Ah cats. They’re certainly not the most obvious pet in the world when it comes to making their feelings of affection to their humans known. No, that #1 spot definitely goes to the barking, tail-wagging balls of fluffy joy that are oh-so-often labelled “man’s best friend.”
But while dogs hold the #1 spot in the communication-of-happiness department, I don’t think cats are too far behind. They have cattitude, yes, and have the potential to be quite stand-offish, but if you know how to interpret their behaviour, it just makes it all the more meaningful when you, their person, realize the true meaning behind their actions. There are plenty of ways cats are letting us know they’re happy to have us around. Here are some of them.
Picture from post Closet Kitty
Ways Cats Communicate They Appreciate Their Humans
- Purrs when being petted
Happiness is not the only reason why cats purr, but more often than not, cats are purring to communicate they’re happy. This all-too-obvious cat communication technique definitely had to be first on this list. - Follows you around the house
Does your cat follow you from room to room? Maybe not all day, but once in a while? Your cat’s letting you know that you’re a pretty entertaining thing to watch, and pretty good company as well. - Meows for you to open a door when you’re in a room they can’t get into
Cats certainly do not like closed doors, but if your cat regularly meows at you to open a door when you’re on the other side of it: take it as the complement it is – your kitty loves to make sure you’re always around! - Sprawls in front of you and shows you a fluffy cat belly
Nothing cuter (or more irresistible to stroke) than a fluffy cat belly to we mere humans, but this isn’t the kind of treatment any ol’ person gets! Showing off a belly is a huge sign of trust from a cat. - Plops onto your keyboard
Or anywhere else besides that has your attention! There’s nothing that says “I’m happy to have you” more than, “I want as much of your attention as I can get!” - Slow blinks from across the room
Yes, we cat keepers know all too well what that slow blink means. So what if kitty’s not into sitting next to you right now? Those slow blinks from across the room are letting you know your company is appreciated. - Cat naps in the same room you happen to be in
Goes along the same lines as the last point and following you around the house. Just because kitty’s not sitting next to you, doesn’t mean your company isn’t well appreciated. If your cat naps in the same room you happen to be in quite frequently, you’d better believe your company is loved. - Naps in your clothing
There are plenty of things to sleep on in your home. Cat choosing to lie in the pile of clothing you just took off and have left temporarily on the bed or even on the floor? A good way of sending the message – “This smells of you, so I’ll nap in it!” - Listens when you say, “No!”
This is a cat we’re talking about! Cats don’t have to do what people say! If your cat listens to you when you tell him/her what to do, that that as an enormous complement! Your pet is showing appreciation whenever he/she listens and does what you wish. - Obligatory cuddles at a specific point in the day
Whether it’s first thing in the morning, right after kitty eats, or even right before snuggling up in bed – these obligatory cuddle times are a definite, “You make my life better” moments of communication from any kitty. - Welcome home meeps
Dogs most certainly are not the only pets who greet their people at the door – cats do this, too. Often accompanied by little meeps! Yes, your cat 100% does love you, and I’m sure any dog owner would have to agree that it’s pretty awesome being greeted at the door by a cat if they arrived home to a kitty’s little greeting “mews.” Not quite as obvious a method of communication as a tail-wagging, happy barking dog, but certainly a very obvious sign of affection nonetheless. - Snuggling up with you in bed at night
If your cat likes keepin’ warm next to you at night – take it as a huge compliment! Your cat digs snuggling with you so much, having you during the day isn’t even enough!
Picture from post Backlogged
How Does Your Cat Show Appreciation?
What ways does your cat show it’s happy to have you around?
Any I’ve mentioned on this list ring true? Any I’ve left out?
Let me know in the comments down below!
My sweet Callie likes to appear at 4 a.m. for a good petting and will take her sweet little paw and gently stroke my cheek. Sweetest thing.
That is way too adorable! What a sweetheart. 🙂
This trend wherein we take an ordinary verb, to pet, and give it a declension that absolutely no other similar verb has—really has to stop. “Today I will pet the cat, but yesterday I petted the cat. The cat wants to be petted.” Yes, you can call me all the names you want, but this is ridiculous. Please, for the love of God, stop doing this, people. “Purrs when being petted”—or “purrs when being a pet (noun)”—those are the only choices.
Righty-ho! Well I’ve changed this on my end (where I spotted it). Sorry we’re all so bad at grammar!
My cats groom me. They lick my hand if I’m holding them while they clean or they just affectionately give me several licks.
Too cute! Wish Avery did that.
hello kittyclysm its dennis the vizsla dog hay my sister charlee the hipster kitty is weerd she luvs to sit on dadas lap and purr and stuf but yoozhually only wen he is in the offiss!!! my mama thinks it is becuz of that wun nite wen charlees brother chaplin stayd overnite at the vet and charlee went to see dada in the offiss to be komforted sinse she had never ben away frum chaplin before!!! ok bye
Oh I see, Dennis! That’s a very interesting story, thank you for sharing it! 🙂
Avery likes sitting in our lap when we’re in our office chairs, too! I think it’s because he doesn’t like it when we move around/fidget too much if we have him in our lap, and when we humans work, we’re pretty still, so it makes it the perfect time for him to come cuddle 🙂
I love it when my cats give me the slow blinks 🙂
Me too! 🙂 I give ’em right back 😉
Those were all good! Sometimes we leave heart shaped pee clumps in the litter box.
This is too good! You cats are so incredibly skillful! 🙂 🙂
Don’t forget when kitty decides it’s time for you, her mere human, to have a bath. S/he may see you getting into that weird water box you call a shower 🚿 or worse still submerging yourself in water in that thing called a bath 🛁 but that doesn’t compare to her/him grabbing your ear, pulling your face close and giving you a good grooming.
Oh my goodness yes! My Avery doesn’t do this, but I’ve heard a lot of cats actually do! So terribly cute and 100% the most obvious way of your cat telling you you’re appreciated! Wish I thought to add this myself! 🙂 Thanks for the comment Patricia!