Real talk: Does this cat love me, or does information technology love what I tin can practise for it? It'south a question many a cat parent has pondered.

Mikel Delgado, cat behavior practiced with Rover, confirmed that cats can, indeed, feel affection for humans. "Cats can have a lot of the same emotions that we do, including liking to be around us and enjoying our presence," she says. "I believe they are capable of enjoying relationships with us and fifty-fifty loving us. "

Cats derive pleasure, condom, and comfort from their relationships with humans. Yet, all cats express their happiness with their human companions differently. Long story short? Cats have distinct personalities, just like people.

"Some cats are more affectionate than others, or they're more obvious with their affection," Delgado explains. "For some cats, the way they prove they love you is to want to exist in the aforementioned room with you. For other cats, the style they evidence they beloved yous is sitting on your breast and purring in your confront."

Delgado gave united states tips for interpreting true cat beliefs, no thing what kind of feline you lot take, you tin see in one case and for all, that your true cat does indeed dear you.

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Pace i? Make certain your cat has been socialized.

Cats tin can dear their humans—but not all cats can love the style we desire them to. In club to brand a great pet, it helps if a cat has become accustomed to man behavior from a young age.

Delgado cites a "sensitive period" in a kitten's coming-of-historic period, between two to nine weeks, during which they become comfy coexisting with people. "Kittens that are handled past people at that time are going to be more open and trusting of people later in life," Delgado says. Dr. Sarah Nold, staff veterinary at Trupanion, suggests that adopting a kitten up to seven weeks old for the speediest bonding.

kitten looking up towards the camera

Emerge Anscombe // Getty Images

When the sensitive menstruum is over, a kitten can still learn to love a human—only it's a slower process. Even though cats are a domesticated species, they're able to live independent of human care. A feral cat, for instance, would never be wholly at ease with people; and probable, vice versa. "It'd be like trying to tame a squirrel or raccoon. You wouldn't finish up cuddling a raccoon," Delgado says.

As for homing stray cats? That's a get, in certain situations. "Some cats that live exterior do get a lot of exposure to people—they just may take never lived in a habitation. They learned, through clan, that people are good. They bring me food, perchance I should trust them. But it'll be an adjustment to living indoors," Delgado says.

And then, look out for these behaviors.

  1. They treat you like you're a cat. When cats don't feel threatened by other cats, they will show affection by rubbing on them, sleeping nearly them, and being in their presence. If your cat replicates those behaviors with you, Delgado says information technology has officially imprinted on you.
  2. They rub against yous. Delgado says this is the "telltale sign" your cat has accepted you into its social group.
  3. They follow you lot into a room. If a true cat is following you effectually, that means it wants to exist around you, according to Delgado.
  4. They come into your bedchamber while you're sleeping. Some cats are threatened by a humans' size. Equally a result, they may feel safer effectually humans when they're lying on a bed, compared to walking around.
  5. They blink their eyes slowly. Happy cats tend to blink their optics slowly and softly. Humans can mimic this gesture, and communicate with their cats. "Softening your gaze is definitely a practiced style to accept the tension out of the space," Delgado says.
  6. They knead their paws like a kitten. Ever seen your true cat pushing in and out with its forepart paws? That's a gesture kittens make when they want their female parent to release milk. "When they practice that to you, information technology'due south like you lot're mommy," Delgado says, and information technology's some other sign your cat is comfortable with yous.
  7. They brand the right kind of meow. According to Delgado, "meowing" is a fashion for cats to communicate with people. "It's a very constructive way of pushing buttons and pulling at our heartstrings and getting us to do whatever they desire, whether it's giving them treats or attending," Delgado says.
  8. They show their belly—in some cases. Some cats expose their bellies as a sign of relaxation and trust. Other cats, co-ordinate to Delgado, show their bellies because they want to play.
  9. They testify their tail, likewise. Once once again, the meaning of this gesture depends on the cat. "Some cats only have an active tail when they're irritated," Delgado says. Nevertheless, it can also be a sign of affection.

In order to run into these behaviors, your true cat needs a comfortable surround.

According to Delgado, the key to a cat'due south happiness is setting upward an environment in which cats can express behaviors that are natural to them. Be the doer of everything the cat loves: Providing treats, and playing hard to get. Also, Nold suggests getting your feline friend a climbing tree.

"Then, cats can really build trust and a bond," Delgado says.

kitten playing with feather toy

Benjamin Torode // Getty Images

These rules hold true for all breeds of cats.

Generally speaking, Delgado says, cat behavior is consistent betwixt breeds. Whereas dogs were bred to replicate different behaviors, the same isn't true for cats, which were bred for looks—not personality.

"Some breeds are very active, like Abyssinians, and Siamese are known to be song, but as far every bit like body language and interactions with people, they're general across all cat breeds," Delgado says.

maine coon cat close up indoors

Imperial Collar Pet Photography // Getty Images

If you want your true cat to love yous, play difficult to go.

Equally a cat possessor, your impulse may exist to immediately cuddle with your buddy. Only Delgado recommends letting your true cat take charge of interactions. "Nosotros know from research that cats really prefer to be the one to arroyo you. And if you permit them make the first movement, you'll have a amend interaction," Delgado says.

Over time, Delgado adds, your true cat volition trust yous more, because you lot respect its limits. This dynamic explains why people who are allergic to cats tend to complain that cats dearest them. "They're totally fugitive the cat—and the true cat is like, Ooh, I want to sit down on that person because they're not being pushy."

Finally, find a cat that fits your lifestyle.

All cats have different personalities. Sometimes, it's possible to ad0pt a kitten or cat with a certain kind of personality. Nold says humane societies and rescue centers work with cat behaviorists to evaluate cats' personalities. "Share what you're looking for the center you're adopting the true cat from, " Nold says.

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