15 Telltale Signs Your Cat Loves You & Truly Cares

For far too long, cats have gotten a bad rap for being "aloof," "unemotional," or "unaffectionate." Sound familiar? Many a cat parent has endured a litany of harsh claims from non-cat people detailing how their cats don't actually love them, that they'd eat their humans if given the chance, etc. These notions aren't true, so why do they persist so strongly?

It's true that cats generally don't emote outwardly as much as dogs do, and this has led many to believe that our cats simply don't care about us. That isn't the case, however. Your cat has tons of ways of expressing their love and affection for you through their body language and behavior - you just need to know what to look out for. So pay attention to these telltale signs your cat loves you!

15 Signs Your Cat Loves You

1. Purring

It's a well-known fact that cats purr when they are comfortable and happy (though some cats purr more than others). If your pet kitty purrs when you pick them up or stroke their fur, that's usually a pretty good sign that they're glad to have you around!

That being said, purring isn't solely a sign of happiness. Feline behaviorist Stephen Quandt told Forbes that cats also purr to get attention, express hunger, or self-soothe when they're stressed, sick, or injured. A happy, healthy, and well-fed cat will most likely purr simply to express contentment, but cat parents should look out for other context clues!

2. Kneading

Sometimes during a cuddle sesh, your cat will start to alternate pressing their paws into you like they're making bread dough on your lap. It's pretty darn cute, even if their claws make it a bit uncomfortable! This behavior is called "kneading" or " making biscuits ," and your cat's reason for doing this is actually pretty sweet.

According to animal scientist Leticia Fanucchi , kneading is an instinctual behavior in kittens that's associated with feeding. Kittens knead their mother's mammary glands to stimulate milk flow and the release of the bonding hormone oxytocin. Even after they've weaned, adult cats often continue this behavior as an affectionate form of social bonding. Additionally, cats' paws have scent glands, and kneading them into your skin allows them to mark you as their "special person!"

3. Slow Blinking

Wait, cats can communicate affection by... slowly blinking at you? Well, kind of. More specifically, it's a sign of mutual trust. Prolonged direct eye contact usually comes across as a threat among cats. According to Eugene Animal Hospital , cats who are friendly with each other do a " slow blink " where they glance at each other, slowly blink, and look away to limit direct eye contact. When your cat does this behavior at you, they're saying that they're not a threat, they know you're not a threat, and they're comfortable around you!

4. Showing Off Their Belly

Much like slow blinking, a cat exposing its belly to their special person is a sign of significant trust. As the Toronto Humane Society explains, cats are loathe to show their bellies in the wild, as it's a soft place full of vital organs that's vulnerable to attacks. By flashing their belly at you, your cat is essentially saying they trust you not to kill them. That doesn't necessarily mean they want belly rubs, though, so unless you already know your cat likes those, touch their tummy at your own risk!

5. Rubbing Against You

Most cat lovers know that cats rub against things (and people) to mark their territory, but there's a little bit more to it than that. According to the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior , cats have a pheremone called F4 they release when rubbing against other familiar cats to specifically mark their friends and create a "group scent." By rubbing up on you, your cat isn't just marking you as "their territory," but as their friend!

6. Headbutting

Does your cat enjoy greeting you with a vigorous head bonk? They're not trying to start a sparring match with you - they're telling you that they love you! According to Feliway , our cats' wild ancestors used cat bunting (aka, headbutting) to share scents with other colony members as a sign of trust. Your cat's head is covered with scent glands, and by headbutting you, they're sharing their scents and marking you as a member of their family. Think of it as the feline version of a kiss on the cheek!

7. Tail Hugging

Does your cat like to say "hi" by wrapping their tail around your leg? According to veterinary behaviorist Dr. M. Leanne Lilly , cats often wrap their tails together to mark each other and signal their friendship. When your cat curls their tail around you, it doesn't just feel like a hug - it essentially is a hug!

8. Approaching with Upright or Question Mark Tails

Since we're talking tails, here's another couple of affectionate tail signs you should know. According to Bow Wow Meow Pet Insurance , a tail pointing straight up indicates that your cat is " contended, confident, and sociable " - it's typically how kittens greet their mothers! A "question mark" tail - an upright tail with a slight curl at the end - also signifies that your cat is happy to see you!

Related: 6 Odd Cat Behaviors Explained

9. Grooming You

Cats groom themselves all the time, so what does it mean when they lick you for a change? According to animal behaviorist Dr. Alison Gerken, grooming is an altruistic social behavior cats use to strengthen their bonds with one another: mother cats groom their kittens, friendly cats groom each other, etc. Your cat might "groom" you as a way of expressing affection and marking you as their own.

As with purring, however, this kind of grooming can sometimes be an attention-seeking behavior or a sign of distress , especially if it becomes excessive or compulsive. Don't be too worried if your cat licks you, though. Just be mindful of other context clues in case their behavior starts to seem "off."

10. Bringing You Gifts

Oh, joy. Your cat has proudly brought you yet another scrounged-up piece of trash, or their tatty toy rat, or worse still: an actual dead rat. Why, oh, why, do they bring you these "gifts?"

It comes from a well-meaning place, according to animal behaviorist Amy Shojai. As she explains, cats are pack animals with an instinctual desire to hunt and feed their families - and you're part of the family! When your cat conquers its "prey" (be it a piece of trash, a cat toy, or a real animal), they want to make sure you get your fair share of the spoils. It's the thought that counts!

11. Following You Around the House

Some cats stick to their humans like velcro, following them everywhere and weaving in between their legs. Veterinarian Dr. Sarah J. Wooten explains that cats may trail their humans for any potential number of reasons, including concerning ones like hunger, stress, and separation anxiety . But if your cat is mentally and physically well, not overly clingy, and not hungry, they're probably following you because, as Wooten puts it, "You are the center of [their] world." Besides, they might be trying to ask you for cuddles or playtime!

12. Presenting Their Backside

A cat butt in your face isn't exactly what most of us would consider a charming greeting, but according to cat behaviorist Pam Johnson-Bennett , it's their way of being polite! Like dogs, cats have pheromone-filled scent glands in their backsides which convey important information via scent. Friendly cats trade off sniffing each other's behinds to learn more about the other and where they've been.

Butt-presenting can also be a sign of trust (or that your buddy wants some bum scritches), but your cat just might be inviting you to take a whiff and learn more about their day. Uh, you don't have to take them up on the offer, though...

13. Sleeping Beside You

You can be sure your cat loves you if you frequently wake up to them sleeping curled at your feet - or on your chest! Sleep is a vulnerable time for cats, so if they like sleeping next to you, it's because they feel safe and comfortable in your presence. Plus, according to Dr. Wailani Sung , your cat might also enjoy your body heat and familiar scent. You're just the all-round perfect cuddle buddy to your kitty!

14. Meowing and Trilling

Cats have dozens of distinct vocalizations, but they tend to meow very little at other cats in the wild, primarily relying on scent to communicate. According to Live Science , many researchers believe that cats adapted meowing as a way to communicate with humans, since our noses can't "sniff up" what they're putting down. Your cat isn't meowing just to meow - they're trying to talk to you!

If you own a cat, you'll know that different meows mean different things: a long, loud meow indicates stress or pain, persistent meows mean they want their food bowl filled, etc. But if your cat greets you with a chorus of trills, chirps, and happy high-pitched meows, they're likely trying to say a friendly "Hello!" or get your attention!

15. Hanging Out Together

Not all cats are cuddly, playful, or talkative, and some people with reserved or cuddle-averse kitties fear that their pets don't really like them. But consider this: does your cat still go out of their way to hang out around you?

If so, rest easy. As we've clearly established, cats are choosy about who they spend their time with, and while some like lots of personal space, that doesn't mean they don't like their humans. Maybe your cat prefers to sit a few feet apart from you instead of on your lap, but if they still spend lots of time hanging out in the same room as you, it's because you're a safe, familiar, and comforting presence to them.

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