Dog owners have it easy when it comes to working out what their pet is thinking: you can never be in any doubt whether your dog is happy, excited, scared, sad or guilty – every possible emotion is written clearly on their face and reflected in the way they behave. And when you come home and they jump up at you, try to lick your face, wag their tail and generally behave as though it’s the very best day they’ve ever had (again!), you can relax safe in the knowledge that they’re pleased to see you. They even do it when they’ve already been fed, which is even more gratifying!
If you’re a cat owner, on the other hand, you can never be entirely sure if your cat is looking at you with love, bare tolerance because you feed them, contempt, or whether they’re trying to work out just how many mouthfuls you’d make.
However, there are a number of things your cat does that give the game away, so this month we’re looking at a few signs that your cat loves you.
Purring
Purring is the most obvious sign that your cat is generally feeling positive about you and what’s going on in their life at that moment. Having said that, it’s not always an entirely selfless gesture (it never is with a cat, some might say); according to a 2009 study, cats can conceal within their purr sounds that appeal to your nurturing nature. Basically, they like what you’re doing and are encouraging you to carry on. The fact that it’s you they want to do it can be taken as a positive sign, although basically they’re just manipulating you.
Of course, cats also purr when they’re in pain – that’s because purring releases endorphins that help ease it – but it should be obvious when your cat is purring because they’re happy and when they’re not.
Staring & blinking
While the subject of purring is fraught with potential misinterpretations, most of the rest of the signs we’re going to talk about should be fairly clear. That’s certainly true for the way your cat looks at you. That stare may feel like they’re waiting for the right moment to attack, but in truth it means that they want your attention, even if it’s just because they want you to do something. Either way, they recognise how much they rely on you for their basic needs and appreciate you for it.
Even better is when that stare is punctuated by slow blinks, because that’s one of the best signs that they trust you and are happy to be with you. And if you do it back, they’ll know you feel the same way!
Head bunting
Head bunting is essentially head butting, but rather than being the feline equivalent of the ‘Glasgow kiss’, whether they do it to another cat or to you, it’s most definitely a sign that they see you as one of their own. Cats have scent glands all over, including their heads, and what they’re doing is simply transferring that scent to you. So they’re sort of marking their territory, but only because they like you. Rubbing their cheeks on you achieves the same goal.
Grooming you
You may not always appreciate it when your cat starts trying to lick you – especially if you’ve just been watching them licking themselves in parts of their body from which you wouldn’t want anything transferred – but try to understand that they only intend it as a sign of affection. If you have two cats, you’ll know that there’s nothing more heartwarming than seeing them curled up together with one grooming the other – even if it does usually end up in a fight of some kind!
Grooming them back will show them that you love them too, but rather than licking them – which really would be unhygienic – we’d recommend combing their fur. And don’t be too scared of getting a little rough while doing it because they’ll love it!
Showing their belly
This can be a signal that they trust you or it could be an indication that they want to play. If they lie there and let you rub them, it’s the former; if they try to savage your hand and wrist, it’s the latter.
Being with you
Just curling up close to you, walking with you around the house, resting their head or paws on you and generally spending quality time together should tell you that your cat likes being with you. Cats are not shy of doing their own thing when they want to be alone, so appreciate just how much time your cat actively wants to spend with you. Of course, if you never get to see your cat because they’re spending all day on your bed (or out) and all night downstairs on the sofa (or out), you might have a problem.
If you really want to show your cat how much you love them, why not take them to the cattery at Green Lane Farm Boarding Kennels for a holiday when you’re going to be away from home? Our experienced team is passionate about all pets and is committed to providing a home from home that will meet all their needs. With over 50 years in the business, we know a bit about keeping cats happy and understanding their body language.
Get in touch with us now to find out more or book a stay for your pet. We’re easily accessible for those living in and around Kingston and Chessington in Surrey.
