10 signs your cat really loves you

A cat doesn't bark with joy or wag its tail when it sees you. Its affection is more discreet, but easy to read once you know its language. Here are 10 signs that don't lie, including one that researchers have measured scientifically.

What are the 10 telltale signs?

1. It follows you from room to room

A cat that walks with you to the kitchen or bathroom isn't watching you: it is seeking your company.

2. It head-bumps you

By rubbing its head or cheeks against you, it leaves its scent through the glands on its face. It is marking you as part of its family.

3. It greets you with its tail up

A straight tail, sometimes curled at the tip like a question mark, is a friendly hello in cat language.

4. It blinks slowly at you

This is the surprising one: the "slow blink" is a real message. Researchers at the universities of Sussex and Portsmouth (Humphrey et al., Scientific Reports, 2020) showed that cats return slow blinks to their owners more often when the owner does it first, and approach a stranger more readily after "talking" to them this way. Try it: look at your cat, narrow your eyes gently, then close them slowly.

5. It shows you its belly

The belly is a cat's most vulnerable area. If it rolls on its back near you, it is a sign of trust. It is not necessarily an invitation to stroke it there.

6. It kneads your lap

This gesture comes from nursing: kittens knead their mother's belly. As adults, cats do it again when they feel good and safe.

7. It purrs against you

Purring usually goes with well-being, especially with a relaxed body and half-closed eyes. Careful: a cat can also purr when in pain, hence the importance of context.

8. It sleeps near you

Asleep, it is defenceless: choosing your lap, your bed or your feet means trusting you with its safety.

9. It "gives" you its prey

A lizard on the doormat or a toy dropped at your feet: not pleasant, but it is social behaviour. Don't scold it; thank it and discreetly remove the gift.

10. It talks to you

The little meows, trills and "mrrr" when you get home are a conversation. The more you answer, the more it talks.

Frequently asked questions

My cat does none of this. Doesn't it love me?

Every cat has its own temperament. Some are very demonstrative; others show attachment simply by staying in the same room as you.

Is gentle nibbling a sign of love?

Gentle nibbling while being stroked can be affectionate, but it often means "that's enough". Watch the tail and ears.

Read more: adopting a cat in Morocco.

Sources: Humphrey T., Proops L., McComb K. et al., "The role of cat eye narrowing movements in cat–human communication", Scientific Reports, 2020 (universities of Sussex and Portsmouth); general feline ethology.