7/10/25

10 Ways Your Cat Shows Affection and How to Train Your Cat to Obey

Cats express their affection in many ways, including rubbing against you, licking you, head-butting, gentle biting of your fingers, bringing you "gifts", and purring while lying on you.

1. Rubbing Against You

Cats have a keen sense of smell. When they meet you, they might first rub their side against you and then sit down to taste your scent by licking the fur that they just rubbed against. This is a way for your cat to show their affection by marking you with their scent, claiming you as their own. This is similar to head-butting.

2. Licking You

Cats lick as a grooming behavior, similar to how a mother cat licks her kittens. This behavior is not extended to everyone. In their world, they only lick those who are closest to them. If your cat likes to lick you, it means they love you very much. This is a sign of affection. Do not stop your cat when they lick you, as they will think you don’t like them.

3. Head-Butting You

Cats also use scent to mark their territory. They rub the areas of their body with the most scent glands, such as the corners of their mouth and their ears, on objects and people they like to declare "This is mine!". Therefore, when your cat rubs against you, it is a sign that they love you.

4. Gently Biting Your Fingers

Don't be upset, as gently biting your fingers is another way your cat expresses their love. It’s a strange way for us humans, but your cat doesn’t see it that way. Cats tend to gently bite each other when they are affectionate because their skin is much tougher than ours. While you may find it a little painful, it’s a sign of affection.

5. Bringing You "Gifts"

When cats bring you gifts, they are treating you like family, friends, or a loved one. While things like cockroaches and mice are not really things we like, if you don’t accept their presents in a happy manner, they might feel unloved. So, while you gently refuse it, make sure to show you are happy and give them a head rub and some praise. They would not bring you these special "gifts" if they didn’t love you.

6. Purring While Lying on You

Cat owners often hear their cats purr, but you may not know that this represents trust and affection. Although purring can mean different things, when your cat purrs while lying on you, it means they trust you and are showing you their love.

How to Train Your Cat to Obey

1. Choose Suitable Training Treats

When training with food, make sure you do this before mealtimes, or your cat will be too full to cooperate. The treat must be something your cat loves but also easy to chew, preferably small pieces that can be eaten in one or two seconds.

2. Guide Your Cat to Complete Fixed Commands

For example, to teach your cat to shake hands, first, make your cat sit down, and use a toy or treat to raise one paw. As soon as your cat raises a paw, hold their paw, and give them a treat. Say a simple word like "Good" to mark the action as desired. The goal is to have your cat let you hold their paw while they eat the treat. Some cats resist having their paws held, so start with quick touches and gradually increase the time.

3. Repeat Multiple Times to Make it a Habit

Usually, if you repeat step 2 a few times before feeding them, in about a month, your cat will offer their paw when you say "Good" even without the treat. At this point, the "shake hands" training is complete. Consistent training and positive reinforcement are essential for success when training a cat.Free access here:Pet Grooming

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