Indoor cats will sometimes mimic this behavior by “hunting” and placing their toys in front of their humans.
12. Affectionate bite
As we mentioned above, sometimes a cat’s love can be a little too intense. Cats have naturally sharp teeth and claws, and they don’t always realize the pain these can cause their humans. When your cat repeatedly rubs its face against you, be careful that it doesn’t turn it into an affectionate bite. Although these bites are milder than defensive bites, they can still leave marks and are a behavior that should be gently restrained.