If your cat loves to headbutt you, you might be wondering exactly what this means. Does your cat like you, or are they annoyed about something and trying to tell you in their own way?
The good news is that a cat headbutt can usually be seen as a sign of affection. Even if your cat jumps up and headbutts you so hard that your cup of coffee goes flying or your glasses fall off your face, you can be sure your cat is happy to see you.
There can be a few different reasons for a cat headbutt, so let’s take a closer look at this behavior and find out exactly why your cat might be doing it.
What Is a Cat Headbutt?
The technical term for cat headbutting is bunting, or facial marking. You may have seen your cat rubbing their face on the arm of your couch or the side of your bed, and this is one of the ways that cats mark their territory.
A headbutt can look like anything from a brief and gentle contact to a full rub of your cat’s head and cheeks all over a particular surface — and in some cases, you!
Some cats will only headbutt occasionally, and others might not do it at all. So, don’t be offended if your cat doesn’t carry out this behavior.
The 4 Possible Reasons Why Cats Headbutt You
1. Your cat is scent marking you
Cats have quite a few different scent glands on their bodies, but it’s those around the face that come into play when your cat headbutts you. These scent glands can be found on their outer ear flaps, temples, cheeks, corners of the mouth, and under the jaw.
As your cat headbutts and rubs against you, they’re leaving pheromones behind that mark you as “theirs.” If you live with multiple cats, they will all scent mark certain objects to create a colony scent familiar to them all. They may also headbutt each other, leaving traces of pheromones.
2. They see you as a safe space
Headbutting is used as a form of tactile communication by cats to create affiliate bonds with other cats and humans. Other forms of affiliative tactile communication include rubbing, kneading, nose touching, and mutual grooming.
Cats that headbutt and scent mark their humans are keeping track of the things that they consider safe. Outside, your cat might mark certain locations in their territory to help them find their way back home.
Pheromones create a feeling of comfort and familiarity for cats, helping them feel safe in their environment. If you move to a new house, you can replicate this safe space feeling by using diffusers or sprays that release synthetic pheromones.
3. They may be asking for attention
Once a cat is satisfied that they’ve scent-marked you as theirs, they may also headbutt you when they’re asking for something. If you haven’t given them any attention after you got home from work or their food bowl is empty, you might find your cat headbutting your legs and requesting attention!
4. Your cat trusts you
For your cat to headbutt you, on your face or anywhere else, it shows that they’re bonded with you. A cat getting this close shows that they trust you and they want to show that they respect you. Depending on your cat’s personality, they may quickly come and say hello to a new person or be shy and timid when strangers come around.
Most cats will spend some time getting to know someone before giving them a headbutt, so if you get one, feel honored!
The difference between head pressing and headbutting
If you see your cat pressing their head against the wall or other solid item, this is not the same as headbutting. Head pressing is usually a sign that something is wrong with your cat’s central nervous system, and they’ll need urgent veterinary attention to help figure out the exact problem.
Head pressing will last much longer than a headbutt and may be accompanied by strange behavior, like your cat circling or seeming disoriented.
Wrapping it up
Now we know a few of the reasons that your cat might headbutt you, and it’s all to do with them feeling comfortable and safe and wanting to mark their territory. They might sometimes give you a little headbutt when they want something, but they’re only likely to do this to people they already know and trust.
So, while your cat’s headbutt might be soft and gentle or strong enough to knock your glasses off, it’s a sure sign of affection from your furry friend.
Featured Image: Sari ONeal, Shutterstock
