Cats and Affection | How Cats Show Love
Cat Behavior | Does my cat like me?
Looking for signs that your cat loves you can be really difficult if you don't know what to pay attention to. This article will present to you some signs that your cat likes and loves you, and while you probably know some of them, there are some more subtle cat behaviors that you should keep an eye open to. So, have you ever wondered if your cat loved you?
Or at least liked you? Do you have any clue how to interpret your cat's behavior?
We all know that cats are a bit different than dogs, and it is a bit harder to tell what's going on with them at any time. Dogs are pretty transparent - they wag their tails, they look at you with their puppy eyes.. Well, you know what I am trying to say. If a dog loves you, you can tell.
But what about cats?
As a proud cat owner (there has never been a period of my life that I did not have a feline friend), I can tell you that it is much more difficult to tell with cats. You have to be able to pick up on very subtle things - such as the way your cat blinked at you, how long it stared into your eyes etc. I am not even kidding.
Cats are very cryptic beings. With their independent attitude, they can sometimes be a handful for anyone, especially if they are too mischievous and playful. But if your cat playfully scratches you, it still does not mean it doesn't like or even love you. So how can you tell? How can you recognize signs of cat affection?
This is what I think of the matter.
Photo credit: swanky / Foter / CC BY-NC-SA
Do you think your cat likes you?
If so, tell us how your cat shows love
Pretty sure it does.
Jack2205 says:
My Siamese cat is very affectionate. He thinks he's a dog.
RockinPicks says:
Usually at 4 in the morning when he wants food! But yes, he loves me a lot.
doodlebugtortie says:
as long as I have a can opener in my hand, yes, my 4 absolutely LOVE me!
Eh, you can never know with cats.
george-williams-3348390 says:
My wife has six cats, three bengals, a siamese and an egyptian, they tolerate me an I tolerate them...lol. Can anybody say "hairball"!
PinkstonePictures says:
They like you because you are the can opener :_)
malzeke says:
I have had several cats. I loved them but not so sure I felt much in return. I have had one cat in particular that I know appreciated me. He was the best cat I ever shared my home with.
Some signs that your cat likes you
In the next part I will talk about some specific cat behaviors that you should pay attention to and their meanings
Your cat is purring
Happy kitty, sleepy kitty, purr... purr... p... Wait!
This sign is widely misinterpreted by many of us. Most cat owners will tell you that if a cat purrs it is a sign that it is happy and a display of affection.
This does not have to be the case.
Cats will purr when they are in danger, when they are dying or even when they are in pain. So what does this mean? Purring of a cat can be compared to a smile, in one sense. You know how you have different grimaces? Well, a cat has many kinds of purring. You can smirk, smile menacingly, without meaning it etc. This is the same case.
A cat has a special purr reserved for affection, though, just like people have certain special smiles for special people. If you can pick up on this kind of purring (especially if the cat is rubbing on you), you can be pretty sure that your cat friend likes you.
Photo credit: Apogee Photography / Foter / CC BY-NC-ND
Are you a cat owner?
Cats coloring pages on Amazon:
Bringing things and dead animals to you
How do you find it in your heart to reject kitty's offerings?
No, this is not a threat, as popular jokes imply. If your cat finds something interesting and wants you to have it, you can consider it a gift.
A bit nastier scenario is when your kitten kills a mouse or a bird and brings it to you, especially if it manages to bring it into the house. But this is a sign that your cat likes you and is, in a way, bringing you a treat.
I'm sure you may have known about this one, though.
Well, if you haven't - you do now! Moving on...
Photo credit: Abdulmajeed Al.mutawee || twitter.com/almutawee / Foter / CC BY-NC-SA
Gifts for a cat
Does your cat like these toys?
Great cat toys for your feline friends!
Which one do you like the most? Vote up or down!
Do you think you own your cat, or your cat owns you?
Rubbing against you and holding eye contact
Is it stalking and plain pestering... Or love?
Next time you wake up and your cat headbutts you don't think this is because it is hungry. Okay, it probably is, but there is more to it. This is how cats show they're possessive of you.
Yep, you heard me. Cats have glands in their head that make some kind of oil that they use to mark what belongs to them. This is actually what they are doing to you.
Remember, human, you do not own your cat, it owns you.
But hey, at least it likes you.
Another important thing is the eye contact. Cats find eye contact extremely uncomfortable. So if your kitten looks into your eyes for a longer while and even shares a blink - it likes you very much!
Photo credit: Abdulmajeed Al.mutawee || twitter.com/almutawee / Foter / CC BY-NC-SA
Cool cat posters
Because honestly, who wants celebrity posters anymore...
Insisting to sit on you or lean against you
Are you adored or just super comfortable?
This is one of the biggest signs your cat really likes you. I mean, you cannot be the most comfortable thing in the entire house, right? What about that armchair? Or the cozy pillow?
When your cat chooses to feel your physical presence all the time it is a surefire sign it likes you that much that it would rather sit on your lap than anywhere else.
This is particularly important to pay attention to when you have guests. If your cat leaps into your lap as soon as a stranger arrives, you can bet it likes you - it's possessive of you.
Photo credit: andedam / Foter / CC BY-NC-SA
Do you make sure your cat is well-groomed? Do you have any grooming products?
Cat grooming products for your pet pals!
Which one do you like? Vote up or down!
Did you know about all of these signs?
Do you want to come back to this article later? Bookmark it!
Did you ever wonder how to raise a perfectly behaving cat?
Don't you just love it when a cat makes odd noises?
Here's a video just for laughs!
What did you think of this lens?
Did you perhaps notice some other quirks in your cat's behavior that you would like to share? Maybe a funny story involving your cat? We're all ears!
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Our cat is very loving. She makes it known that she has her favorite people and lets them pet her belly. If she doesn't like someone then she runs and hides.
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When a cat massages you it's a sign of love. It has to do with old kitten behavior. I know it's a good thing. Just not at 4 in the morning. My cat can't tell time. -
There are so many cat behaviors to interpret, but I think that you covered them all! I can defiantly relate to the part about bringing dead animals!
I had a cat that must have loved me dearly because he brought a dead rat to my bedroom (when I wasn't there.) I found the body of the rat placed perfectly on the center of my pillow and there was blood on my white bedroom furniture. However, I never did find the head! Later on, my cat came into the bedroom with his tail held high and a proud look about him. Of course, I didn't scold him for his gift but I also didn't praise him either - I didn't want any more of his "special" gifts! -
This is a very interesting lens. Learned more about cats, on how they react, thinks of you or something. Nice lens you got here. -
Thank you, I am glad you enjoyed this article, I enjoyed writing it. -
This is a very sweet page! Our kitty shows her affection pretty blatantly. She likes to roll around on top of her humans purring and drooling. ;) -
Our cat tears around the house in mad mode every time we feed him. He's a little sweetie though, and he does like sitting on laps. Blessed :) -
I think as long as we act as their servants, we'll be okay ;) -
Sometimes I find my outside cats are more friendly with me than my inside cats. -
They sometimes nibble on my big toe...hmmm. -
Hm...I'm sure that that is just another way to express cat love for you...or your toes. :)
Just kidding, as long as they do it gently without hurting you, it's a playful display of affection. -
I did not know that cats have a number of different purrs and I thought that I understood cats. Great information. -
Indeed they do. You can actually tell the difference between some purrs when you learn how to listen. I'm glad you found the information useful. -
lovely lens, i didn't know about the cat eye contact :) -
Thanks so much for this lens-I've always found cats much harder to read than any other animal-now I can change this. -
Really interesting lens. Thanks. -
Great lens. Definitely know my cat loves me... :) -
I learned something new about cats here. Thanks! -
Great lens! I have 2 cats. One is very gentle and cute and loves to play and be loved. He sleeps on top of me or in the crook of my arm and always wants to lie on my keyboard while I am working. The other cat is very different. He likes to show that he's in charge. He tells me when he wants to be petted and then tries to bite when he's had enough. I've had to learn to pick up on signs like sudden movements, a more aggressive tail swish and a change in purr. However, he can then come back within a second and start headbutting my hand again to be petted! -
Very nice lens. Cat behavior is so interesting. -
Cats are generally interesting to observe. :) -
When I had a kitty I knew he loved me very much. He was very possessive, always wanting to be physically close (including sleeping on me) -
Yes, yes, cats are very possessive when they like someone. :)
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In spite of all your arguments above, I can assure you that my Ginger does not like me! LOL She is 17 and cranky; I forgive her :D -
I think 17 year old cats are exceptions to all rules - your kitty is a veteran, so it has a special category! :)
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I loved this lens. -
I am glad you did.
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My furbaby died three days ago, so I am feeling the loss of him rather badly at the moment. I think this is my 2nd visit to your page, I think I must have got called away in the middle of my last visit. My cat used to vibrate his tail if he was particularly pleased or happy. If he wanted milk he would lick his lips at me, in a most hopeful manner. If we were slow fetching it he would do it several times. A large black cat who has now decided he wants to be mine is also doing the liplicking thing when he wants biscuits. Sadly two years ago I was told I'm allergic to cats, so now I have lost my furbaby I probably won't have another cat. -
I know exactly how you feel - my kitty died this summer because of severe pneumonia and there was nothing we could do for him. It was an agony for myself to lose him, he was THE perfect cat. Each one of them has their own quirks, and that is why it can be devastating when they leave us. They have their unique personalities, and show things in their own way - if you know how to observe them properly!
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I'm a HUGE cat lover, and am happy to find out they all love me ;) Really enjoyed the info, learned quite a bit! -
Thank you, I am happy that you learned more about cat behavior. Glad you enjoyed it!
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I only have a dog now but I used to have cats. I had one that particularly liked me, in fact I think she thought I was her mother because she was possessive and would even groom my hair and eyebrows when I was asleep. It was a quick way to wake me up actually. Great page with really interesting information. -
Cats are rather possessive, I agree. Especially when there is a stranger around you. But if your cat groomed you, there is little doubt she adored you! Thank you for your wonderful feedback.
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I learned a lot about cats, since I don't own one and just spend time with my niece's. I will try to pay more attention on signs :) -
Observing cats is fun if you ask me, regardless of what signs they show at the moment. :)
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I love how independent cats are. We don't have one at the moment. Maybe soon. -
Cats have that independence deeply rooted, but they can be wonderful companions if you pay attention to them (on their terms, of course). You can notice how possessive they are easily. You should definitely get a cat if you can, they are unpredictable and fun to be around!
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unfortunately I'm allergic to cats .. I love them so much though, they are adorable! -
Oh, I'm sorry for that. That must be tough, if you like them and would want to have a cat.
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Kitty has me trained to get up at 5:30 or 6:00 whether I want to or not, she wants her "Fancy Feast" now! although she has two bowl full of 3 kind of dried cat food...yep, she had me trained. Then I thought hmmm, this could work in the opposite, so when she tried getting me up by pawing my face and staring me down, I decided to use the NO word and kept on sleeping. She settled down until I got up. But being the sucker that I am, I still get up occasionally at 5:30 am...feral Kitty is the smartest cat that has even "owned me."
~d-artist Squid Angel Blessing~ -
Cats are smart like that, and you cannot resist giving them what they want. I suppose that's the charm of it - an irresistible creature! But, in return, we get their own special attention, and I thought it was a good idea to emphasize how cats lavish us with their own special love, so that it does not go unnoticed! Thank you for the blessing, I appreciate it very much!
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I love all animals and cats are one of them. Great lens. Thanks for sharing especially the photos they are very cute.
Blessed. -
Oh, thank you for the blessing, I am so happy you enjoyed my lens!
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At age 56, I have just got my first cat and he's great. -
I'm sure he is! Cats generally are. :)
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I think my cat must like me, as she sits on my lap sometimes, and gives headbuts occasionally. She was a stray when I found her in the street, and she's not the most trusting cat in the world. Nice lens. -
Oh, she definitely likes you in that case! Thanks for the feedback, I really appreciate it!
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This is great information, I like them very much. :) -
Happy you do, it means a lot to me!
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Fun lens. I love my kitties. I know they love me, too. -
Thanks! Kitties are awesome!
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And My -
I wish I had a cat. I had one when I was a child, but I'm allergic now. :- -
That's too bad, they are bundles of joy!
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Aren't cats wonderful? Enjoyed your lens! -
Cinna 1 Dec 21, 2012 @ 3:09 am | deleteI happpily co exist with 2canines and my sweet cat who is the head of our household. Midnite reigns supreme as she puts our 90lb irish setter in his place. When people come to visit she is in my lap deciding if they can stay .,she is wonderful we love her bunches! -
Oh, she definitely loves you if she sits in your lap when you have visitors!
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Cats own us for sure, squidliked and pinned -
Thank you, I am very happy and also thank you for pinning this lens!
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I have 2 cats, each with their own distinct personality, but both definitely own us! -
Tell me about it. They will eventually rule this world. :)
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All that and maybe another sign: she comes to me in bed or when I sit on the couch, she comes to sleep in my lap. -
Your cat definitely likes you very much if she does that. No doubt about it!
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This is a really wonderful lense. -
Thank you, I am happy you think so!
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I used to have cats and they did all these things,cats definitely own us :) -
very informative!!! my friend's car likes to sit on my lap instead of his own master. awwwwww.. that is sweet! -
Oh, it appears that it likes you more! :)
I am glad you liked the lens, thank you! -
You are a very sensitive person owned by a cat.
Squid Angel Blessed! -
Thank you very much! I am very happy you enjoyed reading this and thank you for the blessing, it means a lot to me that you find this lens worthy of that. :D
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I love cats, nice article! -
Thank you, I am glad you liked it!
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This lens was a lot of fun. By the way, we have cats that like to climb up onto our chests and sleep on us while we are sleeping. I have photo evidence! -
Oh they tend to do that. Sometimes I wake up with a cat right in my face. But I don't mind them. :)
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