Why is my cat rubbing her face on everything and purring

Most cat parents have experienced their cat rubbing its face on things. In fact, humans love when cats come over and rub their heads against them. It feels like a way for your cat to show he loves you, but is that really the reason why a cat rubs their face against you?

Table of Contents Show

• How and Why Do Cats Nuzzle?
• Marking Territory
• Why Doesn't My Cat Nuzzle Me?

Cats have scent glands in certain areas of the body, and their head region has several by their chin, mouth, ears, neck, and cheeks. Scent glands can also be found on a cat's paws and along its tail. When a cat rubs a scent gland against something or someone, they are leaving their pheromones, or scent, behind to "mark" that person or thing. It's a way that cats claim territory and communicate this information to other cats in the area. Even if you have a single cat household, cats will still do this as part of their instinctual behavior.

Bunting is also a behavior female cats use with male cats when they're in heat. If you have an unfixed female who is rubbing its face and other scent gland areas on you or on objects much more than usual, it's related to her being in estrus. Your cat should return to normal when she's done. On the other hand, in general, male cats tend to bunt objects like walls and furniture more than female cats. This is also related to mating, as establishing territory and making sure other males don't interfere if a female happens to come into heat is important to a male cat, even if they've been fixed.

In a multiple cat household or cat colony, bunting is a way cats will greet each other. By rubbing their scent against other cats in their colony, they are releasing their scent on them. Likewise, they're getting the scent of the other cats on them, and this facilitates social affiliation between cats. It creates a "group" scent that all the cats in the home or colony recognize. If you've ever taken a cat to the groomers or the vet and then returned home to find your other cats unhappy with his or her presence, it's because they lost that group scent from being bathed or from a medical procedure. Brush your other cats and then use that brush to brush the returning cat so the scent will be dispersed on his or her fur.

Bunting also helps cats to get more information about a new person or cat, as rubbing against you allows them to pick up your scent. In these cases, the cat is more likely to rub against a stranger's leg instead of rubbing their face on your face. This form of closeness is reserved for beloved owners with an existing relationship to the cat. Bunting is also considered a form of "timestamp" for cats when it's used on objects, walls, or furniture. Another cat can tell by the scent left behind when a cat was there, and this tells them whether they should be on alert for a run-in with the other cat.

Another reason cats rub their head and face against you is a way to express affection. You can take it as a form of high praise if your cat rubs his head and face on you. This behavior is often accompanied by purring or chirping, which is an additional way to tell your cat is very happy to be with you. You may also see your cat do this behavior with other cats or even other pets like dogs, which is a sign of a harmonious pet household.

Cats can also use bunting to calm themselves when they feel anxious or stressed. By dispersing their scent on objects around them, they are filling the area with their scent, which can make them feel more secure. You may especially see this behavior if you move to a new home or adopt a new cat or kitten. Because the new environment is completely alien to the cat, they will spend a lot of time exploring and rubbing their head and face on furniture, walls, and people to not only establish territory but also make the surroundings feel more familiar and safe.

For the most part, a cat rubbing his face against your face is a clear sign of love and affection. Bunting can also involve territorial and scent marking and mating behavior between cats. Cats can also use this behavior to self soothe and get used to a new environment. Overall, it's a positive behavior that cats owners enjoy and encourage, especially if the cat includes purring and kneading their paws as part of the package.

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Cat nuzzling is a common yet sometimes misunderstood form of cat communication. Often, your cat will nuzzle against your face or neck, maybe while you're snuggling or when you're trying to get some work done. But, why do cats nuzzle? Is it a diversion technique, or is your cat communicating something more?

How and Why Do Cats Nuzzle?

Rub. Nudge. Prod. Cat nuzzling goes by many names, but it refers to the act of rubbing their head against your chin, cheek or neck. You may even be the recipient of a headbutt, known as "bunting," which is quite literally when your cat knocks their forehead against yours. Think of it as the equivalent of a cat fist-bump!

Like other strange cat behaviors that may puzzle pet parents, rubbing their head against you has a purpose. Cats nuzzle to show affection and to mark territory, behaviors that share the common goal of leaving their scent behind.

Affection

Cats have many scent glands on their head, especially in the nose, mouth and chin area; with each rub against you, these glands leave behind a "mark." Rubbing their head all over you is their way of saying, "I love you." In exchange for nuzzling, your cat probably gets a lot of cuddles from you, which is a strong motivator for repeat behavior.

Nuzzling also is how they learn more about you. As Tufts' Animal Behavior Clinic veterinary behaviorist Stephanie Borns-Weil tells the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, your cat may rub on you to show affection, but they also want to "gather information about you." Cats have a very strong sense of smell — much better than their humans' sense — and they use scent as one of their main ways of collecting data about their environment. During nuzzling, your scent transfers to your cat and helps them recognize you, especially when you're first getting to know each other.

Marking Territory

In addition to expressing affection, your cat nuzzles you to mark their territory. This is similar to how a cat may spray to claim ownership of specific areas or objects in your home — but with much less smell and damage.

Identifying you as an important and comforting part of their environment makes sense when you look at where else cats leave their scent. Cat rubbing and bunting "seems to occur especially in the 'core' area of their territory," says International Cat Care, "and appears to be associated with comfort, reassurance and friendly social interactions." This is why your cat rubs against not only you and other animals, but also furniture, walls and favorite toys. It's your cat's world; they just let you live in it.

Why Doesn't My Cat Nuzzle Me?

It's not uncommon for a cat not to nuzzle their human; some cats are just not into obvious demonstrations of affection. It does not mean your cat hates or dislikes you.

Breed factors into your cat's nuzzling behavior. Certain affectionate cat breeds, such as Ragdolls and Maine coons, are known to get up in their human parents' faces frequently. Age can also affect your cat's behavior. For example, kittens tend to be more playful than more senior cats. As they grow older, however, cats generally seek and need more attention, says the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, with many senior cats turning into snuggle-bugs.

Whether you're on the receiving end of a gentle rub or firm headbutt, consider yourself lucky: You are your feline friend's preferred person!

Christine O'Brien

Christine Brovelli-O'Brien, Ph.D., is an award-winning writer, long-time pet mom, and a professional member of the Cat Writers' Association (CWA). Find and follow Christine on Instagram and Twitter @brovelliobrien.

Cats can be a bit standoffish or seem like they are judging you for daring to drink a cup of coffee in their presence without offering them a sip, so it’s always nice when they come and rub their face against your leg. It feels nice and seems affectionate, but cats can be tricky little critters, so are they being sweet or is there something else going on? Turns out it’s a little bit of both.

“When your loving cat comes up and affectionately head butts you, this is his way of bonding with you,” writes Katelyn Schutz at Wisconsin Pet Care’s website. Cats like many animals use pheromones, those naturally-occurring scent chemicals, to communicate to other cats. They use pheromones to mark their territory or bond, as well as delivering other messages. The behavior, which is also known as bunting, can spread those pheromones around broadcasting their feelings or letting other cats know they were there first.

Cats release friendly pheromones from glands in their cheeks and chin, so when your favorite feline is rubbing its face on you, it usually means they are marking you as a friend. “It’s an affectionate gesture that can also be used as a form of greeting,” Dr. Jill E. Sackman, senior medical director for BluePearl Veterinary Partners’ Michigan Region, told PetMD.com. Cat mothers teach their little kittens that head rubbing can be a form of affection, so when they find a human they trust, they rub their heads on them.

It’s similar to when your cat kneads your lap, using the pheromones released by glands near its paw pads to mark you as safe and welcoming. In short, if your furry friend starts rubbing his face on you, take it as a compliment.

That said, not every cat rubbing on you is looking for a lifelong friendship or a good petting. Some are just looking for a little information, according to Dr. Stephanie Borns-Weil, an animal behavior expert, told PetMD.com. Through a good leg rub, cats can apparently suss out where a stranger comes from or help them determine if they have animals of their own. It’s a pretty impressive party trick!

In a blog post for Tufts University’s veterinary school, Borns-Weil noted that cats also bunt when they are anxious. Rubbing their scent around their environment can make “unfamiliar surroundings familiar and thus safer feeling.” Cats also bunt or rub their heads to let other cats know that they are around, which is why male cats tend to bunt on more items than female cats.