Sometimes you just want your cat to know how much you love them. Luckily, there are some easy ways of sharing your emotions with your feline companion.
In this video, you will learn 16 surprising ways to say ‘I love you’ in cat language.
Blink slowly and gaze lovingly into their eyes
Slowly blinking your eyes at your cat is akin to the human kiss. Cats show affection by looking at someone and slowly closing their eyes and opening them again. Get to eye level with your cat and do the same thing. Meet their gaze and blink back. They will know you love them too. Animal experts use this technique to calm fearful cats.
Let them rub on you
We might think of cats as less in need of affection when compared to dogs, but this isn't true. Cats love their owners and they thrive off human affection.
When your cat rubs against you, it is a true sign that you are their person. Cats have scent glands in their cheeks and head. When they rub against you, they are claiming you as their own by leaving their scent on you. If your kitty shows this kind of affection, you are truly family. Show them the same affection by leaning into them and don’t move away as they are wandering in and around your legs.
If you would like to initiate the affection, reach your finger out toward their nose and let them rub their cheeks along your hand. They will know that this is a sign of acceptance and love.
Don’t force them to interact with you
Cats are independent creatures. They don’t like to be smothered with affection and they need some personal space every now and then. Make sure you provide them all the personal space they want. Likewise, provide your cat with a place where they can hide, be alone, and feel comfy and secure.
Groom them
Cats are extremely clean animals and they devote a large portion of their day for selfgrooming.
Not only does the brush feel good like an allover massage, it keeps the fur matfree and the skin clean. Grooming your cat also reduces hair balls, and serves as a bonding session between you and your feline companion.
Some cats even get excited when they see their owners pick up the brush!
In the wild, cats who share a home groom each other as a sign of affection and bonding.
Several Beds
Cats love sleeping. Providing places to sleep lets your cat know that you care about their comfort and happiness. Having a few beds in different places will let your cat know that your space is her space.
Serve up something delicious
Take the time to prepare some exquisite homemade food for your feline companion as a nice surprise.
Cats are obligate carnivores. You can feed your cat beef, chicken, turkey and fish, as long as they are served without any seasonings like sauces, garlic or onions. These spices are harmful for your cat.
Most vets warn against raw meat from the grocery store because of the risk of salmonella or other bacterial contamination. Make sure the meat is cooked well enough so that all the possible bacteria and viruses on it are killed.
Feeding and love go together handinhand when it comes to showing your cat you love them.
Be a keen observer of their behavior
Did you know that many cats don't like to be kissed or hugged? And that they don’t like dog visitors? And sometimes they're not excited to meet your friends’ unpredictable kids?
Your feline companion can express a lot through their body language if you know what to look for.
Feline body language can be subtle—something as small as an eyeblink can indicate contentment, while a lowered tail might signal irritation.
By understanding how cats communicate, you can help prevent stress and make them feel at ease. This will build your loving relationship and increase their trust for you. Cats can’t tell us how they are feeling, so it is up to us to watch and protect them.
When you’re their protector, you can be sure that your cat will be feeling all the love.
Pet them the way they prefer to be pet
The same way humans love a good massage so does a cat. Petting your cat from head to tail not only feels good, but it can also lower blood pressure in your pet.
Always pay attention so that you can learn what your cat likes best. Do they like more pressure at the base of their tail? Maybe they prefer to be rubbed under the cheeks.
In general, most cats prefer being touched around the regions where their facial scent glands are located. This includes the base of their ears, under their chin, and around their cheeks. This kind of petting mimics the kind of grooming cats do by licking one another. A study published in 2015 in the journal of Applied Animal Behavior Science found that cats show more positive behavioral responses—like purring or kneading—when they are pet between the eyes and ears.
An added benefit of the allover massage is that you can detect some of the health problems your cat may have. You will be able to find matted fur or any lump, bumps, or sores that may need attention.