When a cat shows you their belly, the cat is relaxed, comfortable, and doesn't feel threatened. They feel safe enough to expose their vulnerable areas without worrying about being attacked. They are pretty much telling you, “I trust you with my life.” It's a great honour!
If a cat rolls over and shows their belly, it's not always an invitation for a belly rub. “They might just be stretching or communicating to you that they love and trust you by using body language. Or, they just might be scratching an itch,” Geller says.
Cat body posture is fascinating to observe, and rolling on the back sends definite signals. A cat that is secure and content is most likely to roll in an attempt to attract attention. The behavior can be meant as an invitation to play, whether directed to favorite people or other cats.
Tail Wrapping
When your kitty wraps her tail around you or others, she is showing affection, relaxation and love. This usually means she is open to being petted and receiving human contact. However, there are other times when your feline may wrap her tail and but is not interested in interacting with others.
It's all instinct.
A cat's typical response when its belly is touched is to go into defensive mode - they swat or scratch and may even gently bite. Your cat's not being mean, it's simply a natural reflex of protection. This stems from their natural instincts as both predators and prey.
When a cat shows you their belly, the cat is relaxed, comfortable, and doesn't feel threatened. They feel safe enough to expose their vulnerable areas without worrying about being attacked. They are pretty much telling you, “I trust you with my life.” It's a great honour!
Lying next to you, but not on you, doesn't mean your cat is not bonded to you. In fact, sleeping next to you means your cat trusts you enough to be in a vulnerable position while sleeping. Some cats are not comfortable sleeping on their cat parent because they prefer the security of a small buffer zone.
Head, Shoulders, Cheeks and Nose
So, in which places do cats like to be petted? The head, chin and neck are often their favorites. While some cats enjoy having their tails touched, others will recoil and even experience pain from a tail stroke.
According to a study done by the nutrition company, Canadae, they discovered that the person who makes the most effort is the favorite. People who communicate with their cat by getting to know their cues and motives are more attractive to their cat companions.
The truth is, cats understand affection just like any other animal, and domestic cats might actually see us as their real-life mommies and daddies. A 2019 study revealed that kittens evince the same behavior towards us as they do their biological parents.
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.
If a cat rolls over in front of you, it's a good sign. This is your cat's way of saying, "I trust you." Exposing the belly and/or sensitive parts is a very vulnerable moment for your cat, which is an opportunity for both of you to bond.
It is a very important and sensitive part of their body. However, if your cat lets you touch its paws, it means that they love and trust you. This small action truly demonstrates that you have created a great bond with your cat as they trust you enough to let you touch one of the most sensitive areas of their body.
Studies have shown that cats can recognise their owners, even after they've been apart from them for an extended period of time, but they don't rely on sight to identify us.
Cats have the power to sense their owner's emotions. So, cats have the ability to feel whenever their owner is sad. Beyond sadness, domestic cats are also able to feel whenever their owner has switched moods and emotions.
To be safe, avoid kissing your cat on the lips. A peck on the head is just as affectionate and carries far less chance of disease. To ensure your cat's oral hygiene, you might consider regularly brushing your cat's teeth or administering mouth wash. Your vet will be able to advise on the best ways to do this.
The Nose Poke
Cats nose poke (gently touch their nose to the other's nose) only trusted friends, be they feline, human, canine, or equine.
Cats want to cuddle for warmth, safety, and protection, so if they decide to cuddle up on you, it means they trust you! Cats learn to cuddle in their kittenhood and carry this behavior well into adulthood.
Because of their territorial nature, cats believe they actually own your house. When you close a door, it is no wonder that many cats will try to open, scratch, or attack it in every single way. They may simply find your attempt to close a door as a sign that undermines their absolute reign of the territory.
Hugging your arm or leg and biting you is a classic cat hunting move. When cats catch large prey, they will often grasp it with their front legs and then bite it while 'bunny kicking' with their back legs. If your cat is doing this to you, they are misdirecting their hunting behaviour onto you.
Affection: The Love Bite
If your cat licks then bites you out of the blue then you might be in the presence of a love bite, lucky you! This is a very common (and usually gentle) interaction with cats, especially kittens. If your cat does this they might be trying to show you affection.
Why does my cat bite me gently? A bite might not sound very friendly, but cats often bite to show affection. When a mummy cat cleans her kitten, they gently bite them and this is called a love bite. Cats replicate this on humans to either show us love and affection or to get our attention.