Cats are very loving pets and they always want to stay around their owners if permitted.
Two of their common behaviors are headbutting and licking.
When you show love towards your feline friend and give the needed affection, she’ll be fond of touching your face with her paws, headbutting, and licking your hand, head, and even hair.
And why you see this as being too much, it’s the cat’s way of telling you that he’s happy to be with you.
Your cat might even want to sleep by your side so as to nuzzle and nudge you in the middle of the night while you’re sleeping or in the morning to say hello to you.
There are a series of questions being asked by cat owners since many don’t understand how to interpret this behavior and can’t different when it does not mean affection towards them
How do Cats Headbutt?
Headbutting is not related to when two cats are playing or fighting and they now hit head on each other.
Cat headbutt is when your cat rubs her head against you. she may continuing licking you, rubbing her cheeks, nose, and head continuously on any part of your body.
They also show this behavior to furniture at home, both theirs and that of their owner, walls, and equipment at home.
When they are in the garden, they also do this to plants, trees, and other pets, especially dogs.
What are the Reasons for this Behavior?
Cats have scent glands in almost all segments of their body, especially around the head and on the four paws.
Therefore, the cat’s way of getting familiar and recognizing humans is by rubbing her head, touching with paws to leave a smell on them which she’s able to perceive the next time she moves closer to them.
This way, the cat will be able to recognize you and bond with you.
And further, she’ll be able to build trust and affections.
Once this is done, you can now start seeing your cat following you everywhere and playing with you.
Some cat trainers also believe that cat’s bunting may be for securing purpose, leaving scent on the walls and things around so as know when he’s going out of her territory.
Cats have a strong and complex smell communication and may be difficult to understand some of the reasons they smell things, nudge, and lick.
Bunting can also be a way of caring for you, showing respect, trust, and pledging loyalty that she will always be with you.
It can also be a way of seeking your attention and requesting for food, safety, and shelter.
Some other behaviors like the cat looking into your eyes while headbutting, meowing slowly, and patting you, making some other funny gestures towards you can be added to show she’s in need of something from you.
Reasons Cats headbutt their fellow cats or kittens
Cats don’t only headbutt humans, they do to other fellow cats, their kittens, and even dogs.
Cats do have a sense of belongings, and when they see that they’re living in the same home, they tend to rub their head on one another.
This is to blend their smells and make a colony scent.
They also do this to bond themselves.
This is also considered as a measure for deep trust with the other cat.
They do this only with other pets they choose as their companion.
In case you see a cat headbutting another cat, understand that they are best buddies.
This cat bunting can also be seen in wild cats, and among the cat family.
With this, it can be understood that this behavior has been in their genetic makeup from time immemorial, and can be seen as their way of showing expression and communicating among themselves.
While this behavior is very common among cats, some cat breeds and individual cats headbutt less.
Some cats also show excessive bunting. In the process, they purr and nibble you.
Some cats can even bite you hard while they’re being affectionate or when you stop petting them.
If your cat don’t headbutt you, it does not mean she’s not in love with you especially when she’s doing the same to others.
There are many other ways through which he will show it.
If your cat also headbutts each time she’s with you and also bite you gently, there’s no much to worry about.
However, when your cat suddenly attacks you for no reason or bite you hard, it may mean she’s upset with something else or you.
It can also be a sign that the cat is suffering from illness and feeling uncomfortable with her body.
Some illnesses causing this are mouth illness, arthritis, or trauma.
Why do they lick?
Cats always groom each other, usually, the older ones do this to the younger ones more often even when they are not related.
They help to lick the body of their fellow cat in areas he cat can not reach himself.
Mostly, the head parts like eyes, ears, and the head top.
This licking and grooming can enhance the bonding of two cats, as much as a cat and her owner.
When they lick their owner, it should be understood that they feel very safe in their presence.
It also means they’re bonding with you and expressing their love as well.
