While cats are beloved pets, they are sometimes difficult to understand. One of the most confusing behaviors for new cat owners is what it means when a cat headbutts you. It may seem like a sign of aggression, but that isn’t the case. Most of the time, a headbutt means something positive.
If you want to know the answer to the question, “Why do cats headbutt,” then keep reading below. This article covers the 7 reasons why your precious little kitty may be bumping its head against yours.
What Does “Headbutt” Mean?
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There are a few reasons that cats headbutt. It’s a process more often called bunting. Depending on the type of cat and when they do it, the action can have many different meanings. However, most cats won’t do this action unless they feel safe.
So while it may be a little irritating to have your cat headbutt you, other animals, or furniture, it’s a good sign. It means that your cat feels comfortable and safe enough to start calling an area theirs.
Cats have a few scent glands around their face. By rubbing or headbutting against something, they spread a scent. This scent marks the thing as theirs and creates a ‘safe space’ smell that lets them always know they are in no danger where they are.
Not every cat breed bunts though. So if your cat isn’t partaking in this action, don’t feel too bad. It doesn’t mean they are uncomfortable, it’s just not something they do. There are plenty of other ways your cats show that they’re comfortable.
7 Reasons Cats Headbutt
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There are a few reasons cats headbutt. Thankfully, except for one, they are all cute and positive reasons. So you don’t have to worry about stopping your cat from doing it in the future. In fact, it’s best to embrace it, as it represents trust and affection for your cat.
1. Marking You as Theirs and Safe
When people hear this, they often assume your cat is marking you as their property, or claiming ownership. This makes them think that it’s a bad action. However, that’s not quite the case. They are marking you as theirs, but not as a form of ownership or dominance. Instead, they are saying that you are a safe space for them. They trust you and feel safe near you. So as you see, it’s a cute symbol.
2. Showing Affection
Sometimes, cats butt heads as a sign of affection. They are saying they care about you and feel happy and comfortable. It’s not quite so direct as human love, but it’s pretty close. If you want, you can try and bump your head gently against your cat’s as well, to show you reciprocate the feeling.
3. A Sign of Illness
There is only one case where bumping heads is a bad sign. If they are doing it a lot, and it’s something they’ve never done before, it could be a sign of illness. They may be bumping into things, animals, and people on accident because they’re confused and disoriented. If you see other concerning signs, you should take your cat to a vet right away.
4. Testing a New Person
Some cats will bump into people as a sort of test. If it’s their first time coming to the house, your cat may bump them to see how they react. If the new person moves slowly and lets the cat warm up to them, they may soon be best friends. Loud voices and quick reactions may make your cat wary of the new person for quite some time, though.
5. Creating a Colony Scent
When a couple of cats live together, they may headbutt on occasion. This is to create a colony scent. As the scent glands bump into one another, they create a unique scent based on their combined ones. It marks them as friends and is a way to bond and feel more comfortable with one another.
6. To Express Dominance
While bumping heads on occasion is normal, if your cat is doing it to the other cats often, they are likely expressing dominance. On these occasions, it may be a good idea to get involved. However, as long as they aren’t being too annoying or aggressive about it, it’s fine. They may still be feeling each other out and figuring out their place in the colony.
7. Feeling Insecure
If you have other cats, children, or pets in the house, your cat may feel insecure on occasion. A couple of insistent headbutts may indicate that your cat needs a little more affection and love than normal. Make sure you take the time to give them a few good rubs. If you have the time, playing with them for a few minutes is also sure to make them feel better.
