17 Surprising Ways Your Cat Tells You “I Love You”
#7 You cat follows you around
Ever wondered why your cat follows you around, even at those times when he doesn’t really want you to pet him or pick him up? He may just want you to feed him. Or maybe he wants to know what you’re doing. However, VetStreet notes even cats who don’t appreciate physical attention seem to show their affection by staying near their owners. If your kitty follows you around, he’s probably saying he likes your companionship. Or at the very least, he’s trying to remind you his food bowl is empty.
#8 He holds his own tail the right way
Your cat’s tail will help you tell how he’s feeling. National Geographic reported you have to take your cat’s whole body into account when you judge what his tail is saying. On a calm cat, a tail held straight up with the tip hooked actually constitutes a friendly greeting. An aggressive kitty holding his tail the same way might just be holding his tail straight up. A fearful cat will have more of an arched back and a tail held up and puffed out. A quickly whipping tail on an alert cat can signal nervousness or even potential aggression. You should learn to pay attention to your cat’s tail, and you’ll learn to spot his most affectionate moods.
#9 Kitty purrs at the right time and place
One of the very best-kept secrets about cats is they don’t only purr when they’re happy. As Wired reported, nobody has determined for sure why cats purr. They actually seem to purr “when they’re pleased and feeling good. However, that’s not always the case.” The publication added, “Some cats also purr when they’re hungry, injured, or frightened.” You might notice your cat purring at odd times. But if he’s lying in your lap and purring contentedly? That’s a decent sign that he’s saying, “I love you.”
#10 Kitty rolls around on his back
Does your kitty ever roll around on his back, holding his paws up and exposing his belly? The Spruce reported that if so, your cat more than likely wants your attention. A cat exposing his belly is definitely signaling he trusts you. However, he might not want you to rub his tummy. (If you do, he may grab your hand and rabbit-kick until you manage to pull away.) Rolling around also helps your cat to spread his scent around your home. However, if you repeatedly see him stop, drop, and roll right in front of you, he’s probably telling you, “Pay attention to me!”
#11 He will lick your hand or face
Many cats actually lick their owners’ hands, arms, toes, or even their faces. But jut why do they do that? And is that some kind of display of affection? Animal Planet reported being licked is the first tactile experience your kitty remembers from his days as a kitten. “When your cat licks you, she’s cleaning you up and claiming you — just as she would for a feline friend or litter mate.”
Licking is actually comforting and soothing to a cat. So when your cat decides to lick you, he’s showing you his affection. Some cats may even take their grooming behaviors further, such as by “combing” their owners’ hair. Both licking and combing spread your cat’s scent, creating a combined scent that identifies you as a family.
#12 He will head butt you
When your fur-baby walks up to you and head butts you, you’re probably left wondering what he’s saying or what he wants. As VetStreet reported, the behavior, technically named bunting, appears both in domesticated cats and in their wild counterparts. Just like he does when he rubs his own face against your leg, your cat head butts you to deposit his pheromones on you. The behavior signals your cat is marking you as safe. In a way, that signifies it’s a sign he trusts you.
