Cute cat love

Purring on or near you is a huge indication your cat loves you, though in recent years there’s been chitchat among cat experts that purring could mean a lot more. Just after being born, when kittens can’t see anything, they purr to communicate with littermates and make sure their mother can find them at feeding time. When they purr in adulthood, it’s thought that felines are expressing contentment and happiness (as it typically happens during snuggle sessions). However, some people have noticed a correlation between purring and fear. Cats actually use their own purrs to calm themselves down in stressful situations. Which, if you ask us, is pretty resourceful.

Though cats rely more often on nonverbal cues with each other, they have lots to say to us. us. If you hear yowls or hisses, it’s not exactly a sign they’re pleased to see you. However, meows, chirps and trills can all indicate your cat is ready to play. It’s basically a text that says, “You’re the best, can we hang out today?” If she sits there, staring at you and meows, it might be more of an attention thing, like, “Hello? You never texted me back. Let’s do something!”

Cats are so subtle that a neutral expression can mean they’re ecstatic to see you. According to the Cornell Feline Health Center at Cornell University, a calm cat displays relaxed whiskers and ears pointed upwards, facing forward. In contrast, anxious or aggressive cats would point ears and whiskers backwards or flatten them against their head. Calm expressions mean everything’s good and they enjoy being in your presence (they’re just not going to alert the media).

Another way the AAFP states cats communicate is through smell. Cats release pheromones when they rub their faces on stuff, essentially marking something as their own. If your cat rubs her face against your leg or forces her face into your hand while she’s lounging on your lap, this is her way of telling other cats to find their own human, this one’s taken. Also known as head bunting, this behavior melds your two scents together, creating an inseparable bond to everyone else’s noses. Ca-ute!

The Humane Society notes that a tail straight up in the air when the rest of the cat’s fur is flat and his expression is calm means…happiness! So, if your kitty has made a habit of parading around the house tail up, reminding you of Aunt Gayle’s paintings from Bob’s Burgers, know it’s his way of expressing joy.