As any die-hard cat lover might enthusiastically tell you, felines are often very affectionate, sweet and cuddly creatures, in spite of their cool, independent and detached public images. Although cats may not "kiss" you exactly like a human being would, they have their own special affectionate signals -- aww.
Kisses from You
If you kiss a cat, even if she doesn't understand the traditional definition of the action, she will likely appreciate the gesture and feel loved. Human touch goes a long way with cats. Felines often adore attention and interaction -- although there are always grouchy exceptions, of course. If you give a willing cat positive attention, she'll probably lap it up, whether you're kissing her head, rubbing her belly or even slowly stroking her back as you watch television on the couch.
Subtle Blinking
One surprising -- yet totally endearing -- way in which a kitty may "kiss" you is by blinking at you, slowly but surely. She is telling you she loves you when she does this, but there's also a bonus. The action is a major sign of trust. After all, when your cutie risks shutting her peepers around you even for a millisecond, it expresses that she is fully assured you're not going to do anything to harm her.
Tail High Up
When it comes to understanding cat emotion, observing the tail is a good bet. Although a tail in motion is usually far from a loving gesture, there are exceptions. When your fluffball's tail is shooting stray up at the sky and is lightly shaking, it means she's absolutely delighted to see you. Although this isn't a tactile action, it indeed is a genuine parallel to a kitty kiss, so be happy.
Ears Up
You may also spot another sign of cat affection by looking at her ears. If her ears are standing up it may mean that you have her full attention -- and that's she totally ready for some love and attention from you, whether it's kisses, hugs or good old-fashioned pets.
Headbutting
One classic way that a feline may attempt to "kiss" a human is by headbutting them. If your cat rubs her cheeks and chin against you, she may be saying something like, "Hi. I love you!"
Cats can sometimes be confusing creatures, however. Not all rubbing is necessarily a loving gesture. For instance, if your cat rubs her entire body up against your legs, she's not necessarily being a tender little thing. She may just be marking you with her scent and telling all other nearby kitties to back off, because you belong to her and only her. Yikes!
Always check with your veterinarian before changing your pet’s diet, medication, or physical activity routines. This information is not a substitute for a vet’s opinion.
