One of the many subtle ways cats express their love for us is through their tail. Animal behaviourist Marilyn Krieger says that a curved tail, wagging and wagging a little, is the real I love you cat. In addition, a tail wrapped around an arm or leg is a cat trying to hold hands.
Unfortunately, we humans do not have the same body as quadrupeds to express our feelings in this way. However, there are some other signals of affection that we can mimic to show that a cat cares for us.
Slowly blink your eyes
Renowned feline therapist Jackson Galaxy uses this technique to persuade frightened cats to trust him on his Animal Planet and My Cat From Hell shows. You can also apply this simple technique in your everyday life to express your love for your cat. These slow blinks are called cat kisses. Your furry friends will know you love them if you copy this gesture. When the cat next to you relaxes, move down to its eyes level and mimic its sleepy, slow blinks.
Mix the scents
Want to find out if your cat wants to be your friend? Krieger recommends extending your index finger at the level of your cat’s nose. If the animal puts its nose to your fingertip, you can count on friendship. Next, the cat will rub its cheek against your hand to get in touch with your scent – a sure sign of friendship and trust. You can practise this regularly at home with your pets. Firstly, it shows that you are ready to communicate in a language that cats understand. Secondly, you are also giving the cat the opportunity to stay out of the game if it doesn’t want to, which is something that these animals appreciate in people.
Try talking
Recent studies have shown that cat voices are much more varied and complex than most people think. In fact, domestic cats are much more talkative than their stray counterparts, a fact that, according to zoopsychologists, reflects their desire to communicate with us in a language we can understand. Our cats have the ability to do thisa set of sounds and intonations that they use to communicate with their beloved host. When the cat wants to talk, try to reproduce the pitch and tone of its sounds. This, together with physical cues, will help reassure the cat that it is safe and loved.
Mimic a fur wash
Although some cats are not prone to such expressions of affection, some cats do make an effort to bathe their humans in the same way they bathe their feline friends. If a cat decides to lick you, consider it a basic sign of affection and don’t be in a hurry to chase it away. It is true that few people dare to lick a cat in return. Rather, try putting a warm, damp cloth on the kitten’s head and back. It will feel like the mother cat’s motherly care in childhood. A soft brush also works as long as the fur is healthy and not tangled.