You’ve probably caught yourself wondering if your cat actually likes you. They walk past without so much as a glance, ignore your attempts at cuddles, or give you what feels like a death stare across the room. It’s easy to interpret these moments as signs of indifference or even disdain. The truth is, your feline friend might be showering you with love in ways you simply don’t recognize yet.
Cats have their own unique language of affection, one that’s worlds apart from the enthusiastic tail wagging and slobbery kisses we’ve come to expect from dogs. Their gestures are subtle, sometimes even perplexing, leaving many devoted cat owners feeling a bit rejected. What if those seemingly aloof behaviors are actually your cat’s way of saying they adore you? Let’s dive into the fascinating world of feline communication and discover what your cat has been trying to tell you all along.
The Slow Blink That Feels Like Indifference
When your cat offers you a slow blink, it’s actually a gesture of trust and love, showing they feel comfortable enough to close their eyes in front of you. Think about it from a survival perspective. In the wild, closing your eyes around anyone or anything is risky business. It means you’re vulnerable.
So when your cat sits across the room and gives you that long, drowsy blink, they’re not spacing out or ignoring you. This gesture shows huge contentment, and you can try kissing back by mirroring the same action to strengthen your bond even further. I find it amazing how something so simple carries such weight. Next time your cat gives you those sleepy eyes, return the gesture and watch their reaction.
Following You Everywhere Including the Bathroom
Many pet parents find it odd that their cats follow them everywhere, even right into the bathroom, but this just means your cat wants to spend more time with you and feels comfortable around you. It can feel intrusive when you’re trying to get a moment of privacy, and honestly, it seems a bit much at times.
Your cat isn’t being clingy or needy in a negative way. If your cat follows you from room to room and it’s not feeding time, they want to be close to you, kind of like your own fluffy little shadow. This behavior shows genuine attachment and a desire for companionship. They’ve chosen you as their favorite person, and that’s something worth appreciating, even if it means never closing the bathroom door again.
Presenting Their Backside in Your Face
This has to be one of the most misunderstood behaviors. Your cat hops onto your lap, purrs for a moment, then turns around and sticks their rear end directly in your face. It feels rude, maybe even insulting. Let’s be real, it’s not exactly pleasant.
When cats stick their rear end in your face, it may seem annoying or gross, but it’s actually a way for them to show love, as cats introduce themselves to other animals by sniffing their rear ends. In cat society, this is the equivalent of a friendly handshake or a warm hug. They’re treating you like another cat, which is the highest compliment in their world. Your cat is saying they trust you completely and consider you part of their inner circle.
Kneading You With Their Claws
Kittens knead when they suckle their mothers, and many adult cats keep the habit, enjoying a good knead involving their favorite person’s arm or lap. The problem is, those claws can hurt. What starts as a sweet moment can quickly become uncomfortable, especially if your cat gets really into it.
If your kitty gives you a massage with their paws, they are showing you affection in the same way they would do with their mum, which could be a greater sign of love. When your cat kneads you, they’re associating you with the warmth and safety they felt as a kitten. Some cats retract their claws while kneading, but if they don’t, you should generally still take it as a sign of a cat feeling love for you, albeit in between wincing a little. It’s hard to say for sure, but this might be one of the most genuine expressions of contentment your cat can offer.
Bringing You Dead Animals or Toys
You wake up to find a dead mouse on your doorstep, or maybe a mangled toy at the foot of your bed. It’s gross, and it can feel like your cat is trying to disturb you or make a mess. Some people even worry their cat is being aggressive.
Oftentimes, cats show their affection by leaving presents for their caregivers to find, and when your kitty brings you freshly caught prey, they’re actually offering you a delicious meal, meaning well as a sign that they care deeply for you. Your cat sees you as part of their family and wants to make sure you’re well fed. While it may not be the most pleasant gift for us humans, it’s a sign of affection and trust from your furry companion, their way of saying “I care about you”. Here’s the thing: your cat is sharing their hunting success with you because they value your presence in their life.
Staring at You Without Blinking
The intense stare of a cat can leave some feeling uneasy, but cats simply aren’t afraid to give eye contact to those they love, and when their eyes are fixated on you while snuggled up, this is their way of saying ‘I love you’. That unbroken gaze can feel intimidating or even creepy, especially in low light.
Yet this behavior is completely misunderstood. Eye contact is a huge factor in how cats show love, and whilst a long, lingering, unblinking stare might not seem like the friendliest of gestures to a human, cats only make eye contact with people they like and are even known to make “eye kisses”. When your cat locks eyes with you, they’re not challenging you or plotting something sinister. They’re expressing trust and affection in the most direct way they know.
Licking You With Their Rough Tongue
Between animals and in family groups, cats display affection with mutual grooming, and occasionally cats will extend this to humans by using their tongue to lick them as they would their own fur. That sandpaper tongue isn’t exactly comfortable, and sometimes it can feel like your cat is treating you like a scratching post.
Cats groom each other as a display of affection, and this behavior extends to humans when trust is built, with licking being similar to the grooming cats perform on their feline friends. When your cat licks your hand, face, or hair, they’re bonding with you and marking you with their scent. A lick from your cat often means that you are being claimed as the closest of friends, as kittens are cleaned by their mother’s tongue from an early age. I know it sounds crazy, but that rough, persistent licking is one of the most intimate gestures your cat can offer.
Ignoring You When You Come Home
You walk through the door after a long day, and your cat barely lifts their head from their cozy spot on the couch. No greeting, no acknowledgment, just continued napping. It’s easy to feel hurt or wonder if your cat even cares that you’re home.
Cats are more likely to explore and interact with their environment when they feel relaxed and comfortable in a person’s presence, so if your pet is often on the move while you’re with them, take it as a subtle sign of affection, as they are more comfortable in your presence. Your cat’s calm demeanor when you arrive home actually indicates they feel secure with you. They don’t need to frantically seek reassurance because they trust that you’ll always return. Honestly, this level of confidence in your relationship is quite touching once you understand it.
Weaving Between Your Legs While You Walk
If your cat constantly attempts to dance in between your legs, this is likely a sign of true love, as rubbing up against another individual is how cats show affection. It’s dangerous, especially when you’re carrying something or walking down stairs. You’ve probably tripped more than once because your cat decided to zigzag between your feet.
When your cat rubs against your arms or legs, they are leaving their scent on you, a behavior called bunting, which is a way to let other animals know that you belong to them. Your cat is essentially claiming you as their own and marking you with pheromones that say “this human is mine.” Often, when showing affection cats use their body and tail as a form of expression, sometimes by winding their way through your legs, with a very happy cat tail position being upright with a slight curve at the top. Think of it as your cat giving you a hug in the only way they know how.
Understanding these nine behaviors transforms how you see your relationship with your cat. What once seemed like coldness or indifference reveals itself as genuine affection expressed in a uniquely feline way. Your cat has been telling you they love you all along, you just needed to learn their language. Pay attention to these subtle gestures, and you’ll discover a depth of connection you might have been missing. What do you think about these surprising signs of cat affection? Have you noticed your own cat doing any of these things?
