What Does It Mean When Cats Give Nudges?

[catloverforever]

Hello all,
What does it mean when cats give nudges or headbumpies to people? I know that it means that they are showing some kind of affection, but is there any specific reason? My Lynx Point Siamese cat, Nellie, does that often. I love it!
Purrs and Pets,
Catloverforever and Her Kitty Clan: Nellie, Reggie, Nitschke, and Jake

[Medusa]

I can only speak for my own cats but Coco Puff does that more than any of my cats and it's usually because he wants something, the little brat.

[cassiesmom]

For Cassie it means...
Mom, pet me
Mom, get off the phone and pet me
Mom, I am so glad you are right here with me
Mom, I am happy because you're doing what I love (usually putting my favorite food in my dish or giving me catnip)

But most of the time it is a request for petting. Which I'm happy to oblige, of course!

[largeheartedgirl]

Head bumping is a display of affection, insofar as what we humans understand as affection. Cats are loaded with scent glands, around their ears, cheeks, tail, etc. All that rubbing that they do all over the house is marking what is theirs; sofas, doorways, people's legs, etc.

That may not be a very flattering description of what's going on, but take heart. You happen to one of the things that your cat likes and wants to claim. Be flattered. They can be finicky characters, so it is a compliment.

Some interesting studies have been done with animal emotions. Pet scans of the human brain have been mapped so we know which areas of the brain light up for given emotions. Interestingly, scans have also been done on dog and cat brains, and sure enough, the same areas light up for the same emotional displays. So you can be assured that your pet feels the same emotions (fear, anger, affection) that humans do. And their intelligence levels rank somewhat similar to toddlers. Makes a person rethink how we as a species treat the animals we share the earth with.

[Skeetz]

The kitty is claiming you!!! Whenever we see Bingo or Alf headbutting something we say, "Uh oh that's no longer ours! It belongs to Bingo or Alf!!"

[cg41386]

I often find it's a few reasons-

1) Scent/marking territory

2) Just being friendly!

3) Both of the above

[Cinder & Smoke]

What does it mean when cats give nudges or headbumpies to people?

* Move Over, Hoomin - I want more of the couch, BigBed, etc.

* HEY, Hoomin! ... My sandbox needs attention!

* HEY, Hoomin ... My bowl is *Eem-tee*!!

[Felicia's Mom]

The cat wants you to pay attention to him/her.

[Sweetie Kitties]

Feline facial pheromone is a hypothetical pheromone used by cats to mark places, objects, and persons as familiar by rubbing their face on surfaces. That's what the dictionary says. I like to think of it as furry I love you. I love it when mine do it to.