The Way of Cats

Why do cats bump their foreheads and rub their chins against us? Why do they do it with other cats, and even with furniture? They are marking what belongs to them. All of it, including us, is stuff they like. And want other cats to know it.

Cats have pheromone scent glands on their chin and whisker pads. These invisible scent markers are for other cats to know that Someone Else likes whatever it is. Different cats are going to react in different ways. All three of my cats chin rub my hands, one after the other, because they all get along and share me. For cats with a hunting territory, it’s a warning signal that this is claimed ground, and intruders should watch their step.

They might be inviting a Mind Meld. They certainly want to show affection.

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A cat showing affection with their head is a higher degree of trust than rubbing a shoulder on our leg. It’s a compliment, and should be received as such.

An insecure cat might shy away when we reach for their head. We should then reach for their chest, which implies a more respectful distance. Uncertain cats will be more likely to enjoy the chest rub than having a hand cover their head.

Also, we should not reach for the head when meeting a cat we don’t know well. We should extend our fist, which is nonthreatening, and if the cat is feeling polite, they will examine it and smell us. If this is a friend’s cat we will be seeing again, we are building a friendship.

A rub under the chin or around the base of the ears is a good way to move up from the chest and expand our respect for the cat’s face and head.

We can find the cat will be more open to face to face contact if we put our hands behind our back as we exchange eye contact and the slow blinks that means “we are friends.” It might then be easier to get our faces close.

When a cat stares at us, they are trying to get our attention. Next time, ask them what they want. They will probably find a way to tell us.

If we pay attention to this most expressive part of the cat’s body, we will find our communication works better. The cat is giving out several signals with their expression, their ears, and their head gestures.

They love to get a conversation going.

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There’s more ways to get our cat to be affectionate in The Way of Cats than the article you are reading now. See all of my CAT AFFECTION posts.