Cats are weird. Seriously, one minute they won’t acknowledge you, and the next they’ll be doing something bizarre, and you’ll wonder what the heck it means. Anyone who has spent any amount of time living with a cat knows they have some strange habits. While many of these can be strange, annoying, or even humorous, most of them are actually ways cats show love.
In fact, there are 10 weird things cats do when they love you. Let’s explore.
As a cat owner, I quickly learned that cats don’t show affection in ways we’d expect. They aren’t like dogs. They’re not even always like us humans. Cats are subtle. Cats are quirky. And cats are weird. But the more I learned about how cats show affection, the more I understood that these weird and random behaviors are actually what cats do when they trust you.
Here are some of the weird ways cats say “I love you.”
1. They Slow Blink at You
Cats love to slow blink at their pet parents. You might catch yours staring at you and then blinking slowly a few times.
I know it sounds strange, but this is actually one of the sweetest things your cat does to show you they love you.
To a cat, closing their eyes means they’re vulnerable. By slowly blinking at you, your cat is telling you that they feel safe when they’re with you.
You can try slowly blinking back at your cat. Chances are they’ll either slowly blink back at you or momentarily relax their body.
2. Rubbing Their Head Against You
Have you ever tried to dodge your cat’s forehead when they come running and headbutt you? Sometimes it feels like trying to dodge a freight train.
But headbutting isn’t just your cat trying to be awkward. It’s one of the biggest compliments they can give.
Cats have scent glands located on their cheeks and forehead. So when they run into you or rub up against you, they’re marking you with their scent.
When cats mark you with their scent, they’re claiming you as theirs.
When your cat rubs their head against you, they’re telling you that you’re their person.
3. Kneading You With Their Paws
It doesn’t matter if your cat is kneading you, your pillow, or the couch. They’re going to do it the same way every time.
Kittens knead when they’re nursing from their mother. They instinctively know how to stimulate milk production by pushing down with their paws.
When your cat kneads you, they are showing you they feel safe and comfortable.
4. Bringing You Dead Animals (and Other Random Stuff)
You walk into the room and notice one of your cat’s toys or maybe even an old sock on the floor. You look closer… it’s an entire animal.
Congratulations. Your cat has just bonded with you.
Providing their owners with dead animals is one of those strange things cats do when they love you. Hunting is instinctual for cats.
Wild cats will often bring down larger prey than they can eat and allow their kittens to learn how to hunt by feeding on the “gift.”
So when Fluffy steals a dead bird and brings it to your feet, she’s letting you know that she cares about you and wants to provide for you.
5. Following You Around
There are two types of cats: the ones that follow you everywhere and the ones that don’t.
If your cat is a follower, there’s a reason. Don’t believe me? Try sitting down. They will either sit beside you or crawl into your lap.
Cats aren’t mind readers, but if they follow you around, it’s because they like spending time with you.
A cat will choose their favorite person carefully. Once they decide you’re the one, they’ll follow you around, showing you they feel safe with you.
6. Sleeping on You
Did you know cats sleep up to 16 hours a day? Now that you think about it, you’ve probably seen your cat snoozing numerous times.
What you might not know is that where your cat chooses to sleep can indicate how they feel about you.
If your cat curls up on your lap, chest, feet, or even your head while they sleep, they trust you.
When animals sleep, they are vulnerable. So your cat sleeping on you means they trust you to keep them safe while they sleep.
7. Presenting Their Belly
I know what you’re thinking—doesn’t every time your cat shows you their belly mean they want their belly rubbed?
Sort of. When a cat exposes their belly, they trust you. But just because they show you their belly doesn’t mean you’re automatically entitled to rub it.
Many cats love having their belly rubbed. But some cats will let you know you crossed a boundary when you try.
It doesn’t mean your kitty doesn’t love you. They’re just showing their love in weird cat ways.
8. Licking You
Do you let your cat lick you? If not, you should consider it.
When cats groom each other, it helps solidify their relationships. They want you to be part of their “pack.”
If your cat licks you, they’re showing they love you and want to take care of you.
9. Sitting on Your Things
Is your cat constantly sitting on your stuff? Whether it’s your laptop, book, shirt, or even your backpack, cats love sitting on their human’s belongings.
Here’s why: your belongings smell like you. To a cat, your scent is comforting, especially if they associate you with positive things like food and cuddles.
If your cat sits on your things, they’re just trying to be closer to you.
10. Curling Their Tail Around You
Think about how you greet the people you love. A nice handshake? A hug?
How does your cat greet you when they’re excited to see you? By curling their tail around your leg or arm.
Yes, tail movement is one way cats show affection. If your cat wraps their tail around you when they see you, they’re giving you a kitty hug.
Why Do Cats Show Their Love in Strange Ways?
If you have ever wondered why cats show affection in the strange ways they do, it all boils down to their history as both predator and prey.
When cats show affection, they are taking a chance. In the wild, showing affection could make them vulnerable.
That’s why cats show they love you through small gestures that not everyone will notice.
Why Your Cat Won’t Show These Affectionate Gestures
Just because your cat doesn’t exhibit all the above behaviors doesn’t mean they don’t love you. All cats are different.
Some cats do not like being picked up, and others don’t like petting.
However, if you pay close enough attention and learn how your cat shows affection, you’ll find that they are showing you they love you in their own way.
How Can You Show Your Cat More Love?
If you want your cat to show you more affection, try:
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Leaving them alone when they want to be by themselves
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Learning what their tail and other body language mean
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Spending quiet time with them
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Providing them with interactive toys
As you learn to understand your cat better, you’ll be surprised how your cat opens up and shows you more affection in return.
Final Thoughts
Cats are strange creatures that display their affection in weird ways. Now you know why cats do the weird things they do when they love you.
From showing you their belly to sleeping on your feet, cats have many ways they show love. You just have to pay attention.
So next time your kitty rubs up against your leg, proceeds to shove their entire body in your face for cuddles, or drops a half-eaten animal by your feet, just know they’re doing these strange things cats do when they love you because they love you.
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