Cats are complex and, without being able to ask them, it’s sometimes hard to tell how they really feel - but there are ways to find out if they love you.
Anyone who owns a cat, knows that there is no other feeling like when your cat chooses to cuddle with you. And with Valentine’s Day just gone it’s not just a time to celeberate romantic partners - you can also celebrate your pet pal.
RSPCA cat behaviour expert, Samantha Watson, has shed a little light on the mystery of discovering whetehr or not cats love us with identifying five ways cats show affection for their owners.
Samantha, a scientific officer at the RSPCA, said: “There are a number of ways our cats tell us that they enjoy our company and feel safe with us. Learning to read your cat’s body language is hugely beneficial as not only can it show you how they feel about you, but it will enable you to spot signs of stress and understand when they want to be left alone.
“Cats are often thought of as being a bit aloof, but they do give away some subtle body language cues that show how much they like you. Humans are always keen to feel their pets adore them, but it is important to remember that every cat is an individual, and sadly not all cats will want to interact with you.”
Whilst some cats are lucky enough to have a loving home, others have been waiting a long time to find their forever home. There’s plenty of cats in RSPCA care who are hoping their perfect family will come forward and spread the love this Pal-entine’s Day. To find out more about how to give a cat in need a forever home, visit the RSPCA website.
According to Samantha, the top five ways to tell if your cat enjoys your company are:
1. Rubbing
“Whenever a cat rubs their head or cheek against you, they are actually transferring some of their own scent onto you and marking you as a trusted friend rather than foe” said Samantha. “By marking you with their scent they are effectively recognising you as part of their social group. Scent is one of the most important senses to a cat, and mixing their scent with yours is a key part of bonding.” | Pexels/ Jonathan Borba
2. Eye contact and slow blinking
“For cats and many other animals, eye contact can be something very threatening, so if your cat is looking at you with relaxed, soft, or almond eyes this is a good indication that they feel comfortable in your company” said Samantha. “Slow blinking is also a sign your cat is fond of you, that they trust you and don’t feel the need to be on guard in your company. Researchers have found that cats are more likely to approach a person who slow blinks at them. If you want to show them you return their trust, mimic their slow blink back to them.” | pexels
3. Tail up greeting
“You can tell a lot about how a cat is feeling by looking at their tail position and movements. A low swishing tail can indicate they are feeling stressed or unhappy, but a tail pointing upwards with a downward curve at the tip is a sign they are really happy to see you. “They might even approach you with a short ‘peeping’ or ‘trilling’ sound which is also a sign they are pleased to greet you.” | pexels
4. Social roll and showing their tummy
“A popular misconception is that when a cat shows you their tummy, they want it rubbed. Stomachs are a very vulnerable area for a cat, and most cats don’t like to be touched there,” adds Samantha. “When a cat rolls over to show you their belly, they are greeting you and testing out whether they can trust you. A good response is to give them a head rub and show them their trust has been well placed. Don’t be surprised if you get a scratch or a nip in response to stroking their belly!” | Asmita Sarkar