I felt that with today being Valentine's Day, what better occasion could there be to share this blog with my fellow cat lovers out there! We all know, that unlike dogs, cats can be a little harder to read sometimes, and don't always wear their affections on their furry sleeves. For many cats, the ways that they show us love can often be much more subtle. Fear not though.. Even if you're the owner of the worlds most aloof feline, this post will give you a little more insight into their inner workings, and help you understand their secret love language a little better.
1. The Purr!
This one is of course the most obvious, but we all know that the soothing purr of a cat is one of the most recognisable ways that they show their love and contentment. When your cat curls up beside you and starts purring, it's their way of saying they feel safe, and loved. Purrs are also one of the ways a cat self soothes and they can on occasion do this to comfort themselves in they are injured or ill (always something to keep an eye out for if your cat is acting out of character).
2. Kneading: A Memory of Kittenhood
If you're as far down the online cat video rabbit hole as I am, I'm sure you will have watched many a cat and kitten 'baking biscuits', also known as 'kneading'. This is a learned behaviour from their kitten days, back when they would suckle at mama cat for milk, and knead her belly to encourage the milk to flow. If your cat climbs onto your lap and kneads at you as they are settling down, it is a small but heart-warming, nostalgic little action of trust, love and cosiness.
3. The Slow Blink
If you have never tried the slow blink challenge with your cat, have this be your sign to do it today! Sit or stand facing one another and look into your cats eyes, slowly blink your eyes at them, keeping them closed for a few seconds at a time before reopening them, if your cat returns the gesture with slow blinks back, what you have there is your proof of your cats trust and affection! My little cat, Panda is the ultimate slow blinker, and I could happily sit chatting away with our blinks back and forth all afternoon!
4. The Claim
Generally seen more in male cats than female, although both sexes do it, is the cheek/chin rub. You will I'm sure at some point have seen your cat rubbing their cheek on the corner of coffee tables, doors, and scratch posts etc. Contrary to popular belief, they're not scratching a tricky to get itch, but do this to mark things with their own scent as their territory. A cat has various scent glands around its body, one of them being in their cheeks, and these glands in particular release happy pheromones which they use to 'claim' certain places, objects, and of course, people. If your cat struts his way over to you and starts rubbing his cheek on you, this is basically your cat claiming you and saying, 'I like you, you're mine'! The ultimate compliment in my humble opinion!
5. Head Bumps: The Ultimate Cat Hug
When your cat gently (or not so gently) bumps their head against yours, you are basically receiving the equivalent of a big cat hug. Also known as 'head bunting' and much like with the cheek rubs, a cat also has scent glands in its head which they use to mark you as their own. However, they also do this as a way of bonding with people as well as getting attention.
6. The 'Belly Up'
At their core, these loveable little creatures that we now share our homes with, were once wild cats roaming even wilder places, places where letting their guards down could land them in a lot of trouble. The cats midline is the most vulnerable part of their body, and a wild cat will instinctively protect it at all costs during battle with other animals. Todays domestic cats are no strangers to this ancestral instinct, and so if your cat rolls onto their back and exposes their belly to you, you should take it as the huge compliment that it is, and the ultimate sign of trust!
7. Bringing Home "Presents"
While granted, it may not be the most 'romantic' gift, your cat bringing you his latest favourite toy, fresh bird catch, or, in some unfortunate cases, a small animal—is their way of showing the purest kind of love. This behaviour stems from their instincts to hunt and share food with loved ones. By leaving that little “gift" for you on your freshly mopped kitchen floor, your cat is essentially saying, “I care about you, and I want to take care of you,” a very high form of affection in the feline world, even if the gift isn’t what you’d particularly choose yourself!
8. Sleeping on You: The Ultimate Sign of Trust
If your cat curls up and sleeps on your lap or beside you in bed, it's one of the most profound ways your feline is showing you love. Cats are vulnerable when they sleep, so when they choose to rest on or near you, it’s a sign of deep trust and affection. They feel safe and protected with you, and they see you as their source of comfort and security.
9. Grooming You: A Sign of Care
While cats are known for being their own fabulous stylists, many cats will groom their humans too. Whether it’s licking your hand, exfoliating your face, or even delightfully combing their tongue through your hair, it's is a clear sign that your cat has made you their person. In the feline world, grooming is a social behaviour that’s used to show care and affection, so when your cat claims you as part of their “family/clowder,” it’s their way of saying, “I love you human.”
10. The Downward Dog Stretch
I saved my favourite for last, because this is the one that always fills my heart up the most. All cats love a good post nap stretch, however, you may have noticed that when you or your cat enters the room and see's the other one, your cat will walk towards you and with their front paws forward have a big downwards dog style stretch, This stretch is a feline to human greeting for the chosen ones that they love and trust. It is a sign that they acknowledge your presence and are happy to see you.
Reflections:
I have spent a lot of time in the company of cats over the years, both in my time working in animal rescue, as well as the time spent with my own cats, and one thing has always been blindingly clear to me, and that is that all cats really are as unique as stars. I have had cats that have clung around my neck purring while sucking on my ear lobes, and I have also spent hours and hours sat in rescue cattery pens, 6 feet away from extremely nervous cats, who after 3 weeks of building trust finally started to slow blink me. Both types of gesture have always felt equally as significant to me. So if you have a cat who you've always secretly wished showed a little more (how us humans would interpret) "affection", know that you may well have been receiving it all along in through the secret love language of cats. Figuring out how your cat tells you they love you, only serves to make your bond even stronger.
Amy x
