Cats have a reputation for being aloof and independent. But if you live with a cat, you know they show love in ways that are subtle, strange, and incredibly endearing. Here are 10 scientifically-backed signs your cat is deeply attached to you.
1. The Slow Blink
When your cat looks at you and slowly closes their eyes, they are giving you a cat kiss. Research from the University of Sussex confirmed that cats slow-blink more at their owners than at strangers. It is a sign of trust and affection.
2. Head Bunting
When your cat rubs their head against you, they are marking you with their scent glands. This is their way of saying you belong to their family. It is the feline equivalent of putting your arm around someone.
3. Showing Their Belly
A cat exposing their belly is showing ultimate vulnerability. While this does not always mean they want a belly rub (many cats will bite if you try), it does mean they feel completely safe around you.
4. Following You Around
If your cat follows you from room to room, they are not just being nosy. They want to be near you. Cats are territorial animals, and you are part of their territory.
5. Kneading (Making Biscuits)
This behavior starts in kittenhood when kittens knead their mother to stimulate milk flow. When an adult cat kneads you, they are expressing comfort and contentment at their most primal level.
6. Purring Near You
While cats purr for many reasons (including pain and stress), purring while sitting on your lap or next to you is a clear sign of contentment and bonding.
7. Bringing You Gifts
Whether it is a toy mouse or an actual mouse, when your cat brings you prey, they are treating you as family. In the wild, mother cats bring prey to their kittens to teach them hunting skills.
8. Sleeping on or Near You
Cats are most vulnerable when sleeping. Choosing to sleep on your bed or next to you means they trust you to protect them.
9. Grooming You
If your cat licks your hand or face, they are treating you as another cat in their social group. Allogrooming (social grooming) is a bonding behavior reserved for close relationships.
10. The Tail Up Greeting
When your cat walks toward you with their tail held high and the tip slightly curved, they are saying hello in the friendliest way a cat can. This greeting is reserved for cats and humans they trust.
Your cat loves you more than they let on. They just speak a different language.
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