Felines have accompanied humans for thousands of years, providing companionship and sometimes bewildering their owners with mysterious behavior. While cats are often labeled as aloof, they can form strong attachments and view their humans as family. It’s critical to understand their behavioral cues to recognize how they perceive their relationship with us. Here are nine signs your cat thinks you’re family.
Rubbing and Headbutting
When a cat rubs its body or head against you, it’s demonstrating affection. This behavior, known as bunting, involves the cat depositing pheromones from scent glands located around its head. This scent marking signifies that the cat considers you part of its group or territory, much like it would treat a family member in the wild.
Bringing You “Gifts”
Cats are natural hunters, and if yours often brings you “gifts” like rodents or insects, it could indicate that it sees you as part of its family. In the wild, cats bring prey to their group members, including their young, as a display of trust and care. Although inconvenient, this habit implies your cat is including you in its circle.
Purring and Kneading
Purring is generally a sign of contentment and comfort. When your cat purrs in your presence, it indicates that it feels safe and relaxed around you. Kneading, which involves pushing its paws against a soft surface (perhaps your lap), harks back to kittenhood behaviors and is another sign your cat feels at home with you.
Following You Around
Despite their independent nature, cats may demonstrate attachment by trailing their owners from room to room. A cat that frequently follows you is likely showing that it enjoys your company and considers you an important figure in its family structure.
Mirroring Your Habits
Does your cat mimic certain behaviors or align its schedule to yours? This can include sleeping when you sleep or showing interest in your daily activities. By mirroring these activities, your cat is indicating a strong social bond, as it would with members of its feline family.
Sitting Close or on Top of You
When a cat chooses to sit next to you or even on you, it’s a clear indication of trust and familial affection. Cats seek warmth and security, and by choosing to be near you, your pet is saying it considers you part of its safe environment.
Making Eye Contact and Slow Blinking
While direct eye contact in the animal world can be a sign of aggression, slow blinking from a cat is an expression of trust and comfort. If a cat makes eye contact and slowly blinks at you, it’s akin to a feline kiss, indicating that you are its trusted family member.
Vocalizing
Cats often communicate vocally with humans in ways they wouldn’t in the wild. If your cat often engages in “conversations” with you through meows and other sounds, it’s an indication that it’s comfortable and sees you as a reliable companion deserving of its interaction.
Exposing Their Belly
A cat’s belly is its most vulnerable area, and a feline will only expose it to individuals they trust completely. If your cat rolls over to show its belly in your presence, it’s a definitive sign that it feels safe and considers you a trusted family member.
Understanding feline behavior is a blend of observing physical cues and recognizing the intentions behind them. These behaviors are powerful indicators of how your cat perceives you. Observing and reciprocating these signs of affection can strengthen the bond you share with your furry companion, building a bridge between human and feline worlds filled with mutual respect and love.
With over a decade of experience as a dedicated cat lover and enthusiast, I specialize in writing captivating content about all things feline. My expertise shines through in creating engaging and informative pieces that resonate with fellow cat lovers. As a proud cat parent to my beloved Duston, my personal connection to the world of cats adds authenticity and warmth to my work, making it relatable and heartfelt.
