Do Cats Actually Feel Affection?
Do Cats Actually Feel Affection?
Cats are one of the most popular pets in America, but some people may wonder if cats actually feel affection? Despite the aloof nature of many felines, pet parents have long known that cats can show their love in ways that aren't always apparent.
Grooming behavior and subtle signals like a slow blink can tell you how much your furry friend loves you. Learn how to recognize these signs so you can know for sure.
1. Petting
Cats communicate affection through rubbing, nuzzling and grooming. These activities produce oxytocin, the hormone that boosts feelings of love and bonding.
Many cats enjoy petting, but others may become overstimulated or aggressive. To avoid this, it is important to pet slowly and only at times they are feeling relaxed.
2. Snuggles
Unlike dogs, cats often prefer to snuggle up close. This action creates physical intimacy and produces a hormone called oxytocin, commonly referred to as the love hormone.
They also like to rub their cheeks, which helps spread their scent. This behavior is a way of marking you as one of their own.
3. Kisses
While some humans might scoff at the idea of kissing, experts believe kisses can be an effective form of affection. They cause a burst of the hormone oxytocin, which has a positive impact on mental health and boosts bonding.
Rubs are another gesture that cats use to express their love for their humans. They rub their cheeks along your hand, which can be a cute way to bond with them.
4. Play
Cats use a variety of play behaviors to communicate to others. They might play with a ball or a toy, or they could simply be playing in your lap, showing their trust and affection towards you.
One way that cats can communicate their love is through their tails. When they hold their tail straight up and slightly tipped over it is a sign that they are feeling affectionate for you.
5. Meows
A cat's meows can be interpreted as an invitation to pet or play, but they're also a sign of stress, injury, or pain.
Female cats will meow and rub against anything they can reach to attract a mate during their mating season.
They might also swat at furniture or you for attention. If this happens, take your kitty to the vet right away.
6. Biting
There’s a long-held belief that cats are cold and unfeeling pets. But new research suggests that they actually form emotional bonds with their owners just like dogs do.
Cats can show affection in a variety of ways, including biting, rubbing and rubbing. While these behaviors shouldn’t be encouraged, they do reflect a desire to bond with you.
7. Eye contact
Eye contact is an incredibly powerful way to show interest, attraction, and intimacy in a relationship. It also shows that you are listening and open to the person’s intentions.
Researchers have found that prolonged eye contact releases phenylethylamine and oxytocin, two love chemicals that are closely associated with longer term bonding and commitment. It’s a simple yet effective action that anyone can master.
8. Sitting next to you
If you have a cat, you may have noticed that they love to rub against you or lay next to you. This is a very good indication that they like you and are comfortable around you.
It’s called head bunting and it’s a sign that they want to be petted. Be careful not to go too quickly when they head bunt, though — they may swat or bite at you.
9. Kneading
Kneading on soft surfaces is a cat's natural instinct and can be used for a variety of reasons. It's a way for cats to communicate their affection toward humans and is also a good sign that they are feeling comfortable and safe around you.
Another possible reason that cats knead is to mark their territory and warn other cats to back off. As cats have high numbers of scent glands in their paws, this can be an important way to mark a space as their own.
10. Purring
Purring is one of the most inscrutable sounds that cats make, and experts can't agree on exactly what it means.
It's hard to know why some cats purr all the time, while others purr only occasionally.
Cats might purr as a way of letting you know that they're happy around you. They might also purr when they're in a tense or anxious state, to let you know that they need your help or attention.
