Why Do Cats Like to Be Pet? 5 Science-Based Reasons (With Infographic)
By Ed Malaker
Updated on
Cats are some of the most remarkable animals in the world. Breeders have been domesticating them for thousands of years, and they now come in all shapes and sizes, from the tiny Munchkin to the enormous Maine Coon.
Cats have many strange behaviors, but the one we get asked about the most is why cats like to be petted. If you, too, are curious about why your cat does this, continue reading while we look at what science has to say, as well as some good guesses to help you understand your pet better.
The 5 Reasons Why Cats Like to Be Pet:
1. It Likes You
Humans have many ways of showing affection for one another, but cats are much more limited. If your cat is rubbing against you and allowing you to pet them, especially if they’re purring, the cat likes you and enjoys your company.
2. It Missed You
If you go to work for several hours or spend a lot of time on a different floor than your cat, you will likely experience them rubbing against you and looking for pets when you see them again. Cats don’t have many ways to greet a human, and no one can be sure, but if your cat comes running to see you when you get home and is looking for pets, there is a good chance they missed you.
3. It’s Marking Its Territory
Cats are territorial creatures who often fight to the death, defending their territory in the wild. Cats mark their territory by spreading pheromones, which are undetectable to humans. They spread the pheromones in various ways, including the pads on their feet, through their urine and anal glands, and, most importantly for us, through their cheeks and skin.
When your cat rubs these parts of their body on you, they deposit scents that other cats can smell. When you pet the cat, it’s like you are marking yourself as part of their territory.
What Are Pheromones?
Pheromones are hard to understand because we can’t smell them, but we know they are part of how cats communicate with each other, and if your cat is rubbing these natural chemicals on you, it’s because they like you.
4. It’s Seeking Attention
Your cat likely sees you as alpha and could be looking for signs of acceptance. When you stop what you are doing to pet your cat, you send a clear message that you accept them and enjoy their company.
Many cats will rub on you and let you pet them when they want you to pay attention to their needs, and it’s often a sign that they are hungry or want to go outside.
5. It Feels Good
Your cat has specialized hair on their face, such as the whiskers, eyebrows, and guard hairs that are sensitive enough to detect a change in wind direction, which helps them pursue prey. The hairs also help your cat navigate small openings and provide other functions.
Petting your cat’s face or allowing them to rub their face against you feels good to them and is a type of massage that helps soothe sensitive hair after a long day.
Not All Cats Like To Be Pet the Same
Not All Cats Like To Be Pet the Same
You don’t need to talk to many cat owners to find one that tells you that their cat doesn’t like when you pet them. While that might be true, some cats prefer you wait for the right time and place and pet them in the right way. If your cat doesn’t appear to like pets, you might need to watch their behavior closely and keep trying at different times to find success.
We have had several cats that only like their head rubbed or under the chin, and they will get up and leave if you try to pet the rest of them. One cat likes to lay on the floor so we can rub their head with our feet, and another prefers to disappear for an hour or two, but they get excited when you come looking for them.
The cat will then press their head on you and roll on the ground so you can pet them. Most people would think that neither of these cats likes to be petted, but the reality is that they both love it when it’s on their terms, and it was easier than you might think to learn what those terms are. Almost all cats have little quirks you learn by spending time with them.
Most Cats Don’t Like Belly Rubs
While you can usually find a way to pet even the most aloof cat with patience and perseverance, you will likely find that even the friendliest cats don’t like it when you rub their belly. They may take the opportunity to shred your arm and hand with their claws.
Some cats will even hold your hand with their front claws and do a bunny kick with their back legs, which can quickly cause considerable damage to your arm. This action will make most children cry, so we recommend teaching the child to avoid the belly at all times.
The belly is where your cat is most vulnerable and is likely a sensitive area to the touch. It’s also highly defendable, unlike their back.
Final Thoughts
We believe that cats rub up against us because they like us and appreciate the home we provide them. They no longer need to hunt for their food or fend off intruders in their territory and are free to lounge around in their favorite spots. They also probably miss us when we are away because we like to give them a lot of attention, and we’re sure that petting them feels good because we can see how they react to it when they allow it.
There’s also the science behind pheromones and territory marking, but we never saw a cat avoid us because another has marked us, so we’re not exactly sure what message the pheromones send. We hope you have enjoyed this short guide and found the answers to your questions. If we have helped you understand your cat better, please share our look into why cats like to be petted on Facebook and Twitter.
Featured Image Credit: Nitiphonphat, Shutterstock
