Ever wondered if your furry feline really sees you as more than just a food dispenser? While cats have earned a reputation for being aloof and independent, the truth is they’re capable of forming incredibly deep bonds with their humans. Your cat might already be showing you signs that they consider you their best friend, though these signals can be pretty subtle compared to dogs.
Understanding these behaviors can help you realize just how special your relationship with your cat truly is. When you learn to speak their language, you’ll discover that your cat has been telling you they love you all along.
The Slow Blink Kiss of Love
When your cat looks at you and slowly closes their eyes for a second or two, they’re giving you what’s often called a “cat kiss.” Cats slow blink at you to express that they trust you. A feline slow blinking means that they are happy and feel loved. This behavior is incredibly significant because it makes cats vulnerable in the wild, where closing their eyes could mean missing a predator.
In the feline world, closing their eyes in the presence of another creature makes them vulnerable, as they are unable to detect potential threats. So when your cat slow blinks at you, they’re essentially saying they trust you completely with their safety. You can even slow blink back at them to strengthen your bond and show that you feel the same way.
Following You Like a Shadow
If your cat trails behind you from room to room, congratulations! They also tend to ‘follow’ their owners from room to room, albeit sometimes at a distance. This shadowing behavior shows they genuinely enjoy your company and want to be part of whatever you’re doing. While some cats prefer to maintain a bit of distance, the fact that they choose to be near you speaks volumes.
This following behavior is different from dependency or neediness. Instead, it reflects a cat’s desire for companionship with someone they truly trust. If your cat is clingy and always wants to be around you, then that’s a strong sign they’ve imprinted on you. They’ll follow you around the house, make noises at you, sleep with you, and just generally be obsessed with you. Think of it as your cat choosing to spend time with their favorite person.
Head Bumps and Face Rubs
Those gentle head bonks your cat gives you aren’t just random acts of clumsiness. By marking you, a cat is connecting to you through scent and bonding with you. When cats rub their heads, cheeks, or even their entire body against you, they’re depositing pheromones from scent glands located in these areas.
Cats use these scents to identify family members. So, when your cat rubs their cheek against your leg, gives you a head-butt, or weaves figure-eights around your legs, they’re saying you’re family now. This behavior is like your cat putting their signature on you, claiming you as their own special person. It’s one of the most direct ways cats show ownership and affection toward someone they consider family.
The Happy Paws Kneading Ritual
When your cat settles on your lap and starts rhythmically pushing their paws against you, they’re engaging in what’s called kneading or “making biscuits.” Grown cats tend to knead when they are around a special person that makes them feel safe and loved. They will often knead their human’s chest, side, or lap. This behavior stems from kittenhood when they kneaded their mother’s belly to stimulate milk flow.
Cats kneading on or around you is actually a very positive thing for them to do – it means they feel as safe and relaxed around you as they did with their own mothers. The fact that adult cats continue this behavior with their favorite humans shows they associate you with the ultimate comfort and security they felt as babies. It’s honestly one of the sweetest compliments a cat can give.
Purring in Your Presence
While cats purr for various reasons, the content rumbling they make when they’re relaxed around you is a clear sign of affection. The steady and loud rumble that cats emit as they inhale and exhale air, is closely associated with contentment. But a loud purr when you are near, is one of the signs a cat likes you. This vocalization is something cats save primarily for positive interactions.
While they are kneading, they purr – one of them gets so relaxed, he sometimes drools. Kneading usually occurs near a favorite person. The combination of purring with relaxed body language tells you that your cat genuinely enjoys being in your company. Think of it as their way of saying they’re perfectly happy with the current situation, especially when you’re part of it.
Choosing Your Lap for Naptime
If your cat regularly chooses to sleep on or near you, consider yourself honored. Sleeping on you: A sure sign that your cat likes and trusts you, is if they climb onto your lap for a snooze. Cats choose to have their catnaps in safe places, like high up on a shelf, because they can feel vulnerable – so if they curl up on your lap for a snooze they obviously feel a strong trusting bond with you.
Cats are naturally cautious about where they sleep because they become vulnerable during rest. When they choose you as their sleeping spot, they’re demonstrating ultimate trust in your ability to keep them safe. Bonded cats often sleep in the same space or cuddle up together, finding comfort and security in each other’s presence. If you spot your cats regularly napping together, it’s a good sign that they’re bonded! In this case, you’re being treated like another beloved cat.
Bringing You Special “Gifts”
When your cat presents you with their toys, leaves, or even the occasional mouse, they’re sharing their prized possessions with someone they care about deeply. This gift-giving behavior shows that your cat considers you important enough to share their treasures with you. While we might not always appreciate these offerings, especially the live ones, it’s truly meant as a gesture of love and inclusion in their social circle.
This behavior often extends to showing you their favorite hiding spots or leading you to places that are important to them. Your cat is essentially saying “I want to share my world with you” by bringing you into their special spaces or sharing their valued items.
Seeking You Out for Attention
Cats who are attached to their humans will solicit attention from them by approaching them (often with a tail held straight up), meowing or pawing at them, etc. When your cat actively seeks you out for pets, play, or just companionship, it shows they genuinely want to interact with you rather than simply tolerating your presence.
A bonded cat will actively seek you out for affection, whether it’s rubbing against you, tapping you with their head, or even grooming you. This attention-seeking behavior is different from demanding food or necessities. Instead, it’s your cat choosing to engage with you because they enjoy your company and the emotional connection you share.
The beautiful truth about cats is that their affection must be earned rather than expected. When you recognize these signs in your feline friend, you’ll realize that you’ve successfully built a genuine friendship based on mutual trust and respect. Your cat truly does see you as their best friend, and honestly, isn’t that one of the greatest compliments you could receive? What do you think about it? Tell us in the comments.
