Do you have a cat? Well, then you must have seen him rubbing his face on practically anything and everything. Ever wondered why does a cat rub its face on everything? You may consider a cute behaviour, but wait. It has a reason backed by science. Let us explore the prime causes why your cat rubs its head on every stuff.
The primary reason a cat rubs its face on any stuff is to mark its territory and claim ownership of the things that does so on. When your cat rubs its head and cheeks on anything, it is claiming that this particular thing is its own and this is done to keep other cats away.
Why do cats rub their faces on everything?
Here are a few prime causes for your cat rubs its face on everything. We will check out the vet-verified reasons for this weird, yet cute feline behaviour.
It is leaving its scent on things
Your cat rubs its cheeks on thins and even on the floor to leave its scent and let other cats know that it’s their own place. The scent may also make the cat find how long another cat has been at that particular space. When a cat smells a recently left scent, it will leave the place immediately.
Cats have scent glands on their cheeks. When a cat rubs against you or anything with its cheeks, it is simply leaving its scent on you and marking you as its own. This process is called bunting.
They are showing affection
Cats rub their heads against humans as a mark of affection. You might have seen cats bunting their heads against each other. This process is called Head Boops. You would do it with your legs, hands or any other part of your body to show its affection to you.
Cats do it as a form of greeting as well. If you have observed the cats that live in social groups, you would find them rubbing their heads against one another. When you witness your cat bringing its face very close to you, it should mean a great way of showing bonding.
He wants to get your attention
At times, your cat may rub against you or any other thing to indicate that he wants you to pay attention to him. Of course, the need for attention may vary from one cat to another.
Some of the cats may be too needy for love, and some others may be a little less needy. Many cats use the sign of bunting to demand food, scratches, or just a little cuddling.
It may also be a sign of anxiety
It is observed that anxiety can cause cats to rub their faces on things. This is done to relieve stress. They are trying make themselves feel safe.
However, anxiety may manifest itself in many other ways along with bunting. These signs include consistent meowing, increased heartbeat, and other signs. If you find cat rub his face and does not show any other signs, it may not be due to anxiety.
They may be looking to mate
Yet another reason why cats rub their face or bunt their head anything is when it is looking to mate. This is more true with a female cat as opposed to male cats. They are simply leaving their scent on things that they frequent.
This is a technique used by the female cats to let the other male cats in the vicinity to know that they are available for mating. In this case, the female cat leaves pheromones to attract the male cats. If that is the case with your cat and you do not want your cat to get pregnant, make sure to check every door and window to stop it from getting away.
In Conclusion
Well, there are several reasons why cats often rub on everything in sight. Of course, every cat is different. There are times when it may not be easy to decipher the reasons for why cats like to rub against things. It is something only your cat knows.
Nevertheless, the discussion above should give you a good idea to understand your cat’s behavior in a better way.
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