Does My Cat Love Me? 12 Ways Your Cat Secretly Shows Affection

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By Morgan Cutolo, Reader's Digest

Loving cats

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It can be hard to read your cat’s emotions sometimes. Some cats are super snugly and come to greet you every time you come home, and some keep their distance and might only show affection when they want dinner. Cat behavior expert with Rover Mikel Delgado offered Reader’s Digest the inside scoop on how cats secretly show affection. Read on to see if your grumpy cat has actually been showing you signs of love all along. If you own one of these cat breeds with the friendliest personalities, you probably experience these signs of affection every day.

Purring

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Most people know that if your cat is purring it means that they are happy. If they do it while you scratch behind their ears or while they lay on your lap it’s most likely because they are showing you affection. Purring can also be a sign of distress or a call for attention. This is why cats really purr and how you can figure out what your cat’s purr means.

Sitting next to you

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Cats secretly show affection by sitting next to you, even if they have their back turned to you and are preoccupied with looking out the window. They chose to be near you. If you do any of these things that your cat actually hates, they probably won't be showing you any signs of affection.

Sitting on your lap

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When your fluffy cat comes crawling up onto your lap it can sometimes be a little too close for comfort, but they’re just trying to show you how much they care about you.

Showing you their belly

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If a cat rolls onto their back to show you their belly it can mean that they love you. “Although an exposed belly is the ultimate sign of trust, it is not always a sign to ‘pet here!’” warns Delgado.

Sleeping near you

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If your cat chooses to sleep near you instead of out in the living room, it’s a sign of affection. It might be nice to have them curled up at the end of your bed, but that 3 a.m. wakeup call of them scratching at the door or attacking your hair isn’t so pleasant. Here are some cat facts that you probably never knew.

Grooming you

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Just like cats groom themselves and other felines to care for them, they might also groom you. Their tongue probably feels like sandpaper on your skin but know that it’s out of love.

Rubbing against you

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If you’re a cat owner you already know that when your furry friend rubs up against your legs or nudges you with their head it means they are happy to see you and happy that you are their owner.

Demanding attention

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Cats demand attention in a lot of different ways and sometimes it can be a little disruptive. Just know that even when they scratch at you or follow you around everywhere, it just means that they are trying to show you affection (and maybe they're trying to tell you that they want a treat, too).

Slow blinking

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The next time you’re close to your cat’s face, take a look at their eyes. If they are blinking slowly, it’s a sign that they feel comfortable around you and that they are trying to let you know they are grateful for you. When cats close their eyes, it is a sign of trust.

Running up to you when you come home

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This seems like more of an action that dogs take to show affections, but some cats do it too. They’re happy that you are home.

A tail up with a slight curve at the tip

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Look at your cat’s tail to see if they are giving you signals that they love you.

Touching you gently with their paw

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Such a simple and adorable gesture can mean so much coming from a cat.