6 Ways Cats Show That Yes, They ACTUALLY Love You

7 comments

 

Cats aren’t always the easiest creatures to read. Their signs of affection can often be subtle, so much so that they’re easy to miss. Unlike dogs, who wear their hearts on their furry sleeve, some cats are more reserved. But they show their love just as much as dogs do, just in different ways. The next time you go to cuddle your cat, keep your eye out for these feline behaviors that confirm your cat totally digs you, man.

 

 

The "Slow Blink." Made famous by Jackson Galaxy, the cat guru from "My Cat From Hell," this subtle expression of feline affection from a confiding cat can be difficult to catch. Cats do not like to stare their humans directly in the eyes, as they see direct and constant eye contact as a threat or challenge. By giving you that slow blink, your cat is showing you that they feel safe around you, safe enough to close their eyes to the danger-filled world they evolved in.

 

Head rubs and head butts! While it's not hard to see the affection in your cat snuggling up to your legs and headbutting your face, do you ever wonder why they do it? Cats have scent glands on their face and the base of their tail. When they push their head onto your hands or feet, they're scent-marking you, letting the whole world know (in their own secret, pheromone-encrypted way) that you belong to them.

 

Being in the same space as you (on purpose). While it doesn't seem like much, a cat won't share space with someone it doesn't like. They will share space with those they feel comfortable and safe with. They might lie down next to you on the couch when you're watching TV, maybe reach out a paw every now and then to touch your arm, make sure you're still there. Even just sitting in the same room as you is a sign that your cat enjoys your company as much as you enjoy theirs.

 

The Tummy Rub Trap. As hard as it is to resist, a cat lying on its back and showing you its belly is not always an open invitation for pets. When Mr. Mittens rolls on his back and shows you that fluffy tum, what he’s really trying to tell you is that he feels completely safe around you. He trusts you not to touch his belly. Some cats, though, do enjoy a good belly rub. And if you can do so without getting scratched, give in! But even just having your cat roll over and show its belly is a huge sign of trust. In the wild, a cat would never show its vulnerable underbelly to someone it regarded a threat.

 

Social Grooming. Domesticated cats participate in a social grooming activity called allogrooming, similar to lions in prides. Social grooming helps cement bonds between cats and their humans. 

 

Love Bites. If your cat starts licking you, and maybe even giving you a few "love bites" on your hands and knuckles, they're trying to show you that they love you. You can read more about "love bites" and what this behavior means here. Be careful, as grooming can quickly turn into overstimulation for cats and the love bites may become a bit too hard.

Cats show their affection for us humans in several ways - you just have to know what to look for. 


7 comments


  • Chasity Guerrero

    I have 6 cats. I found each one of them after my dog of 14 years die of old age. I haven’t had a pet cat for years, since I was a young girl and teenager! I was sad when my dog pass away, didn’t feel like eating or cooking, I was about 38yrs old, when this happened. I was at a store and saw a 2mths old kitty, he was scared, and alone. So I brought him home, and took care of him. He made me feel happy again. A year later, I was driving home and in the streets, I found another 2mths old beautiful kitten, who needed a help and a loving home, so I took care of him, too! Both cat became very close and my family was very happy! Last summer, 2018 a queen cat delivered kittens under my house, but she only wanted me to feed her, so I did, because I didn’t know where she came from. My cats are neutered, so I knew they weren’t the Dad’s Finally one of the kittys came out but the mom cat would not feed him so I took him inside and took care of him myself, he was in bad shape. I brought kitten milk and feed him. Some days laters the other kittens were coming to look for their mom and food. So I took them inside my home to take care of them all Summer! I try giving them back to the mom cat but she would get hiss at them and didn’t want to care for them, she just wanted to be feed, she wouldn’t let me to get close to her, either. So months went by, I took them to the vet for shots. I became very close to them, they were my babies, and it’s been a year now! It was 4 kittys. They sleep on our bed and their cat climber. They all get along with my 2 male cats, my male cats are like their dads. They all have different personalities in there own way. I hate to separate them because they grew up together. They are very well behaved Kitty Cats. It’s changed my Life, some people don’t understand, and some people don’t have patience and love to give to animals, Pets! Our Pets became our Family and I Love them do much!


  • Penny

    My Cassie picked me at the shelter. I walked by and she meowed and meowed. When I took her home the people at the shelter said don’t be surprised if she hides for a while. That night I brought her home. Not only did she jump on my lap she turned on her side and let me rub her tummy. It was meant to be.


  • Sammo

    My Trouble is wherever I am when I am home. We have a routine at bedtime that he directs and it’s always exactly the same.
    He’s started letting us know if our other cat wants in, by going up and down the hall talking loudly till we understand.

    I am a nanny and I love when I get to work in home that have cats. This way I have cat love even more often.

    I will never understand people who think cats don’t care about their people.


  • IBIS

    I KNOW ALL THAT BECAUSE MY CATS DO THAT TO ME ALL THE TIME, THEY EVEN PUSH EACH OTHER SO I CAN PET THEM, THEY ARE ADORABLE CREATURES, I LOVE ALL THE ANIMAL I’M 100% ANIMAL LOVER, I USED TO HAVE 25 CATS, NOW I ONLY HAVE 5, EVERY TIME THAT ONE OF MY BABIES DIE I FEEL SO BAD AND I DOES NO MATTER FOR HOW LONG THEY HAVE BEEN DEATH , I CRY EVERY TIME THAT I REMEMBER THEM


  • ann duhamel

    I recently adopted an FIV cat – she is a black long haired beauty with huge golden eyes – she is the sweetest cat you could ever ssk for. She loves everyone and everyone loves her. I lost my lat 2 cats within weeks of each other and I was totally devastated – I was so lonely and the house was ever so empty. So I decided to get in touch with a refuge and find myself a cat to loe. I was going to take her as a foster but after a few days I knew i could never give her back – so I adopted hr. Her name is Chanel and she is the jy of my life. Thank God for cats they are such good company


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