One of the greatest parts of pet ownership is being greeted by your furry companion the minute you walk in the door. A cat greeting is not the same as a dog greeting, and the way your cat greets people can tell a lot about how much she trusts them. Once you know the secrets behind the various greetings cats give, you can have a deeper understanding of how your cat feels about you and other people.
When a stranger comes into your home it's very likely your cat keeps her distance. You may even notice your cat greeting each person in your family differently. Cats are very independent animals and when they do make the effort to greet someone, it is because they trust that person and consider them part of their world. Cats have scent glands on their head and around their ears, and they often rub their heads against people and inanimate objects that they value. They want to rub their scent and get to know your scent, too. When a cat is first testing out whether she should trust someone, she may rub against that person's legs. Sometimes when cats start this rubbing process, strangers think the cat wants to be pet. However, if a person reaches down to pet them right away, chances are the cat will take off and hide. So, if you are lucky enough to have a cat rub against you, enjoy it for a few moments before trying to pet her.
Whether you call it head butting, head bumping or head bunting, when a cat pushes her head against her human, she's showing that they feel an extremely close bond with that human. The head bump is intimate and is saved for a cat's closest pet friends and most trusted humans. Head butting is a little different from just rubbing their head around something. It is a firm push of the head into their human or pet pal. When a cat presses her head into the head of another animal or human, that is the ultimate sign of trust and love.
If your cat doesn't rub against your leg or never head bumps you, that doesn't mean she doesn't like you. Some cats like to lie around and, rather than exert energy to come see you, they will instead roll over and expose their belly. This doesn't mean they want you to come over and rub their belly. Instead, they're showing that they feel safe, and the exposed belly shows they're willing to leave themselves vulnerable. If your cat does this as a way to greet you, talk softly to her, but don't touch her right away. She may move and start doing some rubbing or she may blink at you.
When cats encounter strange humans or other cats they don't know, they usually greet them with an unblinking stare. Slow blinks can be a sign of contentment and affection. You can slowly blink back at your cat and see how long the exchange lasts. This blinking can be a way to bond with your cat without touching her. This is especially important with a new cat or an older cat she may have had some bad experiences before being adopted into your loving home.
Finally, cats communicate with their tails, as well. Many cats use a question mark shaped tail to greet someone they like or to signal they want to play. A tail in the full upright position also indicates familiarity, trust, and affection.
Whether it is tail signals, slow blinks, head bumps, or just leg rubbing, cats show their affection in many ways and greet the people they trust and love with these body language quirks. Understanding these types of greetings can help you better interact with her and strengthen your bond over time.
Chrissie Klinger is an educator, writer and mother of two children, three dogs and three cats. Her dog Jake loves sitting on her lap every chance he gets! She enjoys living an active and eco-friendly lifestyle in rural Pennsylvania.
Natural fiber comfortably reduces hairballs
Delicious taste of gourmet minced turkey in precisely balanced nutrition. Provide a synergistic ingredient blend to help support energy & activity level.
Supports energy level and beautiful fur in mature cats
Low calorie formula with the delicious taste of minced liver & chicken to help promote an ideal body weight
Supports the health of the whole urinary system with optimal levels of magnesium
Supports digestive health, nourishes skin and promotes a lustrous fur
Grain free, easy-to-digest food that is gentle on the stomach. Nourishes skin & promotes lustrous fur.
With delicious chunks in a decadent gravy
Science Diet's breakthrough nutrition supports ultimate digestive well-being & healthy microbiome for cats age 7+
With delicious chunks in a decadent gravy
Precisely balanced nutrition with the delicious taste of savory minced salmon to help fuel the energy needs of cats during the prime of their life
Precisely balanced nutrition with the delicious taste of minced turkey & liver to help fuel the energy needs of cats during the prime of their life
Feline Adult Perfect Weight Variety Pack
With delicious chunks in a decadent gravy
Supports brain health and beautiful fur in mature indoor cats
Delicious tender chicken and rice in a mouthwatering sauce with precisely balanced nutrition to support 5 essential building blocks for lifelong health
Improves Everyday Ability to Get Up & Go
Science Diet's breakthrough nutrition supports ultimate digestive well-being & healthy microbiome
Delicious roasted chicken and rice in a mouthwatering sauce
Get information on whether cheese is safe for your cat, if there are any kinds that are better than others, or if they should avoid this snack altogether.
Learn the needs of your aging kitten. It's nutritional and exercise requirements will start to change as it grows from being a kitten into an adult cat.
Learn why your kitty gets cat zoomies, random bouts of energy that cause them to race through the house, and when zoomies could indicate a health issue.
Learn how to make your own DIY cat stain remover, as well as how to remove cat odors from your home.
Learn the signs, causes and treatment methods of conjunctivitis in cats, as well as if it's a risk for you to catch it from your feline friends.
Learn what's behind your cat's playful biting, whether it's a cause for concern, and how to curtail it if they get a little too rough.
Learn how to turn your surplus of old children's toys into repurposed cat toys, entertaining your cat for hours and saving you money.
Discover some common ways that cats show love for their owners. Learn to recognize these signs of affection, even though they might seem a little bizarre.
Learn how to properly train your new kitten to obey your commands while keeping them happy and healthy.
Use these 4 steps on how to properly brush and provide the right dental care for your cat's teeth.
Many human foods are dangerous to cats. Read about 5 of the worst toxic food offenders that can kill your cat - and how much it takes to hurt them.
If you're a cat parent, you may find yourself saying, "I wonder why my cat's stomach gurgles after they eat." Read on to learn what this gurgling may mean.
Learn how osteoarthritis in cats affects your cat's joints, how to spot the signs and how you can help slow the progression.
Learn important information about FIV in cats, including common symptoms, how it's diagnosed, and management options for cats that have it.
Learn what your cat's meow really means, so you can understand what they are trying to communicate to you.
Just like humans, cats have pet peeves that drive them crazy. Learn common things your cat probably hates and how you can make her feel more comfortable.
Learn important information about giardia in cats, including signs, diagnosis and treatment options for dealing with this parasitic infection.
Learn important tips for choosing cats best suited for apartment living, including what types of living spaces are best for certain breeds of cats.
Learn how to identify and reduce the chances of feline urinary issues by helping alleviate stress in her life.
Learn about your cat's natural sleep cycle and why it doesn't always match your own, as well as why she likes to nap at certain times of the day.
Our low calorie formula helps you control your cat's weight. It's packed with high-quality protein for building lean muscles, and made with purposeful ingredients for a flavorful, nutritious meal. Clinically proven antioxidants, Vitamin C+E, help promote a healthy immune system.
Our low calorie formula helps you control your cat's weight. It's packed with high-quality protein for building lean muscles, and made with purposeful ingredients for a flavorful, nutritious meal. Clinically proven antioxidants, Vitamin C+E, help promote a healthy immune system.
©2025 Hill's Pet Nutrition, Inc. As used herein, denotes registered trademark status in the U.S. only; registration status in other geographies may be different. Your use of this site is subject to the terms of our Legal Statement. About our Ads. Cookie Consent Tool