If your cat lets you rub his belly, he's showing you that he trusts you. Some cats are just fine with belly rubs, and they may even roll over next to you and ask for them. Other cats can react strongly, feeling threatened or uncomfortable when you try to rub their bellies.
If your cat lets you rub their belly, it means they trust you enough to let you touch one of their most vulnerable areas. Your cat might also have a higher threshold for stimulation.
According to Animal Path, “Whether you have just brought home a kitten or your cat has lived with you for years, it is possible for you to train him to like, or at least tolerate belly rubs. Training your cat to allow you to touch his body, including his paws and belly, can be beneficial for both of you.
In general, cats prefer to be stroked along their back or scratched under the chin or around the ears. Paws, tails, their underbellies and their whiskers (which are super sensitive) are best avoided.
Conclusion. Most cats don't understand that kisses from humans are a sign of affection. A cat will surely let you know if they enjoy being kissed or not. The best ways to show your cat that you love them are to give them toys, treats, and plenty of one-on-one time.
Smell Transfer
Cats recognize each other (and us) by scent. Raising the butt is your cat's way of getting their anal glands closer to your nose so you can get a whiff of their pheromones. This is how cats introduce themselves to other cats.
Cats can vary significantly in their comfort level at being carried. Some cats won't let you hold them at all, others might allow it but glare at you with quiet scorn, while still others might absolutely love it, even seeking out a person's arms or shoulders as their preferred perch.
Key takeaway. Understanding when and where it is safe to pet a cat is important for your safety and theirs. While every cat is different, most felines prefer to be pet on their back, chin, around the cheeks, ears, and on their forehead. Many cats dislike being pet on their tail, tummy, or feet.
Humans apart
Cats cannot differentiate between human faces and do not care how you look like. Unlike dogs, they would not even try to differentiate human faces. In an experiment conducted by an American university, the kitties could recognize their handlers less than 50 percent of the time.
Spots where most cats like to be petted include the scent glands that are located between the ears, at the base of the ears, on their cheeks, and under the chin. They may also enjoy light pressure down their neck and back, stopping right before their tail.
If your cat sleeps on your bed, he may choose a position that lets him see out your bedroom door more easily. If he's curled up in a ball under your bed or in a quiet corner, then he may be hiding. Cats who sleep under the covers might love being close to you, or they might be hiding to feel safer.
10. On Top of You. While this is often not one of the most comfortable positions for you, it is a good sign that you have a very positive relationship with your kitty. Your cat really wants to be close to you, and he is so comfortable with you that he really feels he can let his guard down by sleeping on top of you.
Although cats are much less obvious than dogs, they do experience the same emotions. Signs of a happy cat may be as subtle as an upright tail and a rub on your leg, a joyous slow blink, a quiet purr, or making some biscuits, so be on the lookout!
But why do cats like getting their cheek and chin scratched? Well, cats live scent-driven lives. And it turns out, their favorite places to be pet release a lot of scents called pheromones—we just can't smell them. Scratching a cat's cheek or chin causes your scent to mix with theirs, making them even happier.
Your Cat Stares at You to Show Affection
Cats can use staring as a nonverbal way of communicating. Even though a long, unblinking stare may not be the best way for humans to show affection, when your fur baby does this, it may mean they're showing love to their favourite owner.
Cats are often quite independent creatures but if they have a strong bond with you, they may simply follow you around because they want to be near to you and see what you're up to. Or perhaps they're waiting for you to sit down so they can jump on your lap for a snooze.
No, your cat doesn't actually think you're the mama cat that birthed it. But cats show us a level of affection and respect that is very similar to the way they treat their mama cat. And this sweet fact flies in the face of anyone who thinks cats' “aloof” personality means they don't care about us.
They want to feel secure
In the domestic setting, you are that safe haven for them. Cats are vulnerable when sleeping, so this behavior suggests that they trust you and feel secure when you're there.
Sleeping by you means your cat trusts you and feels safe around you. Cats also sleep alongside their humans as a way of bonding. If your cat curls up against you or uses you as a pillow, he may be demonstrating that he likes you and wants to be close to you.
Some cats are more timid or anxious, and sitting on your lap might make them feel unsafe or vulnerable. Sitting next to you offers them security and an escape route if needed. Perhaps they had a negative experience, such as being mishandled, dropped, or hurt while on someone's lap.
The cat loaf pose typically indicates relaxation. Quoted in Inverse, Mikel Delgado, a cat researcher and postdoctoral fellow at the School of Veterinary Medicine at UC Davis, explains that, tucked as they are, cat loaves are clearly not in a defensive position from which they could spring into an attack.
Cats have different sleep-wake cycles than other animals and are often busy at night. This is because cats are crepuscular, which means they hunt and are active in the evening or early morning.
Talking to your cat in a human voice also has the potential to be therapeutic for you! They may not respond as frequently as when talking to them using cat sounds, but you can talk to them all day and they'll simply appreciate the attention.
Purring. Purring is one of the loudest ways cats show their love. Although there are times cats purr when they're uncomfortable, the occasion is rare. More often than not, your cat is purring because she's happy to be around you.