Why do cats rub against people and objects? Why do cats rub against their legs and objects? Cat rubs hand

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Why does a cat like to rub against people and surrounding objects so much?
Thus, the cat marks the objects located on its territory. This allows her to later recognize them and feel confident in familiar surroundings.

For marking, the cat uses special temporal glands located on both sides of the forehead between the ears and eyes. Similar organs are also found around the lips, more precisely, near their corners (perioral glands). They secrete the secrets that a cat leaves on doors, stair railings and furniture legs when it rubs its head against them, such glands are also on the tail: they also secrete a similar secret that the cat inflicts by raising its tail with a pipe and driving it over the selected object . Glands can also be found around the anus and probably on the paw pads.

Showing its favor to the person, the cat also leaves its marks on him, rubbing his muzzle and tail against him, often purring loudly at the same time. This behavior is one of the signs of affection that kittens show their mother. At the same time, the person the cat rubs against is identified as part of its territory.

Are cats crafty?

Anyone who has lived under the same roof with a cat for a long time knows its habits. And a person who does not have a cat, coming to a house where she is, often does not understand her behavior: what she intends to do, what she prefers, and what she does not like.

For example, a cat is unlikely to allow a stranger to pet him, and if he is too persistent, he may even use his claws. But she will never do this without warning: before releasing her claws, she will hiss, pressing her ears to her head. An experienced cat owner will never be the first to approach an unfamiliar cat, he will let her walk around, look at herself, and only then carefully stretch out her hand so that the animal can smell it. If a cat likes a person, she will come closer and arch her back, allowing herself to be stroked.

A cat welcomes a familiar person in a special way. Raising her tail high, she hurries to him, as soon as she sees on the threshold, she purrs loudly, rubs her muzzle and sides against her legs, and sometimes even stands on her hind legs to be stroked. And then he sits somewhere in a corner and begins to lick himself.

Such a greeting ritual is needed for the exchange of smells. On the temples and in the corners of the cat's mouth are glands that produce an odorous substance, which it distributes throughout the fur. When the cat rubs against the leg, it leaves its scent on it and at the same time perceives the smell of the owner. And when he then licks himself, he feels this smell more clearly. Our rough noses can hardly catch that. Familiar cats rub their fur and lick each other, also exchanging scents at the same time. For a cat that lives in the world of smells, the sense of smell plays a very important role.

It often happens that a cat slightly bites the hand caressing it. This is a sign of friendship, and many take it wrong. A person can even get angry with a cat, because it is so unexpected, and sometimes painful. But the cat does not want to offend at all - biting, it leaves its saliva on our “wool” (after all, the cat is sure that we also have it) and thus once again marks “its own”.

It is believed that she also takes “her” person for a cat and expresses this with her behavior, similar to how a kitten treats her mother. Here is a typical example: a cat comfortably sits on its owner's lap and moves its left or right paw, as if lightly massaging or crumpling something. Many people do not like it, because she releases claws that pierce the dress or leg and scratch the skin. The answer is simple: the kitten used to make similar movements when it fed on milk from its mother's nipple. Animal behavioral ethologists have called this action the "milk step." For adult cats, memories of mother's milk are very pleasant. Therefore, the cat will be worried if at this moment it is driven off its knees, because the stroking hand caused the same sensation as the tongue of the mother cat, who once licked the kitten.

Why do cats purr?

A cat has many ways to show what she wants. A real connoisseur will always understand what his pet needs only when he sees how she sits, how she walks, in what position her ears, mustache or tail are.

If the cat is unhappy, she usually swings her tail in different directions, if she fluffed her fur and arched her back, then she wants to inspire respect for her person. And if a cat's paw gently touched you, then it's time to remember about your friend and think if he needs something. When a cat rubs against your legs, it means that it greets you or reminds you that it needs to be fed.

Even more diverse is the set of sounds for which our language has only one word - “meow”. From a gentle purr to a high-pitched scream, a cat can express many different emotions with its voice. And she loves to talk. She meows for any reason: greeting or demanding something, calming you or tenderly, complaining or upset, rejoicing or longing, begging or angry, and even threatening.

If you begin to gradually listen carefully to meowing, then over time you can learn to understand the character, mood and desires of your friend. Probably the most pleasant thing is to listen to the cat purring, to feel that she is happy. When a kitten is only a week old, he is already purring, telling his mother cat that everything is fine. Adult animals usually purr when they are just in a good mood.

Even if a cat goes hunting alone, she does not forget that she is a member of the cat society. And in the countryside, dozens of semi-wild animals often live together. Cats in such "families" lick each other's fur, sleep together, curled up in a cozy ball, take turns feeding kittens.

Professor Paul Leyhausen first described one of the most mysterious feline habits, the so-called "informal meeting with friends." All animals living in the same area, which collide during the day on the same paths, often argue and even fight over hunting territory, and by the beginning of twilight they gather in some corner. There they sit quietly and peacefully at a distance of several meters from each other and only by midnight again disperse. Nobody knows why cats do it. No wonder the cat is called the most mysterious animal.

Most people understand that cats rub against their legs, succumbing to positive emotions. Someone understands this act as affection and affection, it seems to someone that the cat asks for hands or asks her to take pity. You will be surprised, but such a cute behavior has well-founded, physiological reasons!

Let's make a reservation right away that the cat rubs against the owner's legs in order to mark him as property and inviolable property! Cats (and dogs too) have three "sources" of personal odor - secretions secreted by glands on the face, between the fingers and on the surface of the anus. Another "ink" to mark the territory is urine, which does not have a "significant" smell without a secret secreted by those same para-anal glands.

Note! When a cat marks territory, it twitches its tail held high to stimulate the paraanal glands.

Sometimes, odorous substances are called pheromones, this interpretation is slightly incorrect, but it is appropriate. Some, especially territorial cats, not only rub against the owner, but also lick him. Particularly passionately, the pet eliminates the smell of sweat under the armpits and on the legs. Not quite a hygienic process can be explained by the same desire to mark a person with their smell.

Note!"Wet deeds" found in the shoes also indicate an attempt to leave a mark. It is incorrect to write on a person, but leaving your fragrance in shoes is quite appropriate. Males can mark hats and outerwear.

Why do cats rub against people and objects

In fact, a cat rubs against a person’s legs only because it is indecent and fraught to write on them. This ritual is carried out at each meeting of the owner from work or after his long (by cat standards) absence. So, you enter the dwelling, and your purr begins to rub against your legs, you habitually interpret this behavior as a greeting.

Read also: How and what to feed newborn kittens?

The cat comes up to your feet, imitating a snake, touches your ankles with its head, after which its back and sides are arched upwards, and at the final stage it wraps its tail. Having made one turn, the pet, as it were, rises on its hind legs and repeats the ritual. If there is a scratching post near the front door, after finishing the rubdown, the cat begins defiantly sharpening its claws, arching its back.

The sweetest ritual performed by a pet means that you have lost your flock smell. Wiping your legs, arms and face, the cat leaves the secrets of the sebaceous glands on your clothes or skin. The most odorous secrets are in the already listed areas - on the muzzle, paws and around the tail. In scientific terms, this process is called olfactory marking. Having applied its scent to you, the cat conveys a message to competitors: “This man is mine, from my pack, do not dare to attack him!”.

The same ritual is performed in relation to almost all objects on the territory of the dwelling. Pets rub against some things especially often, for example, on the owner’s phone, laptop, shoes or bedding. The reason is simple - the smell of the pack is replaced too quickly by strangers. It should be understood that the aroma of your palms and body is not perceived hostile by the cat, even if the pet stubbornly replaces it with its own.

It is interesting! The cat daily rubs against its place, carrier, tray, bowl and other personal items.

Interestingly, some cats never rub against their owners' legs. The reason is that animals do not trust their owners. Only those who do not pose a threat and are part of the pet's world are worthy of a special smell. Some cats reduce all communication with the owner to a rubdown in the morning or evening. This situation indicates the self-sufficiency of the tailed one, that is, he trusts you, but does not particularly need your guardianship.

Read also: How a cat eats: unusual addictions

How to explain the behavior of street cats that rub against the legs of any approached person? The motives are the same, but the reasons are slightly different. Usually, an outdoor cat that has lived in the wild for several years becomes a leader or beta member of the community. There are exceptions, such as aggressive or cowardly animals.

Seasoned street cats, self-sufficient and determined, give out a “ticket” to those passing by with an ambassador: “You came to my house and became my property.” Young animals beg for affection and attention, hoping to become your companion.

By the way, if you pick up a kitten that has not yet experienced the “charms of street life”, it will immediately begin to rub and cuddle up to you. Tiny babies actively trample their palms with their paws and rub their faces. A kitten with all its appearance shows a person trust and fidelity, asking for affection and protection in return.

Unexplained in the behavior of cats

The pet curled up and hid its muzzle in its paws, you opened the closet and took out a warm sweater ... after all, this is a sign, such behavior promises cold. You will be surprised how many superstitions are associated with cats. For example, in ancient Russia, a cat was allowed into the baby's cradle so that it would lie down and rub itself. After that, the child was put to bed, and he slept sweetly.

The cat, which rubbed against the guest's legs, suggested that the person came with good intentions and did not hold a stone in his bosom. Perhaps this is an exaggeration, but it is not in vain 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 red cat, which rubs at the feet, sorts out all the negative energy. Why exactly red, is unknown. Most likely, this is due to another sign, that solar cats bring happiness, wealth and good luck to the owner. Again, a red cat, brings peace to the family and eliminates conflicts, calming the “dispersed” husband or wife.

How does your cat greet you? How does she say "hello"?

Most owners are well aware of the habit of cats rubbing against their legs and understand that in this way the cat demands attention. Of course, this may just be a reminder that your beauty wants to eat, but cats often rub against their legs when they have enough food. Leg rubbing is a form of greeting, it's the cat's way of saying, "Hi, I know you, I'm glad to see you, I trust you." When a cat rubs against you, not only against your legs but also against other parts of your body, she leaves a scent on you, marks you, signals that you belong to her. Cats have scent glands in several places on the head, under the ears, on the chin and around the eyes, and elsewhere on the body.

But your cat also rubs and leaves odor on furniture, doors, and other inanimate objects. If she is allowed to go outside, she will also scent-mark trees, plants, poles, and the like. Does this mean that you mean as much to a cat as a chair or a tree? No, of course it's not.

Your cat uses her scent to mark inanimate objects to mark the boundaries of her territory, to let other cats know that this is her domain. Of course, you are also a part of her world, but we hope that you are somewhat more important to her than table legs or a pole. To get an idea of how much your cat loves you, look at other forms of cat greeting behavior.

head banging

Does your cat let you pick her up when you come home? This in itself indicates her trust in you, but if she also rubs her muzzle against your face, this means that she loves you very much.

Has your cat ever bumped its head against you? This is a very intimate cat greeting meant only for cats and special people whom the cat trusts very much. If your cat greets you by banging its head against your face or nose, you can be sure that it is happy to see you. This behavior comes from childhood, when a kitten knocks on its mother, giving a signal that it is time to feed it.

Try extending your hand just above your cat's head when you open the apartment door. Your cat may rise up, standing only on its hind legs, and bump or poke its head into your hand. This is a very enjoyable and fun activity.

If your cat does not do this, do not think that she does not have affection for you, just that each cat is individual and, such behavior may simply not be characteristic of her.

Sleepy cat greeting

What do you think when you are away all day and your cat is left alone at home, what does she do? Yes, your cat naps most of the day. So it's likely that when you walk through the door, you're disturbing her peaceful sleep. How will your sleepy cat greet you? Sleepy cats usually greet the owner by rolling on their backs and stretching their paws, while releasing their claws and yawning. By doing this, they expose their belly, making themselves vulnerable to attack, so this is not a greeting meant for strangers, but only for people the cat trusts very much. Be careful, because if your cat greets you by exposing her tummy, this does not mean at all that she will allow you to scratch him or stroke him, watch her claws!

As mentioned above, all cats have their own unique personality, so their greetings will be very different. If you have several cats in your house, each of them will greet you in a different way.

A cat that lives with multiple cats or other pets will not be as dependent on a person for communication and therefore will not be as welcoming to you as a cat that is the only animal in the house. Also, if there are several people in your house, then the cat has many ways to get attention, and she will be less happy to see you. Outdoor cats are also not as dependent on their owners as much, they can fill their day with lots of outdoor adventures and are often part of the social feline system outside of their home. This does not mean that outdoor cats or cats that live with other people or animals cannot show you their special affection, they certainly can, but they do not have the same need for love and attention as a cat. being alone all day. Age can also be a factor in feline greetings, so for example, an older cat doesn't have as much energy as it once did, so it may seem that she is not at all delighted to see you.

You must know the special way a cat or cat greets you. Your cat may not use head banging or rolling on its back in front of you to say hello, but even if your cat seems very wild, aloof, and indifferent, she will still have some way of greeting you. Even if this method is just a quick glance in your direction before you start washing. So at least she shows that she is aware of your presence.

Even long years of living with a pet cannot guarantee a complete understanding of its behavior. So many owners wonder why do cats rub against their legs? This phenomenon often manifests itself in the relationship between man and animal. In addition, the pet may rub against other objects in the house and even outside it. Therefore, some owners need an explanation for this behavior of their pets.

The animal world differs significantly from the human world in terms of information transfer. For these purposes, individuals often use odors. In particular, an excellent sense of smell gives cats the ability to quickly determine the position of the victim. This skill is one of the means of survival in the wild. Pets use their sense of smell to find a home or their own babies.

In the conditions of an apartment, the pet still considers it necessary to limit the limits of its territory. This is the root cause of the fact that the cat rubs against people or furniture, for example. On the body of the animal there are special zones that secrete a special secret. Most of them are concentrated:

on the muzzle;
on paws;
around the anus.

It is especially remarkable when the cat rubs its muzzle against the owner's face. After all, a huge amount of the allocated secret is located precisely in the forehead area. During such a ritual, the animal may purr and look extremely pleased. This indicates that the process gives him satisfaction and calmness. This reaction is associated with the original cause of this phenomenon: the cat feels safe in its territory.

By the way, this instinct is connected not only with the creation of boundaries. The fact is that cats live in families, and by smell they can determine belonging to the pride. Owners of two or more pets may notice that they are rubbing against the same object or corner. This is due to the fact that they belong to the same clan.

Main reasons

Of course, most of the owners want to find out what else such features of feline behavior are connected with and whether the pet is trying to tell them something. After all, pets not only rub, they often demonstrate various gestures that can be interpreted in a human way.

For example, you should pay attention if the cat:

actively wags its tail;
presses his ears;
arches, holding the fur on end.

All this indicates a state of tension, fear, interest or combat readiness. But when a cat rubs against its owner, you should evaluate the circumstances under which such behavior occurs. For example, if this happens when the owner returns home or enters the room, the ritual may indicate the joy that the pet feels from the meeting. At the same time, the intensity and duration of friction can directly depend on the duration of separation.

It is also worth paying attention to how exactly the cat does it. If it rubs against the ankles, and then gradually rises up, the owner has probably been away for too long. The cat felt that the smell had been lost. In this case, you just need to pet the animal. It will gladly restore the smell on your hands.

However, careful observation can show that the cat rubs not only on its owner. From time to time, this phenomenon also affects various objects in the house. Among the things that cats most often rub against are table legs, sofa corners, favorite toys and much more. The animal tries to leave its smell on those things that it recognizes as personal. This gives the pet a sense of security. After all, confidence in the integrity of the territory is a very important aspect of a cat’s life..

It is also interesting how the four-legged inhabitants of the streets run up to someone unfamiliar, starting to rub against him. However, not everyone is honored with such an honor. In fact, in this way street cats try to give the object their smell. And this means that they show indulgence to a person, demonstrating that he is part of their property.

Opinion of zoopsychologists

Animal psychologists often express their assessment of this phenomenon. Most associate this ritual with the peculiarities of the relationship between a mother cat and a cub. Already at a more conscious age, the pet partly sees its parent in the owner. Therefore, he rubs against him, demonstrating gratitude and care.. But the young inhabitants of the streets in this way are trying to get a little affection and human attention.

Also, according to zoopsychologists, the reason for such a habit may lie in the behavioral characteristics of the animal. It is tactile contact that is most preferable for a cat in the process of expressing its own emotions and sensations. And this means that when a pet rubs against a person’s legs, he wants to show his feelings. This theory is supported by the fact that many self-sufficient cats do not demonstrate such rituals at all.

By the way, the absence of this habit can also be indicative. It often indicates such things:

lack of trust;
temporary offense;
dissatisfaction with conditions.

But carrying out the ritual 1-2 times a day clearly indicates that the cat is happy and does not need anything. Of course, there are also much more active individuals who rub often, clearly showing warm feelings for the owner. Such pets show their love in other ways.

Animal psychologists also suggest that a cat rubs against its legs when it wants to get more data about the world around it. This is especially noticeable when the animal enters an unfamiliar environment. At this moment, you can clearly see how alertness develops into curiosity, and the cat gradually begins to rub against various objects and people present. In fact, the pet is trying to adapt to the new and calm itself. Especially disturbing for a cat are various smells.

Other manifestations of the habit

Although the reasons described are most often expressed by the animal rubbing against the owner's legs, many other habits can be associated with them. All of them, one way or another, have common prerequisites. For example, often cats rub against the face of the owner, showing their tenderness and affection. This can be seen in the way they purr and cover their eyes.

It is also difficult not to notice when a cat gets under the feet of a person, literally preventing him from walking. In this situation, she does not just rub against the owner's legs, but clearly wants to tell him something. There are several possible reasons for this:

the animal demonstrates that it is in the lead in the house;
the cat wants to attract attention because she is lonely;
she reminds that they forgot to feed her;
she's just curious.

By the way, attempts to rub against a part of the host's body are often associated with nutrition. Usually this behavior can be observed in the kitchen, when the cat is clearly trying to beg for something tasty. Of course, over time, such moments become obvious to the owner. He stops feeling puzzled when the cat rubs, purrs, or shows other ways of communicating.

Are there any negative consequences

Do not be afraid if a domestic cat rubs against its legs. In case no one is allergic to the animal, this ritual is absolutely harmless. Do not warn or scold your pet if he tries to rub himself against his legs or furniture in the house. After all, this process causes peace in the pet, which is very important for its comfortable living on the territory of the owner. Therefore, it is better to give the animal a little freedom to express such emotions.

Knowing for sure why a cat likes to rub against its owner so much, you can find out a lot of details about the character and emotional state of your pet. After all, a clear understanding of the animal's instincts gives a huge advantage to those who want to be aware of the motives of the pet's actions. It is also very important for establishing a trusting and warm relationship. But the main thing is to treat the cat with love and respect her personal space.

In the past decade, the Japanese launched a cat translator, manufactured by the Takara Corporation, for sale. And then came the improved Meowlingwal. These devices quite tolerably "translated" cat sounds, but so far not every behavioral specialist is able to answer why cats rub against their legs.

There are two main opinions on this matter. First: this is how purrs leave their smell on our feet, but simply mark the territory. As proof, supporters of this opinion cite a standard situation: the owner came home from work in the evening and must be “initiated” anew into the aromas of the house where the cat manages.
Second, this is how animals communicate and draw attention to themselves in order to get something they want. For example, cat petting becomes noticeably more persistent if the owner has a box of food or something tasty in his hands. At the same time, the pet can rub not only on the owner's legs, but also on the legs of a chair or the corner of a wall.

scent trail

One way or another, every cat periodically rubs against something or someone. So, there is something general in this. Domestic cats rub against the owners of the muzzle or front of the body. The mother cat gently licks the babies and touches them with her nose. Suggests that the theory of smells nevertheless has confirmation. After all, it is in the area of \u200b\u200bthe cheeks and neck that felines have a zone for the production of pheromones.

Why and why cats prefer to leave their own on the owner's clothes or furniture depends on the situation. Being safe in its own territory, the cat rubs its muzzle against its legs, thereby designating its comfort zone, and possibly expressing love and gratitude. If the pet ended up in a new territory or met a stranger on its own, completely different glands are used: those closer to the tail are paranal.

Smells are of great importance in the animal world. Some are needed to create sexual pairs, others - to scare away enemies, others - for self-defense. So, in the arsenal of animals, at least these should be distinguished:

Epagons are substances that help establish bonds of love between individuals, even if only for a short time. The smells of maternal care are born on the muzzle and neck, and those that attract a partner are on the back of the body;
Odmihnions - guiding smells. With their help, the route is marked. Most often they are produced by glands on the legs;
Toribones are chemical indicators of fear and anxiety. Even where the enemy is not seen or heard, animals are able to warn of his approach with the help of aromas. Moreover, sometimes only representatives of the same species can recognize them;
Gonophions and gamophions are the substances of sexual life. According to them, for example, the sexual maturity of an individual is determined;
With the help of lichneumons, some animals mark attractive objects: tasty, for example;
Aminones are offensive defensive liquids that are very difficult to remove from surfaces.

And this is not a complete alphabet of pheromones, with the help of which animals communicate without words over great distances or in close contact. So, if a cat rubs against people and objects, it is worth taking a closer look at her behavior and trying to understand why she is doing this.

Cat community, smells and marks

Pets are often forced to divide the territory in a completely different way than they would do it in the wild. And yet they were able to adapt to the requirements of man. But a person needs to learn to distinguish between two types of behavior: social and territorial. Where the cat begins to mark the territory, light attractive pheromone scents turn into fetid marks.

Often marks appear when the cat does not feel its home is a safe territory. If the owner is too detached, pays little attention to the pet, causes him physical harm, or simply scares him. Timid cats stop flattering if a new animal or family member appears in the house.

Pay close attention to your pet's behavior. Where affectionate rubbing around the corner began to be accompanied by a highly raised shaking tail, it is worth taking a closer look and sniffing - is this not a mark. The sooner the social is separated from the territorial, the easier it will be to remove the smell of cat urine.

When it comes to labels, behavior needs to be viewed in a completely different way. Then we are no longer talking about such components of sociality as affection and requests from the cat. It is required to correct territorial behavior and ask a specialist how to wean a cat from marking.

translated from cat

Regardless of why the cat rubs against the owner and his furniture, it is perceived as either "good" or "bad".

Wean or encourage?

Most people still get cats for "attacks" of affection. This behavior does not need to be specially encouraged - the pet herself will repeat her simple ritual again and again with pleasure. But there are still cat breeders who prefer to contemplate the cat, rather than let it into their personal space.

To wean your pet from rubbing against his legs, it is enough every time he does this to retreat a few steps, and then take his former place. And never encourage undesirable behavior either with words, or with thrown pieces of food, or with touches.

speak like a cat

It is not known what cats think of a person, whether they accept him as "attendants" or idolize. And we may never know. But any owner can learn to speak like a cat, correctly convey his requirements, emotions and commands to a pet.

From childhood, kittens carefully observe people and learn to distinguish emotions by facial expression, posture and tone of voice. Why shouldn't people do the same? Here are a few basics of cat language:

Sight. Even a child can recognize the expression of a cat's muzzle in combination with movable ears. By the way, children are especially sensitive in this - they are very good at distinguishing when a cat is angry or asks for something. And cats learned to look into the eyes after domestication; they do not use such “begging” glances among themselves;
Hissing is a strict and unambiguous feline "no" or a danger signal. Good-natured hissing never happens.
Actions with paws: touching, pulling, trampling, kneading - all this is an expression of recognition, favor, request;
Sounds. A scientist named Dupont du Nemar found out that cats utter many sounds: a, o, y, m, n, g, x, f, v, p. They sometimes make up quite legible words and phrases (remember a few sensational videos about talking cats). The alphabet is quite simple, of course, but how many "meow" and "mrr-r-lr-lr" loving cat owners can recognize!
Poses. And an open trusting belly, and an emotional movable tail, and a curved or bent back can tell about the mood, well-being and intentions of the pet.

So, if a cat rubs against the owner's legs, it is at least worth paying attention to. This is a request or a claim, an affectionate greeting of “one’s own” or an expression of negativity towards a “stranger” - in order to understand a cat, you need to look, listen and sniff. After all, we are responsible for those whom we have tamed, and we are obliged to understand and fulfill their desires.