When take a cat home, he becomes a part of your family. He very quickly figures out the best places to nap, finds the ideal perch for watching birds and squirrels, and also determines the best way to get you to give him food and treats. However, another fun thing happens: You have become a cat owner. This means you’re responsible for that stinky litter box, of course. However, it also means you become obsessed with figuring out what your cat is thinking.
You’ll probably take note of yourself constantly guessing at why your cat is meowing or what she wants when she stares you down from across the room. And every once in a while, you’ll more than likely find yourself wondering whether your cat actually loves you. Despite their infamous aloofness, kitties actually are capable of love. Here are the ways his behavior might tell you he really does adore you.
He shows off his butt to you
He rubs his entire face against you
You will probably think your cat is saying he loves you when he rubs against your legs. That may be true. However, he’s also signaling that he regards you as a non-hostile cat, according to what The New York Times said. And as Vox added, “Many researchers interpret this as an attempt, by the cat, to spread his or her scent — as a way to mark territory.” So he’s basically saying you belong to him.
He slowly blinks his eyes at you
Yet another common way cats show their affection for the people around them? The famous “slow blink.” VetStreet reporte when cats interact with people whom they don’t feel threatened by, they communicate that they’re a bit comfortable around you with this characteristic eye movement. Your cat will look over at you and slowly blink, leaving his eyes closed or almost closed for a several seconds. A cat who slow blinks at you may might not want you to pet him, but he’s definitely signaling he’s comfortable around you.
He responds to all of your emotions
If you believe the popular notion that cats are a bit passive-aggressive or even narcissistic, you might be surprised to learn cats are able to pick up on how their humans are feeling. The BBC reported according to a recent study, cats behave differently when their owners are smiling than when they are frowning.
Cats actually respond to a smiling owner with positive behaviors, such as purring, rubbing, or jumping into their owner’s lap. And they wish to spend more time with a smiling owner than a frowning one. If your cat seems to respond to your emotions, you probably aren’t imagining it. He’s more than likely learned to read your facial expressions over time — even if he doesn’t exactly empathize with you.
He will knead your lap or legs
Many cats knead by pushing their paws in and out of their owners’ legs or lap. It can get painful because the cat’s claws often get involved. However, the behavior might be a sign of your cat’s bond with you. Kittens learn to knead when their mothers nurse them because the movement can help stimulate the flow of milk. Older cats actually persist in kneading to show their contentment or even to mark their owners with their scents using glands in their paws.
He will treat you like a cat
Owners of particularly independent cats may assume because their kitties treat them just like any other feline, they don’t really have very much affection for the humans in their life. But the opposite might be true.
As National Geographic reported, researchers have found cats don’t really socialize with people any differently than they will with other cats. They put their tails straight up in the air, rub around our legs, and sit beside us as they groom themselves. Cats will use behaviors with us that they learned with other cats. And that’s a true sign they want to communicate and bond with us — even if they don’t really make the distinction between cat and human.
You cat follows you around
Ever wondered why your cat follows you around, even at those times when he doesn’t really want you to pet him or pick him up? He may just want you to feed him. Or maybe he wants to know what you’re doing. However, VetStreet notes even cats who don’t appreciate physical attention seem to show their affection by staying near their owners. If your kitty follows you around, he’s probably saying he likes your companionship. Or at the very least, he’s trying to remind you his food bowl is empty.
He holds his own tail the right way
Your cat’s tail will help you tell how he’s feeling. National Geographic reported you have to take your cat’s whole body into account when you judge what his tail is saying. On a calm cat, a tail held straight up with the tip hooked actually constitutes a friendly greeting. An aggressive kitty holding his tail the same way might just be holding his tail straight up. A fearful cat will have more of an arched back and a tail held up and puffed out. A quickly whipping tail on an alert cat can signal nervousness or even potential aggression. You should learn to pay attention to your cat’s tail, and you’ll learn to spot his most affectionate moods.
Kitty purrs at the right time and place
One of the very best-kept secrets about cats is they don’t only purr when they’re happy. As Wired reported, nobody has determined for sure why cats purr. They actually seem to purr “when they’re pleased and feeling good. However, that’s not always the case.” The publication added, “Some cats also purr when they’re hungry, injured, or frightened.” You might notice your cat purring at odd times. But if he’s lying in your lap and purring contentedly? That’s a decent sign that he’s saying, “I love you.”
Kitty rolls around on his back
Does your kitty ever roll around on his back, holding his paws up and exposing his belly? The Spruce reported that if so, your cat more than likely wants your attention. A cat exposing his belly is definitely signaling he trusts you. However, he might not want you to rub his tummy. (If you do, he may grab your hand and rabbit-kick until you manage to pull away.) Rolling around also helps your cat to spread his scent around your home. However, if you repeatedly see him stop, drop, and roll right in front of you, he’s probably telling you, “Pay attention to me!”
He will lick your hand or face
Many cats actually lick their owners’ hands, arms, toes, or even their faces. But jut why do they do that? And is that some kind of display of affection? Animal Planet reported being licked is the first tactile experience your kitty remembers from his days as a kitten. “When your cat licks you, she’s cleaning you up and claiming you — just as she would for a feline friend or litter mate.”
Licking is actually comforting and soothing to a cat. So when your cat decides to lick you, he’s showing you his affection. Some cats may even take their grooming behaviors further, such as by “combing” their owners’ hair. Both licking and combing spread your cat’s scent, creating a combined scent that identifies you as a family.
He will head butt you
When your fur-baby walks up to you and head butts you, you’re probably left wondering what he’s saying or what he wants. As VetStreet reported, the behavior, technically named bunting, appears both in domesticated cats and in their wild counterparts. Just like he does when he rubs his own face against your leg, your cat head butts you to deposit his pheromones on you. The behavior signals your cat is marking you as safe. In a way, that signifies it’s a sign he trusts you.
He will meow at you
Adult cats only meow at humans, not at other cats, as the ASPCA reported. As a kitten, your furry probably meowed at his mother to let her know he was cold or hungry. However, once cats grow out of the kitten phase, they no longer meow at other cats. But they continue to meow at some people — probably because meowing gets them what they want. Your cat will also meow at you to greet you, to get your attention, to ask for food, or to be let in or out.
He will choose you over food
Not every cat owner in the entire world can envision their kitty choosing attention over a meal. However, researchers have found given a choice, many cats will pick human companionship over food, toys, and appealing smells.
More evidence that cats truly do love their people more than food? They don’t even hold grudges if you limit their food. Even if you don’t experiment on your pet, you can probably notice signs your cat loves you for more than your skill with the can opener or your generosity with the treat bag. If your cat pays attention to you, and not just the food in your hand, that’s one such sign your kitty actually loves you.
He chooses to sleep on your lap
Cats have a well-known reputation as champion nappers. They sleep an average of 15 hours each and every day. And though it may not exactly be a surprising sign of their affection for you, you can rest assured that a cat who decides to sleep in your lap is expressing his love for you. Cats typically choose to sleep in a safe and secure location. So if your kitty sleeps in your lap he definitely trusts you.
He will respond to the routines you create for him
Even though your kitty doesn’t have the same social skills as a dog, domestic cats truly do want to bond with their humans. Both you and your kitty have to work to understand one another. And the best ways to bond closer with your cat include petting, playing, and food.
You may also create routines you repeat each time you come and go from your home. You should most definitely goodbye to your cat when you leave. And then say hello when you come home again. Cats absolutely don’t need hours and hours of hands-on time with you each day. Just be sure you give your cat some quality time to bond with you each day.
Your kitty just acts like a cat
Just by being a cat, your kitty actually uses thousands of years of instinct to interact with you. The Atlantic reported compared to many other animals, cats have changed only a bit in the domestication process. Cats domesticated themselves back about 9,500 years ago.
And though they still may not be totally dependent on humans, they certainly so seem to appreciate the way their owners tolerate their egotistical ways and indulge their more idiosyncratic behaviors. As The Atlantic noted, they pretty much actually tamed themselves — which means in your kitty’s estimation, humans may actually be “cat’s best friend.”