Have you ever wondered if your furry companion truly trusts you? While cats might not express affection the same way dogs do, they have their own subtle language of trust that speaks volumes if you know what to look for. These signs often go unnoticed by many cat owners, yet they represent some of the deepest bonds your feline friend can form with you.
Understanding these hidden trust signals can transform your relationship with your cat. From mysterious body language cues to peculiar behaviors that might seem odd at first glance, your cat is constantly communicating their level of comfort and trust in your presence. So let’s explore these fascinating ways your cat shows they trust you completely.
They Present You with Their “Hunting Gifts”
When you discover a dead mouse, bird, or even a favorite toy at your doorstep, your cat isn’t being morbid. When cats bring gifts, they’re often expressing affection and trust. By sharing their “prey” with you, they’re demonstrating that they consider you part of their family group. This behavior helps strengthen the bond between cat and owner, even if the gifts themselves aren’t always appreciated.
The main hypothesis is that this behavior is maternal. In the wild, mother cats go out and hunt and then bring the food back for their kittens. This not only feeds the young cats but also provides something for them to play, practice how to hunt and recognize prey. Domesticated cats have retained this instinct, and bringing their prey to their owners is a way for them to show their affection and trust. When a cat brings a dead animal to its owner, it is often seen as a gift or a token of affection.
The Slow Blink of Love
Cats use slow blinking to demonstrate affection and trust. If your cat holds eye contact with you when relaxed, and gives a slow blink every now and again, this is a definite sign of affection and trust. Known as the ‘love blink’, this sleepy sign is very subtle but once you know, you know! This gentle gesture is your cat’s version of a kiss.
The slow blink is a sign of trust, says certified feline behavior consultant Cristin Tamburo told Kinship. Your cat is showing that they are relaxed and comfortable in your presence. They only shut their eyes to sleep or when they feel very safe. So you can take a small but emphatic blink in your direction as a sign of trust and affection. Blinking is like a little kiss that you may return in the same way.
Kneading You Like Their Childhood Memory
Do you remember your childhood and how carefree and safe you felt? Cats too remember growing up feeling protected in the presence of their mother – especially when they feel completely secure. You can recognise your cat’s nostalgic moments in the way it kneads a cushion or perhaps even your stomach with its paws in your presence. Cats would do this to stimulate milk flow from their mother. By doing so with humans, adult cats are therefore showing them unlimited trust.
When a cat kneads on you, they demonstrate positive feelings in an instinctual way. This behavior, also called making biscuits, is also a way for cats to release pheromones through the scent glands they have on their paws, just like when they headbutt you, to mark you as their territory. At the same time, they’re showing that they’re completely comfortable in your presence because they trust you enough to be that close to you.
Showing You Their Most Vulnerable Belly
Is your cat rolling on their back to show their belly? That’s a wonderful sign of cultivating trust! However, revealing their tummy doesn’t indicate they feel safe with someone touching it. Cats (unless they’re one of those cats that just seems to love everybody they come across) don’t tend to show their belly to just anyone, so if they roll onto their back in front of you, this is a sure sign of trust. This is because the belly is vulnerable, so showing it to you indicates that your cat feels comfortable and relaxed in your presence.
In nature, cats are both prey and predator to small critters. Evolutionarily, as prey, they learned to protect themselves and their vital organs (such as the belly area) from those they mistrust. If your cat is still very protective of their belly and chest, building confidence in you will help them feel more vulnerable and safe. This exposed position shows they believe you pose no threat whatsoever.
Choosing to Sleep Near or On You
The ultimate compliment is if they want to sleep on you – being close to you when they are at their most vulnerable is a definite sign that you have earnt your cat’s trust. If your kitty likes to sleep near you – or even on you – this is an indication that they have total trust in you. When a cat is asleep they are of course vulnerable, so choosing to sleep in your presence, rather than wandering off and finding another safe haven, means that they feel relaxed and don’t see any danger in your company.
Cats are naturally vigilant creatures and their survival instincts are always on high alert. This means that when they sleep, they prefer to do so in a secure and safe environment. If your furry friend decides to take its nap next to you, it’s a strong indication that they feel safe and protected in your presence. They view you as someone who won’t harm them and can protect them if needed. It’s one of the highest forms of trust a cat can bestow upon its human companion.
The Enthusiastic Greeting at Your Return
If your cat comes running to greet you when you come home, it’s a good sign that your cat trusts you. A nervous cat may watch from afar, but if your cat comes running to greet you when you come home, this is a good sign that your kitty trusts their human companions. If your cat runs to greet you at the door when you get home while meowing, chirping, or trilling, you can consider this their way of saying “I’m glad to see you”. It also likely means they want a bit of attention from you because they’ve missed you.
When you get home, does your cat like to greet you? If they greet you with a vertical tail, this is a sign that they’re pleased to see you and are feeling relaxed. This enthusiastic welcome shows they not only trust you but genuinely look forward to your presence. Their excitement reveals the bond you’ve built together.
Grooming You as Part of Their Social Circle
If your cat licks or grooms you then it’s a pretty good sign that they view you as a trusted member of their group. When they’re in the litter as kittens, they groom each other as a way of bonding so grooming you is an extension of this behavior. Cats groom one another (allogrooming) not only to give a helping paw with keeping clean but also to bond and show love and friendship. So, if your cat grooms you, it’s a sure sign that they’ve bonded with you and are showing that they consider you a member of their social group.
When your cat starts licking your hand, hair, or skin, they’re treating you like family. This behavior shows they trust you enough to engage in intimate social bonding. Grooming and snuggling are signs of social bonding between cats. These behaviors show a high level of trust and are used to strengthen their connection, reduce stress, and show affection.
Allowing You to Handle Them Completely
When your cat allows you to pick them up and their body is relaxed, it means that they have absolute trust in you. Sometimes owners hold their cat cradled like a baby or they hold their relaxed cat on their shoulder. This is one of the biggest signs your cat trusts you. Maybe they let you trim their nails or hold them or, in some extreme cases, only come out of hiding when you are around.
If you choose to lift them, there are signs your kitty is not relaxed. If your cat extends their claws or if their body is tensed up as you lift them, then your cat is not ready to be held. However, a truly trusting cat will remain calm and relaxed during handling, showing they have complete faith in your intentions and actions.
Head Bonking and Scent Marking You
Amongst us humans, a blow to the head is anything but conducive to a close bond, but your cat has a different view. If your cat lovingly prods your chin with its head or gleefully rubs its head against your leg, you can consider it happy. Your cat is putting its trust in you and has accepted you as its caregiver.
If your cat often rubs its head against you or gives you gentle headbutts, these are signs your cat has strong feelings of trust. Cats have scent glands on their head which they use to mark their territory. A cat’s love is shown when your cat rubs its head against you. They are marking you as their own and thereby showing their trust in you. If a cat is rubbing against you with their head, their mouth, or their tail, they are marking you as safe. This is the ultimate sign of trust.
Using Special Vocalizations Just for You
Cats tend to generally reserve meows for communicating with humans – and they are more likely to meow at you if they feel connected to you. Often, they do this by meowing, which is interesting, because cats don’t really meow at each other. They meow at their mothers, who provide them with food, warmth, and safety when they are kittens, and they meow at their people, who provide them with the same things as adults. But whatever their method of asking, they do it because the trust that you will provide for them.
Your cat may also “chat” with you at random intervals throughout the day just to be sociable. Unlike their communication with other cats, which relies heavily on body language and scent marking, cats have evolved to use vocalizations primarily as a way to communicate with humans. This means that when your cat vocalizes, it’s often trying to get your attention, convey a need, or express an emotional state. Learning to differentiate between these sounds lays the foundation for deeper understanding and trust in your cat-human relationship.
Conclusion: The Silent Language of Trust
Your cat’s trust isn’t always obvious, but once you learn to recognize these subtle signals, you’ll realize just how deeply your feline friend values your relationship. From the gentle slow blink to the enthusiastic greeting, these behaviors reveal a bond built on genuine affection and security.
Remember, not every cat will display all these behaviors, and that’s perfectly normal. Each cat has their unique personality and way of expressing trust. The key is observing your specific cat’s patterns and appreciating the special ways they choose to show their love for you. What unexpected trust signals have you noticed from your feline companion? Tell us in the comments.
