Unlike canines, cats are not known for their ability to show affection. Despite the lack of expressing their feelings, we still know that deep down, they care about us. Surprisingly, they show their love for us in more than one way. This exclusive list of behaviors explains incredible ways that our cats attempt to communicate their love for us. We consider the furry felines to not only be our pets, but also as part of our family. Here’s a list of 10 surprising ways your cat says “I Love You” using cat language.
1. Bringing you an occasional present to show their love for you.
If you are a cat owner, then you will be familiar with the occasional presents being gifted to you. Sometimes, it could be a toy, and sometimes, it could be a bird. While most cat owners don’t pay much attention to this behavior, it is actually your cat’s way of showing love. According to certified Animal Behavior Consultant Amy Shojai, “Cats love with gifting. Mighty hunter cats that catch everything from toys to bugs, mice or frogs, often share the bounty with those they love. Kitties who present you with this bounty deserve praise”. While it might seem odd, Shojai says, “They wouldn’t bring these special gifts if they didn’t love you”. So, next time you get a present, appreciate it. (source)
2. Bunting, which is also a way for your cat to leave their scent on you.
It might seem odd when a cat starts rubbing their head against you or another animal but they do it for a reason. The behavior, which is also known as bunting, isn’t a call to fight, but rather a sign of affection. When a cat feels like showing affection, they might rub their head or cheeks against you or an object. The process is also a way for your cat to leave his scent on you, marking their territory and letting other cats know that the human is already claimed. According to experts, the behavior is only exhibited when they love something or someone.
According to Mother Nature Network, “Cats have secret glands concentrated on certain parts of their bodies, including their cheeks and heads. When your kitty rubs her head or face against you, she’s marking you with her scent and claiming you as part of her family group”. (source)
3. By sleeping on you because they trust you to protect them.
Some might be surprised to hear that cats sleep anywhere from 12-16 hours a day. This is because they are crepuscular — which means that they are most active during the twilight hours of dawn and dusk. They tend to lay low in the darker night-time and day-time hours, when predators are most active. This is a way for them to ensure their survival. Even though domesticated cats don’t have to worry about predators, they still sleep for the same amount of time. Since they are most vulnerable when they are sleeping, they only choose a trusted place to rest their eyes. So, if your cat chooses you as their sleeping spot, this means that they trust you to protect them against all odds. (source)
4. Staring into your eyes and slowly blinking.
When cats look into our eyes and give us that stare, we often wonder what they are up to. However, it turns out that staring at you and slowly blinking is a way for them to show you great affection. According to Dr. Karen Becker, “This might be the display of cat love that is easiest for humans to understand. If your kitty first stares at you, then blinks, then opens his eyes wide, then slowly blinks a second time, he’s telling you he loves and trusts you”. Dr. Becker also states that this is an extreme sign of affection, which is equivalent of a kiss. Their eyes are also an important asset for their survival but also extremely vulnerable. When a cat places their face near a person and opens their eyes wide, they are expressing great trust and love. (source)
5. Meowing is a way to tell you that they love you.
Cats rarely meow to communicate with other cats. Typically, only kittens meow to their mothers and once they become adults, they stop exhibiting the behavior. If your cat meows to you, then you need to know that it is using the vocalizations for the sole purpose of establishing communication with you. There are four major categories of meows among cats and almost all of them are used to only initiate communication with humans. Meows are not just demands such as “let me out”, “let me in”, “pet me”, “play with me”, or “feed me”. The lower-pitched meows can be pestering at times but is a way by which your feline friend is telling you that they want to interact with you. (source)
6. Rolling on the ground means they are excited to see you.
When cats get excited when they see their beloved human, they sometimes roll around on the floor. Sometimes, they simply walk towards their favorite human, throw themselves in front of them and start rolling around. This behavior means that they want to play with you or that they want your attention. Experts suggest that by exposing their bellies, they are showing a sign of trust, that they are comfortable around the person. If they don’t feel safe and secure, they would never feel comfortable enough to expose their belly. In fact, only when they are at their most relaxed state do they exhibit this behavior. (source)
7. A tail held straight in the air means they are happy to see you.
A cat’s tail posture can say a lot about their affection for someone. For instance, when your cat holds their tail straight up in the air, it means that they are greeting you, since they are happy to have you in their presence. In fact, Dr. John Bradshaw, author of the book, “Cat Sense,” says this is “probably the clearest way cats show their affection for us”. A tail held upright with a curve at the tip like a question mark also indicates familiarity, friendliness and affection. Apart from that, the base of the tail is a spot that cats love to have their humans scratch. A cat that holds their rear end up in your face is also showing a sign of affection. According to experts, kittens exhibit this behavior and show their rear ends to their parents as a sign of respect. Adult cats continue the habit and show it to only their favorite humans. (source)
8. Scratching to leave visual marks of ownership.
We often assume that when a cat scratches something, they are simply sharpening their claws or trying to destroy the furniture. It however, turns out that they exhibit this behavior to also mark their territory. When your cat scratches something, they are leaving their scent as well. They have scent glands on the pads of their feet, which transfers the scent and lets other cats know that the place is claimed. You should pay attention to where your cat scratches the most since they only scratch at areas most important to them or is often associated with the owner. (source)
9. Following you from room to room to be always around you.
Kitty underfoot is a behavior most cats exhibit when they are too much in love with their owner. If they feel affectionate towards you, it might not be unusual for them to follow you from room to room, climb up on tables or places where they would be able to grab your attention. According to experts, cats do actually have an end goal in mind when they do this. They’re not just being playful, but are enjoying your company so much that they simply do not want to stay away from you. (source)
10. Purring, which is the most obvious and common way cats show their happiness and love for someone.
While a cat’s purr isn’t always an indication of love and happiness, they do purr when they express affection towards someone; especially when they are sitting on their lap. According to certified expert Amy Shojai, “Cats love with purrs. Her purrs can mean a variety of things, from delight to expressions of concern. And kitty purrs range from soft and subtle to Mack-truck loud”. Shojai also notes that “When your cat purrs in your presence, you can be sure she’s expressing her love for you”. (source)
