If you’re wondering why your cat puts its paw on your face, with its claws retracted, rest assured that this is one of the many ways cats show affection and love. By gently putting its paws on you, your cat is communicating that they want to be close to you.
1. Your Cat Is Marking You as Their Territory
Your cat leaves their scent on you when they touch you with their foot, claiming you as their own. Did you know that cats have scent glands in their paws that release pheromones, which are chemical signals that convey information to other cats?
In multi-cat households, where one cat may feel more of a need to claim you as their own, this behavior is more prevalent. It also demonstrates love and trust because your cat views you as a member of their family.
- It is a sign of honor that your cat loves and feels safe with you because they consider you to be their territory.
- Give them a gentle pat and use quiet, soothing language in return for their gesture.
- To strengthen your relationship and exchange smells, rub your cheek against their head or body.
2. Your Cat Is Hungry or Wants Attention
Being sentient beings, cats are adept at obtaining what they desire from people. Your cat may therefore paw at your face in an attempt to get food or attention.
- Your cat might try to wake you up and remind you that breakfast is ready if it is hungry.
- They could use this physical characteristic as a means of gaining your attention if they’re trying to play or cuddle.
This behavior may seem more common in the mornings or when you’re preoccupied or preoccupied with something else. It could therefore cause you to feel irritated or frustrated. But keep in mind that your cat might be lonely or neglected and crave your company. In this situation, theyll typically use any means necessary!.
- If your cat is hungry, feed them as soon as you can because hunger can cause them to become agitated and anxious.
- To ensure that your cat doesn’t have to rely on you for meals, think about purchasing an automatic feeder that releases food at predetermined intervals.
- Every day, spend quality time playing, brushing, or just spending time with your cat if they need attention.
- To entertain your cat when you are not around, please provide toys, scratching posts, and hiding spots.
Like people raise their hands in class, cats may paw at your face to get your attention. Did you know that cats use their paws as a form of communication?
4: The Wake up! Hypothesis – Cats Can be Intentional and Have Memory
Your pet may also be trying to get you to wake up by putting their paw on your face.
Breakfast is ready, and you have the audacity to ignore the growling in my stomach and continue sleeping three minutes after it’s time? I’ll tap your face until you wake up and feed me, bap bap bap!
Naturally, they would only tap your face if you were asleep, in bed, or otherwise dozing on the couch and they needed you for something.
The zoomies, the clatter of overturned glasses, and the loud, incessant meowing might not wake you up if you’re in a deep sleep. They then resort to a slightly more dramatic tactic that they know will cause you to react.
Some cats are more likely to just stand on your chest and meow in your face, pounce on your toes, or otherwise start bothering you in order to get your attention. Different cats have different patterns in this regard. If your cat is very needy, you may experience this more frequently.
Or, well, you know how it goes. You can get me some food now that you’re awake; I wasn’t trying to wake you up; I was just playing. Win win.