5 Ways to Say I Love You to Your Cat

Somehow, cats have gotten the 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 he catches sight of you, he won’t jump up and down and lick you ecstatically, and he doesn’t wag his 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 him.

Maybe it’s the way your cat just always happens to find his way into the room that you’re in or the way that he 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 he loves you. How can you return his displays of affection so that he understands what you are trying to tell him? Here are a few purr-fect ways to let your cat know how much he means to you.

5 Ways to Say I Love You to Your Cat

1. Gaze Lovingly Into His Eyes

Your cat might not appreciate being showered with kisses (and he may think you’re a little crazy if you try), but you can “kiss” him kitty style by meeting his 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 his level, meeting his gaze, and blinking back at him. Kitty will know exactly what you are trying to say.

2. Mimic His Voice

If you’re the parent of a chatty kitty, you may notice that he has special meows, coos, or trills that he reserves especially for the humans that he’s close to. Imitate his sounds during a tender moment. He will understand it as a display of affection from you, and you’ll be helping him feel safe, secure, and loved.

3. Let Him Rub On You

Have you ever wondered why your cat rubs against your leg or butts his head against you? Cats have special scent glands located on their cheeks and heads. When your kitty rubs against you, he’s paying you the ultimate compliment of leaving his scent behind and claiming you as part of his family.

You can accept this gesture by allowing him to claim you. Lean into his little kitty head bonks, nuzzle your face into his, and don’t move away as he’s winding himself 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 his nose to give him the opportunity to rub his cheeks along your hand.

4. Groom Him

Grooming is another way cats spread their scent to create a sense of family and belonging. While imitating his 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” him human style. Try brushing him gently, or even just petting him if he seems to prefer that. Some cats even enjoy having a warm, damp cloth rubbed along their heads and backs, since it takes them back to the tongue baths their moms gave them when they were kittens.

5. Don’t Skip the Vet

Okay, so your cat may not interpret a trip to the vet as a sign of affection, but he 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 his health so that he can enjoy a long, happy life with his 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!