Why Do Cats Rub Their Face On You?

Cats are one of the most mysterious pets humans keep, and they do many bizarre things that many cat owners (especially novice ones) can’t decipher. So we have selected one of many cat habits to discuss in this post. 

You may have often noticed your cat rubbing their head/face against you, furniture, door, and everything in the house. You are here because you are curious and looking to answer questions like “Why do cats rub their face on you?” or with other objects. Is it normal, or is your cat feeling itchy?

The act of a cat rubbing his face on different objects is called “Bunting or head butting.” And they do this to communicate many messages. 

Cats also rub their face on different things to leave their smell on the objects through specific scent glands at various locations on the head and face (like the neck, sides, chins, ears, cheeks, and around the mouth). At this point, you may also wonder, “Why do cats need to spread their scent.” 

Continue reading till the end, and you will surely get all your answers. 

To Mark Territory

Cats generally bunt different objects to spread pheromones from scent glands (to leave their smell), and the objective is to message other cats that this place belongs to them. 

Similarly, if your cat rubs his face on you, he is trying to tell other cats that this person is mine. Sometimes cats also try to overlap the bunt marks of other cats with their pheromones to signal that the new owner is here. 

So bunting or rubbing their face (against different objects or on you) is their way to claim that this person or place belongs to them. 

To Show Their Love & Affection

When your cat rubs his head on you, you should feel proud and take this gesture as a compliment. It is the cat’s way of showing affection for you and telling you that you are a good guardian and your cat is comfortable with you. 

However, according to most feline behaviorists, bunting on you is a lot more than just showing affection. And the bunting behavior translates into “you are mine” or “I Love You.”

Looking For a Lovemate

Another reason cats rub against everything is that they are in heat and looking for a mating partner. This kind of bunting behavior is notably more prominent in female cats. 

They generally spread their scent to signal male cats that they are available and ready to mate. Amazingly they leave their scent marks in such a sequence that the male cats can easily trace them wherever they are. 

So if you don’t want to become a cat grandparent, you should take all necessary precautions to ensure that your cat cannot go outside if you suspect it is rubbing against objects because she is in heat.

Greeting And Sense Of Being Safe

Here is another aspect of complex and mysterious cat nature; they bunt not only to spread their scent but to retrieve scent too. Especially when more than one cat is in the house, they bunt to greet and exchange each other’s smells. 

It’s their way of showing love and affection for each other. In addition, marking every object in the house gives them a sense that they are in a familiar and safe place. It helps a cat deal with anxiety. 

Looking For Your Attention / Asking For Petting

Rubbing on you can also signify that your feline friend needs your attention. He may want a quick cuddle, want you to pet him, or he may be hungry and asking for food. So you must know your cat and understand his behavior. 

Medical Problems Linked With “Cat Rubbing It’s Head”

Suppose your cat is rubbing (on you or other objects) too much or vigorously, and you notice other changes in his behavior. In that case, there could be some other issues that need immediate attention and a visit to the vet clinic. 

Some common problems that can make your cat rub more often than he routinely does are allergies, fleas, ear infections, intracranial disease (tumors, infectious, or inflammatory causes), feline hypersensitivity disorder, etc.

Final Words

Mostly it’s perfectly normal for a cat to rub its face on you or other objects. It’s their way of showing their love for you and the other pets in the house. 

The familiar scent from the surrounding also gives them a sense of security and comfort. 

However, you must know your feline friend’s individual personality and habits, to timely detect if anything abnormal causes them to develop bunting behavior.