7 Ways Cats Say They Love You
Cats love their owners and they have different ways of showing it. They feel safe and loved when they are near people they can trust. This is why they tend to express emotions with their special human the same way they would do with other members of the feline family. However, cats express their affection more subtly, but it doesn’t mean the emotional bond is any less strong than that of other pets.
So how do cats show affection exactly? It’s always different! You may not expect them to run and jump into your arms the moment you open the door just like the way dogs do. As compared to cats, dogs have more explicit ways of expressing emotions because they evolved to be more social. On the other hand, cats are naturally solitary animals who don’t like hanging outside their family unit.
Just because cats don’t wag their tails and greet you with slobbery kisses doesn’t mean they don’t feel any love for you. Therefore, you must learn how cats say “I love you” in order to appreciate them. There is no better way to tell that a cat is showing some love other than by establishing a very strong bond with your pet.
7 Ways Cats Show Affection
- Eye Contact
Cats can stare intently for long periods, but when they blink slowly at you, then it means they are showing affection. It’s more like they’re telling you they trust you and feel more comfortable and relaxed when you’re around. So, don’t be alarmed when your cat is intently staring at you. Most people often think it’s a threat, but in the real sense, they are trying to express love.
- Head Butts
Cats sometimes rub their heads on you to express affection. Head butts or bunting are social behaviors that cats learn from when they are young. It’s a way in which cats build bonds with other members of the feline family. They also head butt to mark territory on objects or items they love. So, they extend this act to humans to let them know they are loved.
- Hunting and Gifting Presents
Cats are carnivores by nature and they often share their prey with those they love. This can be the fresh dead remains of a mouse or a rat. It’s one of the hardest parts to try not to offend your cat by not accepting their gifts, but still, they deserve praise because they wouldn’t do so if they didn’t love you. It’s also their way of returning favors and showing gratitude to you for feeding them all the time.
- Vocalization
Cats meow or purr for many reasons. They do so when excited or upset. However, chances are that your cat is happy and content if he purrs while you’re petting him. Cats cannot say “I love you” so they use vocalization to communicate their emotions. By purring, your cat is trying to let you know that he is enjoying their bonding time with you and that you shouldn’t stop whatever you’re doing to him, be it stroking or grooming.
Cats also meow to get your attention, but when they meow every time you enter the door, then it means they’re trying to show affection. They rush to the door to meet you with a lot of meowing as if they are saying they missed you and are happy to see you.
- Bellies Up
Cats often expose their abdomens to show submission. It’s one of the highest forms of trust. Your cat strongly believes you won’t hurt him when he bellies up. Revealing his undercarriage means your cat feels completely comfortable in your presence and he loves you enough to leave himself vulnerable. However, he is not trying to tell you to rub his stomach!
- Kneading
Kittens instinctively knead their mothers to help keep the milk flowing. Sometimes older cats will do the same- but to you! It’s a way of saying they love you. So, consider it a distinct expression of adoration when your cat kneads on you.
- Grooming
Cats naturally love grooming. They spend most of their time grooming themselves and their fellow cat housemates. It’s a way of bonding with their family members. Cats extend this affection to their owners.
They lick the skin or hair of their favorite people. Even if you don’t have fur like their fellow counterparts, your cat will still settle on your lap and use his tongue to lick you the same way he does to his fur. This is the ultimate gesture that he feels safe around you. In other cases, cats may also nibble or suck their owner’s clothing to show affection.
Why They Do These Things
Cats often do these things for shelter, warmth, and food, and sometimes all they want to show you is appreciation and love. Your cat’s purrs, grooming, gifting, kneads, eye contact, and headbutts are all tokens of affection and friendship.
So, let’s face it and admit it, we often tend to crave such acts even more than the kitty does. So, it’s important that we provide our cats with lots of attention and love in return. Cuddling is a perfect way to bond with your cat, and while doing so, you can massage him using a Petkit Everclean Pet Massage Comb to relax him more.
Some cats bond with their humans less than others. So, they must be socialized from a young age like before eight weeks old. Entice your cat with toys like Kong Play Spaces SeaQuins Snuggle from when they are young so that they can be able to explore and grow into affectionate adults.
Regardless of how your cat expresses his affection towards you, always make sure you show your love and care for them by keeping him healthy and happy.