Does Your Cat Actually Like You? 20 Subtle Signs of True Love

If you compare your cat to a dog, you will always feel disappointed. Dogs scream their love from the rooftops; cats whisper it.

Because they are solitary hunters by nature, cats don't have the same social instincts as pack animals. They don't need to please you. That means when a cat shows you affection, they aren't doing it for survival or hierarchy. They are doing it because they genuinely choose you.

You might think your cat is just tolerating you for the food, but science says otherwise. Here are 20 undeniable signs that you are their favorite person.

The "Body Language" of Love

1. The Slow Blink: This is a "cat kiss." In the wild, closing your eyes is dangerous. By looking at you and slowly closing their eyes, they are saying "I trust you enough to lower my defenses."
2. The Question Mark Tail: When a cat approaches you with their tail held high and the tip curled over like a hook or question mark, it is a sign of happiness and a friendly greeting.
3. The Head Bunt (Bunting): When they smash their head into your leg or face, they are depositing pheromones from glands on their cheeks. They are marking you as "Safe" and "Mine."
4. Showing the Belly: The stomach is their most vulnerable spot. If they roll over and show it to you, they feel 100% safe. Warning: This is usually a visual display of trust, not a request for a belly rub.
5. Kneading (Making Biscuits): Kittens knead their mothers to stimulate milk. Adult cats do it when they feel the same comfort, safety, and love they felt as a baby.
6. The "Prrp" Sound: That little trilling or chirping sound they make when you walk into a room? That is a greeting specifically reserved for friends.
7. Purring: While cats can purr when stressed, a soft, rhythmic purr while resting near you is a sign of pure contentment.
8. Cheek Rubbing: Similar to head bunting, rubbing their gums or cheeks on you is a way of mixing their scent with yours to create a "colony scent."
9. Licking You: This is allogrooming. In a cat colony, only bonded members groom each other. They are treating you like family (and maybe saying you need a bath).
10. Gentle Nipping: If they are playing and gently nibble your hand without breaking skin, it is a "love bite." It shows they have bite inhibition and are being careful with you.

The "Stalker" Behavior (Proximity)

11. Following You: If your cat follows you from room to room (even into the bathroom), they aren't stalking you. They are "patrolling" with you. It is a social bonding activity.
12. Sleeping Near You: They could sleep anywhere, but they choose your lap, your desk, or your feet. They are choosing your company over solitude.
13. Sleeping on Your Clothes: If they curl up on your dirty laundry, don't be grossed out. They love your scent because it makes them feel calm. For more on their sleepy quirks, check out our guide on cat sleeping positions.
14. Sitting With Their Back to You: This looks rude, but it is actually huge trust. A predator would never turn its back on a threat. They know you have their back.
15. Waiting at the Door: If they are sitting by the door when you come home, they likely learned your schedule and were waiting for your return.

The "Weird" Gifts

16. Bringing Dead Prey: They aren't trying to scare you. They think you are a terrible hunter (since they never see you catch mice), so they are bringing you food to make sure you don't starve.
17. Bringing Toys: If they drop a toy mouse in your shoe or on your bed, it is the indoor version of bringing you prey. It is a gift.
18. Eating Only When You Are There: Some cats are "social eaters" and feel safer eating when their trusted guardian is watching out for predators.
19. Tail Wrapping: If they wrap their tail around your leg or another cat's tail, it is the feline equivalent of holding hands.
20. Choosing You Over Food: If you come home and they greet you before running to the food bowl, that is true love.

How do I tell my cat I love him?

Speak their language. The best way is to "Slow Blink" at them. Look at them, slowly close your eyes, and open them again. This signals safety. Also, grooming them (brushing) mimics the social bonding of a colony.

Do cats miss their owners?

Yes. Studies show cats form secure attachments to their owners similar to dogs and babies. If you are gone for a long time, they may show signs of separation anxiety, like urinating on your bed or refusing to eat.

Why does my cat sleep on my head?

Your head is the warmest part of your body (heat rises) and also the most stationary part while you sleep. Plus, it smells the most like "you" (shampoo and scalp oils), which provides comfort.

Final Thoughts

Cats are often misunderstood as cold or aloof. But once you learn their language, you realize they are incredibly affectionate creatures. They just don't give their love away for free; you have to earn it. And that makes it worth so much more. Even the cat loaf can be a sign of trust if they do it right next to you.