Introduction
For cat owners, understanding how cats communicate with humans is crucial for building a strong bond and relationship. Cats have a reputation for being aloof and independent, but there are multiple ways felines demonstrate affection and try to tell their owners that they like them. Though they may express themselves differently than dogs, cats are still social creatures who seek connection with their humans. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), 38% of U.S. households, or 38.4 million families, own cats. [1] With so many pet owners living with cats, being able to recognize the subtle signs cats use to say “I love you” allows people to better meet their pet’s emotional needs and strengthen their mutual bond.
[1] https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/reports-statistics/us-pet-ownership-statistics
Body Language
Cats use body language including tail movements, ear positions, and eye dilation to communicate their feelings. When a cat is happy to see you, they may greet you with an upright tail that quivers excitedly. Their ears will be erect and rotated towards you to show interest and attention. Cats may also dilate their pupils wide to indicate arousal and affection when looking at owners they really like. According to The Definitive Guide to Cat Behavior and Body Language, slow blinking shows that a cat feels relaxed and trusts you.
Vocalizations
Cats use a variety of vocalizations to communicate with humans. This includes sounds like purring, chirping, and trilling.1 Purring is one of the most well-known cat vocalizations and generally signals contentment, though cats may also purr when they are stressed or sick as a self-soothing mechanism.2 Chirping and trilling are higher-pitched vocalizations that cats often use to greet trusted humans. If your cat trills or chirps when they see you, it shows they are happy to have your company.
Scent Marking
Cats have scent glands all over their bodies, including on their paws, cheeks, tail, and chin https://catbehaviorassociates.com/how-cats-use-scent-communication/. When a cat rubs against you, furniture, or other objects, it is depositing pheromones from these glands to mark its territory and spread its scent. This is known as bunting. Bunting spreads the cat’s scent and mixes it with the scents of its family and environment, letting other cats know that this area belongs to that cat. It is a social and territorial behavior. When a cat bunts against you, it is mixing your scents together and marking you as part of its family and territory. This can be a sign that the cat is bonding with you and feels comfortable around you.
Cats also have scent glands in between their paw pads https://www.texvetpets.org/article/feline-scent-marking-cat-communication/. When a cat kneads or scratches against you, it is spreading its scent onto you. Again, this mixes your scent with the cat’s own scent and indicates that the cat feels a social attachment towards you.
Grooming
One of the most common ways cats show affection to their owners is through grooming behaviors like licking and head bunts. Just like mother cats lick their kittens to bond with them, cats will lick their owners as a social gesture. According to WebMD, a cat’s licks are “like a handshake or a hug” and signify that the cat feels a social attachment. Licking stimulates the release of endorphins, so both the cat giving the licks and the human receiving them can feel pleasure and bonding.
Cats will often lick their owners’ hands, face, and even hair as a sign of affection. Some cats take grooming even further and try to chew or pull out their owner’s hair, similar to how they overgroom themselves when stressed, according to The Spruce Pets. While this may seem painful or annoying, it still indicates that your cat feels a close social connection and views you as part of its family group.
Another common feline greeting is the head bunt, where a cat rubs or bumps its head against you. Cats have scent glands on their head, face, and tail, so bunting spreads their scent and mixes it with yours to create a shared family scent. When your cat head bunts you, it is marking you as someone they care about and feel a social bond with.
Play
When cats are in a playful mood, they will display energetic behavior like chasing toys around or gently biting in a playful manner. This is a sign your cat is excited, happy, and wants to interact with you. According to WebMD, playfulness in cats involves “a lot of energy” and your cat may start “stalking you around the house” to encourage playtime. Cats also like to play-attack or deliver gentle bites while playing – this mimics their hunting behavior. As explained by Reader’s Digest, “A playful cat is a happy cat who’s in a particularly good mood.” So when your cat starts energetically chasing cat toys or batting them around, it means they are feeling upbeat and want to spend time playing with you.
Food Gifts
One of the most notable ways cats show affection is by bringing their owners “gifts” of food. This behavior comes from their natural hunting instincts. In the wild, mother cats will bring home dead or injured prey to teach their kittens how to eat meat and fend for themselves.
Domestic cats retain this instinct and will proudly present their captured prey to their owners as a gift, or a sign of their bond and affection. It’s their way of trying to share resources with you. Common “gifts” include mice, birds, lizards, and other small animals.
While well-intentioned, this habit can be unpleasant and unhygienic for owners. The most effective response is to show appreciation for the gesture, while immediately removing the dead animal. Gently discouraging the behavior may curb future incidents.
This habit is especially common in outdoor cats who have ample opportunities to hunt. Keeping your cat stimulated with interactive play can satisfy their predation needs. It’s also wise to monitor their time outdoors when this becomes a frequent issue.
So while a dead mouse on your doorstep may not seem like an ideal present, it actually signifies your cat sees you as family and wants to provide for you. Just be sure to dispose of the gift discreetly.
Sources:
https://www.purina.co.uk/articles/cats/behaviour/common-questions/why-do-cats-bring-you-dead-animals
https://www.thesprucepets.com/cat-hunting-gifts-553946
Kneading
One way cats show affection is through kneading and suckling with their front paws. When cats knead, they rhythmically press in and out with their paws, often while suckling on a blanket or their owner’s clothing. This kneading behavior originates from when kittens would knead their mother’s belly to stimulate milk flow while nursing. Adult cats continue to knead when feeling content as it brings back comforting memories of nursing during kittenhood. Kneading can be a sign that your cat feels safe, happy, and bonded with you [1]. Many cats will knead their owner’s lap or chest while purring and suckling on their clothing. Your cat sees you as a source of comfort and security when it kneads you with its paws. The kneading action also allows cats to mark you with the pheromones between their paw pads, essentially claiming you as their own [2].
Sleeping Near You
One of the most obvious signs your cat likes you is when they choose to sleep right next to or on top of you https://yourcatbackpack.com/blogs/tips/why-cats-like-sleeping-with-owners. Cats are most vulnerable when sleeping, so when they curl up in your lap or next to you in bed, it shows they feel safe and secure in your presence https://www.newsweek.com/why-do-cats-like-sleep-their-owners-1672733. Your cat sleeping on or near you is a sign of trust, companionship and affection.
Cats also enjoy the warmth from your body and the soothing sound of your breathing, which helps them relax and fall asleep. The rhythmic rise and fall of your chest as you breathe is comforting. Sleeping together meets your cat’s needs for warmth and security while allowing them to feel close to their beloved human.
Conclusion
In summary, cats have a variety of ways to communicate that they like you. By understanding cat body language and vocalizations, paying attention to scent marking and grooming behaviors, and noticing when your cat plays with you, brings food gifts, kneads, and sleeps near you, you can gain insight into how your feline friend feels about you. Recognizing these signs of cat affection is important for building a strong bond and relationship. When you understand how to “speak cat,” you can provide your pet with the best possible care and enjoy the rewards of a loving companionship.