Do Cats Like to Be Kissed? Signs and Intimacy Tips
- NATURAL KITCHEN
- May 24, 2024
- 4 min read
How much do we love to cuddle and pet our cats? But of course, not all cats like to be cuddled, and they don't always like to sit on your lap. Have you ever tried to give your cat a kiss on the head, only to receive a smack or a cat-like eye roll? Do cats enjoy being kissed?
There is not one answer that works for all situations. It all depends on the individual cat's personality and the relationship it has with its owner. Some cats seem to enjoy being kissed, while others don't.
Here, we discuss how cats might perceive our kisses and a few ways they might actually enjoy showing affection. We'll also look at how cats can return the affection.
Do cats like to be kissed?
Humans understand the meaning of kissing and that it is a meaningful way for us to express our affection to those we love. But cats have no idea what we are doing when we kiss them.
In that respect, it's not so different from us. Not everyone likes to be intimate and enjoys receiving and giving kisses and hugs.
There are many ways for cats to express whether they accept your kiss.
How to know if your cat doesn't like kissing?
If your cat moves away when you lean in for a kiss, that's a clear sign that now is not the right moment. Your cat might appreciate a gentle kiss at other times, but respect your cat's need to be alone (or just not be kissed) at this time.
It's always a good idea to be familiar with your cat's multiple emotions. If your cat's ears flatten and his tail starts wagging violently, it's usually a good idea to let your kitten calm down before attempting any intimacy.
When your cat is in a good mood and accepts your touch, you can try a gentle kiss. If your cat seems comfortable with this, then you are lucky. However, if your cat doesn't seem too happy, there are other ways to express your love for your cat.
You can show your love for cats in other ways
Petting your cat in a way that pleases them is a great way to show them affection. Your best bet is to let the cat lead you: put your finger towards the cat's nose. Cats will often push your finger or hand with their head or hands to show you where and how they like to be petted. This is more common behind their cheeks.
This way, you're not just letting your cat control how you pet them, you'll also learn what your cat likes best.
It is important to find the areas of your cat's body that are most enjoyable to be petted. The best areas include:
Try not to handle the whiskers too much as they are very sensitive. They also contain scent glands.
Around the chin and neck.
There are also scent glands near the chin.
This is another area that has scent glands, so it's an important area.
There are more scent glands here.
Your cat loves to spread their scent around, so petting your cat in these areas is guaranteed to be enjoyable for both your cat and you.
Remember to avoid the cat's belly, paws, legs, and tail, as these areas are usually off-limits for most cats.
You can also show your love for your cat through general care: feeding them nutritious food regularly, giving them snacks, grooming, and talking and interacting with your cat. Grooming, in particular, is a great way to bond with your cat—unless your cat doesn't like it.
How Cats Show Us Love
Cats have many ways of showing us their love. Sometimes it's not always obvious because we speak different languages, so it's a good idea to learn the signs.
Head rub
Also called head-butting, head-butting is when your cat gives you those loving pats with their head (or other body parts). Cats have scent glands all over their heads, including on their foreheads, so when your cat bumps you, they are marking you as part of their scent, telling you that you are part of their family.
Slow blink
If you notice your cat looking at you and blinking slowly, this is their way of showing trust. You can blink slowly back as a way of telling your cat that you trust them. Watch how your cat does it and copy it. This is also a great way to de-escalate a situation. If your cat is agitated and you blink slowly at him, he may calm down.
Licking and biting
When your cat starts licking you, it is usually a form of grooming, much like a mother cat grooming her kittens. You may have noticed that cats will groom each other and almost anyone in their family, so when this behavior occurs in you, consider yourself part of their family.
Hug
This is a clear sign. When your cat wants to spend quality time with you and cuddle with you in bed or on your lap, they obviously love you. There must be a certain level of love and trust for a cat to be so intimate with you.
Step on milk
Cats learn to knead when they are young. They use the "cookie-making" motion to stimulate the flow of their mother's milk while they are nursing. So, when adult cats knead, they are usually feeling relaxed and content. When your cat is kneading on you, they are blissful in that moment.
Rubbing here and there
When your cat wraps around your legs and rubs against you, they are again scenting you, which means you are being marked as a member of their family.
They may also sometimes wrap their tails around you during these times, or hold their tails up like a question mark. These are all behaviors that show your cat is happy, and you can view them as signs of affection.
Conclusion
There are many ways to show your cat that you love them. You can do this with your own "language," such as petting, giving treats, or even just talking to your cat. Learning what your cat loves (and doesn't love) is the best way to build a strong, trusting bond.
You can also kiss, but only if your cat seems receptive to it. Cats, like us, are individual in their personalities and preferences.
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