in

15 Signs Your Cat Loves You

person holding orange tabby kitten
Photo by Manki Kim on Unsplash

Cats have a bit of a reputation for being standoffish, but a lot of that comes from comparing them to dogs. Sure, they won’t greet you with a wagging tail or an excited bark, but cats do form super strong bonds with their favorite people. Their affection is just more low-key, which is all part of their charm. Here are 15 signs your cat loves you.

Your cat warmly welcomes you home.

brown tabby cat near window
Photo by Caleb Woods on Unsplash

The cheerful meow, the upright tail, the excited little trot in your direction, if that’s not a happy cat, we’re stumped! Some cats even develop an almost spooky ability to predict when you’re about to arrive, sitting by the door or window long before there’s any sign or sound of you outside. You’ll have to confirm that psychic skill with someone else in the house, though.

They groom you.

woman carrying cat while standing on porch
Photo by Mel Elías on Unsplash

You probably groom your cat, but have you ever thought about your kitten grooming you? Cats can express their affection by giving you their version of a grooming session through licking. So the next time your cat’s rough, sandpaper-like tongue makes contact, take it as a sign of love—it means they see you as part of their family.

They enjoy getting pets.

shallow focus photography of silver tabby cat
Photo by Namcha ph on Unsplash

While some cats are all about getting pets from anyone and everyone, many aren’t fans of being handled too much. Unlike dogs, they don’t want strangers petting them. If your cat backs away from an overly eager stranger or gives them a little swat but happily lets you pet them, that’s a sure sign of love. 

They greet you with headbutts.

orange tabby cat on gray area rug
Photo by Christin Hume on Unsplash

Does your cat greet you with a hearty head bonk? They’re not looking to pick a fight—they’re actually expressing their love! According to Feliway, our cats’ wild ancestors used cat bunting (or headbutting) to share scents with other members of their colony as a sign of trust. Since your cat has scent glands all over their head, when they give you a headbutt, they’re sharing their scent and marking you as part of their family.

They give slow blinks.

silver tabby cat closeup photo
Photo by Kevin Knezic on Unsplash

Wait, cats can show affection by… slowly blinking at you? Well, sort of. More accurately, it’s a sign of mutual trust. Direct eye contact is usually seen as a threat among cats. When they’re friendly, they do this “slow blink” thing, where they look at each other, slowly blink, and then look away to avoid that direct stare. So, when your cat does this with you, they say they’re not a threat.

They show you their belly.

orange Persian cat sleeping
Photo by Ludemeula Fernandes on Unsplash

In the wild, cats are reluctant to expose their bellies since it’s a soft area full of vital organs vulnerable to attacks. So, when your cat flashes their belly at you, they’re essentially saying they trust you not to harm them. That said, it doesn’t necessarily mean they’re asking for belly rubs so unless you know your cat enjoys those, approach their tummy at your own risk.

They meow a lot.

closeup photo of white cat on floor
Photo by Hunt Han on Unsplash

Cats are thought to have a special ‘meow’ just for humans. If your cat is meowing, gurgling, and chatting a lot when you’re around, they’re letting you know how much they love you. But if your cat has stopped meowing, it could be for a few reasons. Besides feeling a bit stressed, they might have allergies, be recovering from recent surgery, or just have a temporary case of losing their voice!

They snuggle and sleep on you.

person holding gray tabby cat while lying on bed
Photo by Chris Abney on Unsplash

Cats are naturally cautious and need to feel really secure when picking a spot to snooze. If they choose you as their bed, consider it a sign of total trust and happiness. But while it’s flattering to be your cat’s favorite sleeping place, they still need a proper cat bed. Pair it with a super cozy cat blanket for the ultimate comfort that your furry friend won’t be able to resist.

They follow you around.

gray tabby cat
Photo by Kari Shea on Unsplash

If it’s not food time, this behavior is a sign of pure affection, and your cat just wants to be with you. Some cats love to tag along with their owners outside, and many are more than happy to follow their best friends to bed. It can be very tough to break once you’ve let them adopt this habit. It’s pretty much the same thing dogs do.

They purr when near you.

woman carrying kitten
Photo by Jeffrey Buchbinder on Unsplash

It’s a well-known fact that cats purr when they’re comfortable and happy (though some cats purr more than others). If your furry friend purrs when you pick them up or stroke their fur, that’s usually a solid sign that they’re happy to have you around! That said, purring isn’t just a sign of happiness. Cats also purr to get attention, express hunger, or self-soothe when they’re feeling stressed or injured.

They knead you.

Siamese cat
Photo by Alex Meier on Unsplash

Sometimes, during a cuddle session, your cat will alternate, pressing their paws into you like they’re making bread dough on your lap. This behavior is called “kneading” or “making biscuits,” and the reason your cat does this is pretty sweet. Kittens knead their mother’s mammary glands to stimulate milk flow and release the bonding hormone oxytocin. Even after they’ve been weaned, adult cats often keep this behavior as a loving way to bond socially.

They approach with an upright or question mark tail.

gray and white cat showing tongue
Photo by Miron Cristina on Unsplash

Since we’re on the topic of tails, here are a couple more affectionate tail signs you should know. A tail pointing straight up means that your cat is “content, confident, and sociable”—it’s usually how kittens greet their mothers! A “question mark” tail—an upright tail with a slight curl at the end—also shows that your cat is happy to see you.

They bring you “gifts.”

kitten lying down on bed
Photo by nine koepfer on Unsplash

Your cat has proudly brought you yet another scrounged-up piece of trash, their worn-out toy rat, or even worse, an actual dead rat. It comes from a well-meaning place. As experts explain, cats are pack animals with an instinctual drive to hunt and provide for their families—and you’re part of that family! When your cat conquers its “prey,” they want to make sure you get your fair share of the spoils.

They present their bottom to you.

a fluffy cat sitting on top of a blue blanket
Photo by Carter Rubio on Unsplash

A cat butt in your face isn’t exactly what most of us would call a charming greeting, but it’s their way of being polite! Like dogs, cats have pheromone-filled scent glands on their backsides that convey important information through scent. Friendly cats sniff each other’s behinds to learn more about one another and where they’ve been.

They hang out with you.

white and black cat lying on brown textile
Photo by Milada Vigerova on Unsplash

Not all cats are cuddly, playful, or chatty, and some people with reserved or cuddle-averse kitties worry that their pets don’t really like them. But think about this: does your cat still make an effort to hang around you? If so, you can relax. As we’ve established, cats are pretty choosy about who they spend their time with, and while some prefer a lot of personal space, that doesn’t mean they don’t care about their humans.

Written by Lisa O

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *