How do cats express affection?

Cats have a reputation for being cold and aloof, casual, indifferent and sometimes even haughty. This is particularly obvious when compared to dogs, which show their feelings towards their owners and other people in a clear, easy to understand and obvious way. Despite this, cats are masters at giving subtle cues to express their affection and cat love for the people in their lives, including meowing or rubbing their heads.

It's often mistakenly believed that dogs are more affectionate than cats, and it's easy to see why. A dog can practically trip over its tail to get to the door and give you a wet kiss or lick your face as soon as you get home, but to communicate its enthusiasm and energy, a cat will at best give you a furtive glance. before meowing at his bowl asking you to refill it. Even if a cat doesn't wag its tail when its owner comes home (be careful, because if it does, it's usually because it's angry), the truth is that cats feel anger too. affection towards humans and express their love in more subtle ways that are hard to pin down.

Your cat is relaxed in your presence

Do you sometimes feel like your cat doesn't even notice you exist? He may be relaxing somewhere in the house or wandering from room to room, rarely stopping to give you a mocking look. This behavior leads some owners to believe that their cat is indifferent, does not like their company or does not need them. They may even think that their cat enjoys its solitude, but this is not the case. Cats are more comfortable exploring their surroundings if they feel relaxed around you. So, if your cat tends to constantly move around the house, it may be a sign – however subtle – that he enjoys your presence so much that he feels comfortable enough to explore his world.

A token of affection: the tail does not lie

Your feline may also express its feelings towards you with its body language. Your cat's tail is a barometer of his state of mind and it is very important to pay attention to it to know his feelings, especially with regard to his affection.

The way your cat holds its tail betrays its feelings. To express affection, your cat uses its tail and its body. If his tail is up, he's very happy, and if the tip of his tail is curled up, he's very happy to see you. He can squeeze between your legs or just sit close enough to you that his tail can touch you if he wags it. What is the best proof that your cat loves you and trusts you? When he shows his belly to be petted. If your cat feels comfortable enough to let you rub his tummy, that means you are the person he cares about and he likes you very much.

The vocal expression of feelings in your cat

Obviously, cats don't speak your language, but they can use vocal expressions to show their affection towards people who are important to them. So while you'll never hear a cat say "I love you," it uses its vocal expressions to show its affection. For example, cats purr to indicate that they are happy or satisfied. You probably already know that cats often purr when they're around a loved one, especially when being petted or brushed. However, cats don't always purr to indicate they're having a good time. Your cat will purr to let you know he likes what you're doing, whether it's petting him or giving him one of his favorite treats. So while vocal expressions can mean "keep going, simple human," cats also use them to tell you that they accept you, or in other words, that they love you.

Feeling greetings

Some cats, but not all, can greet their owner cheerfully as soon as the door opens or the key enters the lock. In fact, some cats may happily rush for the door every time it opens just to say, “Welcome home! I'm glad to see you again!" letting out happy meows.

Eye contact is a reward

They say the eyes are the window to the soul, and when your cat looks deep into your eyes, it's to express affection. A long, lingering stare without blinking can look aggressive if it comes from a gorilla. When your cat does this, it's to try to tell you that you're the apple of their eye. Cats make eye contact only with people they love. They can also give "kisses" with their eyes. When your cat looks at you with half-closed eyelids and blinks slowly several times, that's a very original way to give you a kiss. Return the favor by imitating his gesture.

Bites and kicks

Your cat isn't trying to hurt you when it bites or kicks you, although it does occasionally happen. It's another way for him to tell you he loves you. Wading or kneading motions are also learned behavioral gestures of affection that kittens use to massage their mother's belly when nursing.

Head and cheek rubbing

In conclusion, social behaviors like cheek and head rubbing help cats bond and express affection towards humans and other animals. These behaviors also allow cats to leave their scent mark, essentially to claim you as their loved ones.

When it comes to expressing affection, some cats come across as cold, impersonal, unsympathetic, and sometimes even aloof. Despite this, there are many hidden signals that betray their true feelings. By knowing them, you will be able to better understand the behavior of your cat.