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Somehow, cats have gotten a reputation for being distant and aloof. And yet any of us who has had a special bond with one of these amazing creatures know that this is anything but the case.
Sure, cats aren’t as obvious as dogs about the ways that they show affection. Your cat will never wriggle with excitement when she catches sight of you, she won’t jump up and down and lick you ecstatically, and she doesn’t wag her tail with unbridled joy at the mention of the word “walk”. But there are plenty of more subtle ways that are a dead give away that your feline friend adores you just as much as you love her.
Maybe it’s the way your cat just always happens to find her way into the room that you’re in or the way that she insists upon always sleeping on your head at night. (No one said cats’ ways of showing affection are the most convenient or comfortable for their parents!) But deep down, you know she loves you. How can you return her displays of affection so that she understands what you are trying to tell her? Here are a few purr-fect ways to let your cat know how much she means to you.
5 Ways to Say I Love You to Your Cat
1. Gaze Lovingly Into Her Eyes
Your cat might not appreciate being showered with kisses (and she may think you’re a little crazy if you try), but you can “kiss” her kitty style by meeting her loving gaze. One way that cats show affection is by looking at someone they trust and slowly closing their eyes. You can return this display by getting on her level, meeting her gaze, and blinking back at her. Kitty will know exactly what you are trying to say.
2. Mimic Her Voice
If you’re the parent of a chatty kitty, you may notice that she has special meows, coos, or trills that she reserves especially for the humans that she’s close to. Imitate her sounds during a tender moment. She will understand it as a display of affection from you, and you’ll be helping her feel safe, secure, and loved.
3. Let Her Rub On You
Have you ever wondered why your cat rubs against your leg or butts her head against you? Cats have special scent glands located on their cheeks and heads. When your kitty rubs against you, she’s paying you the ultimate compliment of leaving her scent behind and claiming you as part of her family.
You can accept this gesture by allowing her to claim you. Lean into her little kitty head bonks, nuzzle your face into hers, and don’t move away as she’s winding herself around your legs. You may even be able to initiate the behavior yourself to some extent. While it’s probably not going to go well if you try to head butt your cat, you can extend your index finger towards her nose to give her the opportunity to rub her cheeks along your hand.
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4. Groom Her
Grooming is another way cats spread their scent to create a sense of family and belonging. While imitating her actions exactly wouldn’t be a good idea (unless you want to wind up with a mouth full of fur) you can still show your love by “grooming” her, human style. Try brushing her gently, using a de-shedding tool like this one. Or, you can pet her with a pair of grooming gloves like 
5. Don’t Skip the Vet
Okay, so your cat may not interpret a trip to the vet as a sign of affection, but she won’t hold it against you either! And even though going to the vet is probably not your cat’s favorite thing to do, it is paws down one of the best ways you can show you care.
Cats are masters at hiding signs of sickness and discomfort. Without regular visits to the vet, you could miss an important chance to diagnose and treat small health issues before they become big ones. Say “I love you” to your cat by taking care of her health so that she can enjoy a long, happy life with her favorite human!
You can keep tabs on kitty’s health between vet visits. This printable cat health checklist shows you how 5 minutes, once a month could be the key to spotting issues early and keeping your cat healthy. Download your free copy today!
