They mark territory
Cats have many scent glands on their faces. They are found around the mouth, on the chin, on the cheeks, on the neck and on the ears. When a cat rubs its face against an object, it leaves behind a scent - this is called butting. The height of the object determines how much of the head will be used. These animals also tend to choose conspicuous objects, such as a protruding corner, a wall, the edge of a coffee table or sofa, or even the corner of a book or box. Males tend to mark more things. They also tend to cover up odors left by their fellow creatures.
How does this happen?
We also advise you to take a closer look at how two cats who sympathize with each other behave. They “knock” their foreheads in the same way, and sometimes even intertwine their tails. At the same time, animals can purr sweetly and make other interesting sounds. When the cat leaves the room, its smell remains in the air for quite some time. So other pussies will quickly realize that the place is occupied or was occupied. Amy Shojai, a specialist whom we often refer to in our publications, regards “butting” as a way to consolidate territorial claims. With the small exception that with “territorial” marks, unique odors are usually applied to inanimate objects. And “butting” the owner is, rather, a great way to say: “You are only mine and no one else’s.”
The cat rubs against its legs: should we wean it or encourage it?
If the pet is healthy and has a nice coat, then confusion underfoot should be treated favorably, except for the following cases:
- Begging . When your pet has received his allotted portion of food and asks for more, you should not follow his lead. It is necessary to distribute food distribution so that the cat eats less during the day and more in the evening. To ensure a good, healthy sleep at night. If the cat receives ready-made food, but begs for pieces of meat or fish when cutting it, it is better not to give it. It has been observed that when fed premium or higher prepared foods, cats get sick less and live longer.
- The sterilized cat began to rub herself. An unspayed female may have bred nearby. In order not to provoke sexual behavior, you need to leave.
- The pet is trying to pity the owner and allow him into the child’s bedroom or room, where he is not allowed to enter. What to do? Ignore. The cat will understand that his attempts are not being followed and will stop bothering him.
Symptomatic treatment
If, along with friction, other alarming symptoms appear, the cat should be shown to a specialist. When the correct diagnosis is made and after adequate treatment, the pathological friction will disappear.
To eliminate allergic itching, you need to identify the allergen and eliminate it from the animal’s life as quickly as possible. To quickly relieve symptoms, antihistamines are prescribed.
If the friction is associated with stress or excessive anxiety of the cat, it should be calmed down. Light preparations in the form of valerian or motherwort will have a beneficial effect on the animal.
When abrasions and scratches appear on the animal’s body due to pathological friction, they should be treated with antibacterial drugs, but strictly after consulting a specialist.
It also wouldn’t hurt to introduce a complex of vitamins and microelements into your diet. Thanks to this, the fur on the damaged area will be restored, the animal will get stronger, and the cat’s mood will improve.
I love you like a cat
The most pleasant part of cat signals consists of furry's declarations of love for his person. After all, it is also an instinctive desire to give affection and feel mutual care and love, since for a cat, its people are its pack.
And for this he has a whole arsenal of ways:
- Paw pawing – the cat rubs its paws over your body, slightly releasing its claws. At the same time, he can purr peacefully. This is a habit from childhood, like the kitten kneaded its mother’s belly.
- Gifts - a dead mouse or a bird in a slipper indicates a desire to please, to prove your love and devotion. This is how the cat shares its prey, a toy, and shows its human what a dexterous and brave hunter he is. Be sure to praise the animal for its feat.
- Looks into the eyes for a long time - this is a cat's kiss. If the cat also slowly squints its eyes, then it really likes you.
- Exposing his tummy is the highest degree of trust, because this is how the cat reveals the most unprotected part of his body to you. He is calm and comfortable with you. But don’t delude yourself: very often, when you reach out to your stomach, you come across a tricky “bite”. There is no need to be offended, such is the cat’s nature - now you have been caught for a game.
- Biting - a sudden attack, pawing and biting indicate a playful mood and the perception of you as a wonderful playmate. Sometimes a cat may not calculate the force of the bite, because cat skin is stronger than human skin, but there is no point in scolding for this - the cat will not understand why.
- Purring - if a cat next to you “starts its engine”, this is love. Sometimes a cat may purr to calm itself.
- Stalking - the cat follows you around when it wants attention and at the same time protects you from potential danger. And sometimes she reminds you that it’s time to have a snack.
To show cat feelings, the pet may begin to rub against the owner’s legs. I want to prolong this extremely pleasant behavior and not think at all about the reason for its occurrence. Why does he do this and is everything so clear for the cat himself?
Why does a cat rub against a person?
Felinologists note that a cat rubs against its owner’s legs to leave its own unique scent, show affection, or soothe.
It is recommended to encourage the actions of a pet, since an animal that does not receive reciprocal affection will harbor a grudge.
Researchers studying the therapeutic effects of pet therapy speak positively about the effect of purring cats and kittens on the human central nervous system and the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract.
Instinctive behavior
If the cat does not purr or touch its legs with its paw, this means that the animal is expressing distrust, dissatisfaction with the poor conditions in the apartment, or is angry.
Most often, felines rub their heads against human legs 1-2 times a day - in the morning and in the evening. The main reason why a cat rubs itself around its owner, according to felinologists, is to leave marks.
On the cat's face, on the sides of the frontal zone, there are temporal glands that secrete an odorous secretion.
The unique smell, which is not distinguished by the human sense of smell, will be felt by the nose of another animal, therefore the cat is obliged to rub against all surfaces in the apartment, marking the territory.
The cat perceives a person as his property, and therefore constantly rubs his muzzle against his legs, as if against objects, against corners and a bowl. It shows ownership and scares away other members of the cat family. The longer a person is away from home, the more intensely the cat rubs itself on the legs of the pants, as the aroma fades over time.
Other explanations
If a pet puts its head on the owner’s lap, it means that he is trying to improve his condition.
Felinologists also identify the following reasons why a pet rubs against a person’s legs and caresses:
- Treatment. Research conducted at the Max Planck Institute for Human Development has found that cats go after sick people to make them feel better. When a cat pokes its nose into its legs, purrs or lays its head on its knees, it is trying to relieve fatigue, relieve pain and relieve stress.
- Studying. When a person brings various unfamiliar smells into the house, cats intensively sniff and touch clothes, and sometimes poke into the hand to study them better.
- The joy of meeting. If the animal purrs, raises its butt and quivers its tail when it buries its mouth on its legs or face, this means positive emotions and gratitude that the owner has returned home.
- Waiting for affection. A street kitten or a cat that previously lived in the house pets you, asks to be held, and touches your pant legs with its paws to show goodwill, gain attention and protection.
- Removing bad energy. Esoteric teachings, which attribute increased sensitivity to energy flows to cats, claim that kittens and adult cats take away the bad power of Sha and transfer it to the ground.
- Destroying other cats' marks. The animal wipes away other people's odors and marks the owner with its saliva.
Why shouldn't it be driven away?
According to superstitions, cats rub and give paws only to good people, and guests who harbor a grudge will be ignored or attacked. After contact with a bad person, the animal usually wipes itself for a long time and licks its paws.
Rubbing against the owner's face is considered a particularly valuable sign of attention from a pet.
It is not recommended to drive away a pet that approaches with good intentions for the following reasons:
- The cat will hold a grudge. Animals cuddle, showing care and love, and therefore an aggressive or indifferent reaction from the owner will upset them. The cat needs to be petted and encouraged. It is especially important to pay attention if your pet rubs its muzzle against its face.
- Refusing treatment provided by a pet is stupid. The animal will quickly relieve fatigue and give strength.
- According to early Orthodox traditions, felines should be respected because animals have holiness. If a cat rubs against a person, then this is a favorable sign, indicating the protection of higher powers, which should not be disrespected.
Is there any harm?
Cats that rub their noses on people do not cause harm to health, but they often leave traces of saliva. If the owners do not like to constantly wash their clothes, this behavior will cause discomfort. Copious secretion of saliva, which fills the mouth in a few seconds, indicates overexcitation of the animal’s central nervous system.
It is recommended to show the cat to a veterinarian if the cat first rubs against its legs, smearing its pant legs with saliva, and then lies down on the floor and falls asleep. Sleep is usually restless, and the animal constantly twitches its paw.
Due to overwork, cats become apathetic, coordination is impaired, heart rate increases, and breathing becomes difficult.
To relieve negative symptoms, veterinarians prescribe pheromones, which can be purchased from pet stores. When a cat sniffs the products sprayed indoors, it calms down. For severe neurological disorders, the use of feline sedative medications is indicated. To accurately identify diseases, it is necessary to take a urine and blood test.
Source: https://InfoKotiki.ru/soderzhanie/deystvia/pochemu-koshka-tretsya-ob-cheloveka.html
The Inexplicable Behavior of Cats
The pet curled up into a ball and hid its face in its paws, you opened the closet and took out a warm sweater... after all, this is a sign, such behavior promises cold. You'd be surprised how many superstitions are associated with cats. For example, in ancient Rus', a cat was allowed into the baby’s cradle so that it could lie down and rub itself. Afterwards the child was put to bed, and he slept soundly.
A cat that rubbed itself against the guest’s legs suggested that the person came with good intentions and did not keep a stone in his bosom. Perhaps this is an exaggeration, but it’s not for nothing that they say that purrs see the energy of people, and they immediately smell cruel and vile bipeds... they scream, hiss and even attack them.
The ginger cat that rubs at your feet absorbs all the negative energy. Why exactly red is unknown. Most likely, this is due to another sign that sunny cats bring happiness, wealth and good luck to the owner. Again, the red cat brings peace to the family and eliminates conflicts, calming down the “separated” husband or wife.
Why you can't shoo away cats when they rub against you
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A cat is an affectionate, dependent and at the same time freedom-loving animal. Each person takes a small pet into their home for different reasons. Some people need a cat to catch mice, others to absorb negative energy, and still others bring a pet into the house as a full member of the family. But everyone has undoubtedly observed the phenomenon when a cat rubs against a person and surrounding objects.
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Why do cats rub against different objects?
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Absolutely all pets rub against everything in the house, thus the pets mark their territory.
After such a walk around, objects in the house receive a smell familiar to the animal. And when everything in the house smells like a cat, she feels safe. For a person, this smell is invisible, but if a strange cat gets into the house, it will clearly feel that it has entered someone else’s territory. With people it’s a different story. Cats rub against their owners for two reasons.
1. The cat marks the owner
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When cats rub against their owners' legs, they leave their scent on them.
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If a cat rubs its muzzle, body, tail against a person’s legs, and at the same time purrs, it means it is marking you too.
Pets regard their owners as part of their territory, so the scent of your pet must be present on you.
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Sometimes cats pee in their owners' shoes. Many people have a negative attitude towards this, but the explanation for this is quite simple. The pet urinates in shoes to leave its scent on the owner. It’s inconvenient to pee on the owner himself, but in slippers it’s just the thing.
2. The cat shows concern
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Such a gesture can be a manifestation of concern for the owner. Scientists have proven that a cat rubs against its owner, thereby relieving him of poor health, mood and anger.
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This behavior can be easily noticed when returning from work. The pet meets you and begins to rub against you. It removes from the owner all the negative energy that he has accumulated outside the home.
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Why can't you drive a cat away from you?
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There are three opinions: why you shouldn’t drive pets away from you:
• By rubbing against you, wrapping its tail around your leg, the cat shows its care and love towards you. If you drive an animal away from you, you will greatly upset it and cause it pain.
Most often, cats treat their owners like parents. They cuddle up to you, trample you with their paws, and purr when you pet them. A kitten behaves exactly the same way with its mother.
And when you drive away your pet, you leave him perplexed: why is the person closest to me driving me away?
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• People are skeptical about the second version. They say that cats can heal. Some people don’t believe this, but others are convinced of this every day.
In our country, this is not given much attention, but in Western countries there is even “animal therapy” and “pet therapy”. Translated, this means treatment with animals.
When a cat rubs against your legs, it not only removes negative energy, it also relieves fatigue from them. Therefore, you should not drive away an animal that is trying to help you and ease your suffering.6:1454
Cat and Christianity
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The third option reminds us of the attitude towards cats in Christianity.
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• In Orthodoxy, domestic cats have always been revered and respected. In the houses they were given a good and cozy place. The cats were never beaten or abused.
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• Christians considered cats to be great divine creatures who escorted the dead to the world of death. • There were beliefs among the people that such pets were marked by the Virgin Mary herself.
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Cat with the letter M
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• In references to the early stages of Christianity, cats were depicted next to saints, so people often prayed to them. • During the plague epidemic, Francis of Assisi was saved by a cat from a rat that was infected with the plague.
From that moment on, services began to be held in churches in honor of these pets.
• There is an unusual story in history about the city of Limassol. This city was attacked by snakes. And it was cats who saved the city from the invasion of these reptiles.
Since that time, many cats have lived in this city. They are revered, respected and pampered with tasty treats.
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Conclusion
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Many people do not believe in all this, but some respectfully accept all these versions. But everyone agrees on one thing. If you have adopted a cat in your home, then the responsibilities of raising and caring for it fall on your shoulders. If, when a cat shows love, you respond in kind, then your pet will thank you more than once by catching a mouse or relieving the tension from your legs.
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Source: https://jenskiymir.com/zhivoy-mir/domashnie-lyubimcy/7067-pochemu-nelzya-otgonyat-koshek-kogda-oni-trutsya-ob-tebya.html
The kitten expresses love and seeks reciprocal affection
The desire of adult cats to place their scent marks everywhere is quite understandable, but why then do small kittens, who are clearly not yet mature enough to make territorial claims, also rub against their owner’s legs? Felinologists have an opinion on this matter as well.
When an animal rubs its muzzle against someone, it not only transfers its scent to the object, but also performs an important social ritual. In this way, for example, a mother cat communicates with her offspring. For them, the touching of their faces is a way to make sure each other is feeling well, express trust, communicate their readiness to care, and instill a sense of security.
If a kitten gets in the owner’s face or rubs against his neck, this means that the baby subconsciously associates the person caring for him with his mother and expresses love for him in the way he is used to. You need to pet the baby in return. Establishing contact at this level is a very good sign, indicating that a strong trusting relationship will be formed between the animal and its owner in the future.
Visual thinking and mind reading
Communication between cats mainly occurs at the level of mental images, supported by sounds and body movements. They invented a kind of slang for people, but they communicate with each other in their native cat language.
Cats have something like hypnosis and are even able to instill fear in their opponents. Cats can sometimes read the thoughts of their owners, because sometimes you don’t have time to think about the pet, and he’s already right there.
Cat owners have long known this ritual: when they enter the house, the tailed pet immediately runs out and begins to rub against the legs of its breadwinner. Some consider such actions to be a kind of greeting, others - an expression of the pet’s affection for its owner, and others think that this is how cats beg for food. In fact, such actions of animals are inherent in them at the biological level.
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