How does a cat show affection?

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Why does my kitty rub on my legs?

How does a cat show affection?

Despite the common misconception, cats are not showing affection when they rub against you with the back of their head and the rest of their body. It's just cat instinct to mark you with their scent; they are actually claiming you as their territory.

The only time a cat is truly showing affection is when they bump you with the front part of their head, known as head bonks, a cat behavior also called "bunting". He might rub along your chin and nose, engaging in the bunting behavior that began as a kitten when he'd rub around his mother's head seeking to nurse. Some cats get so carried away that they even drool.

The next time your cat jumps onto the bed and seems to butt you in the face with the top of his head, don't get irritated, realize the loving compliment your kitty just paid you.

   

Comments

2/2/2007 2:51:44 AM
Dell said:

To me, my cat who butts me & kneads my tummy and drools all over me does not have enough mother's cat milk. The thought of yum yum milk causes the drooling - and the cat is all of 10 yrs old.


5/19/2007 5:05:14 PM
Mike said:

We have 4 cats and two of the males love to be held and kissed on the head and face and they "bunt" back. They get carried away sometimes and will bite your chin or nose and one of them bites my eyebrow. Not sure why they do this and have never found an answer anywhere on the web.


7/15/2007 9:35:56 PM
Winnie said:

After reading this I see why My cat Cali drools! I have another cat also and she does not drool but does butt me in the morning while I am still in bed. Thanks for the info! Keep them coming.


8/10/2007 8:14:36 AM
Rachel said:

My cat butts my head every time I go near her. She does not like my brother very much I don't blame her I don't like him very much either.


9/12/2007 5:30:46 PM
Carrie said:

My cat does this all the time! She loves giving "head butt" and she'll drool when she does it... she will also bathe me or gently bite my cheek... none of it bothers me at all because I know she's doing it because she loves me and is showing affection. I think it's so sweet!


9/14/2007 1:28:10 PM
Hannah said:

Both my cats head butt me all the time, they climb onto my lap, put their paws on my chest and butt away at my nose and forehead! They also make slow blinks at me, and if i do it back to them the fall asleep! I have never had such affectionate cats, they follow me everywhere!


11/10/2007 12:00:29 PM
Sarah said:

My male cat that is three years old wants to sit on my lap all the time. He also bumps into me on the regular bases. My youngs cat like to get on every counter in the house and throw things on the floor to play with. She is constantly T.Ping my bathtub with the toilet paper. She is only a bit over one years old.


1/22/2008 11:57:34 AM
Halo said:

my cat does this constantly, he demands that all attention is on him, he sleeps in my arms like a baby, on his back, belly exposed and head back or under my chin. he refuses to sleep any other way, he also stares into my eyes then plants a peck on my lips with his lips. he is a very affectionate cat. so much its annoying at times.


2/23/2008 10:51:57 PM
Kay said:

The reason your cat drools is because he's happy. Some cats are just given to drooling when they're feeling especially fine and gross as it may be, it too is a compliment. (I'll bet you don't notice him drooling everywhere when it's mealtime or he's about to get a treat.)


12/17/2008 10:48:12 AM
Jayne said:

Our cat actually bites gently on our faces when he's loving on us.


2/2/2009 12:18:00 PM
laura mancuso@nbhn.net said:

my cat started waking me up at about 2:30 am every night (to eat)...the guy that lives upstairs from me gets up at that time and I think the cat thinks its morning....help...im sleep deprived...i've tried the squirt bottle with water but its not working...help.....


4/3/2009 12:48:32 PM
louise said:

both my cats do this. oh and its so sweet :) the first cat we got, ferrero a ginger tom, is a big one for giving me love, he waits n my chest of drawers and meows til i give in and put my face by his so he can rub it all over my nose!!!!

i have a 5 month old kitten and she has just started doing it too!! she really does it hard too, and only to me, never my husband!! and she does the kneading thing too, it is soooo cute :)

i think she is in love with me!!!


10/5/2009 9:45:11 AM
JoAnn said:

I have a 13 year siamese who is the queen of head bumps. So funny, and she drools all over herself when she lays in my lap and purrs. Jade is her name, and she even head bumps the two dogs. Love her.


10/17/2009 7:56:26 PM
Andi said:

I have a cat with deformed back legs that "bunts" and then will slowly blink and chirp while looking at me---guess I'm being doubly-complimented!


9/5/2011 8:48:53 PM
Kelly said:

My cat does do the head affection act as described. we got him two months ago from a shelter. He is about 2 years old. Would that change?


12/17/2011 4:27:50 AM
kim said:

my kitten does that and she keeps butting me in the head


12/17/2011 4:29:01 AM
kim said:

my kitten does that and she keeps butting me in the head




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