Can Anyone Translate "Cat"?

[luvmydogs]

About a week ago, I posted that we had adopted a new kitten, Pumpkin. She's a guesstimated three months old now, getting bigger, is playful and happy, but has started a new behavior in the last couple of days. I was wondering if any cat experts out there could give me their opinions? For lack of a better description, she has started "headbutting" me. Wherever I am, she'll get on my level, and butt her head into mine--usually my forehead. She doesn't do it very hard--it's more like she mushes her head into mine. I'm assuming it's not because she doesn't like me--she'd be ignoring me, right? I've only ever adopted older cats (both gone now ), but neither ever headbutted me. I'd appreciate any ideas.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I'm no cat expert, but if I am not mistaken, that is a cat greeting.

 

[Rajah]

Yup, most definitely a sign of affection. If she "headbutts" you anywhere, rubs her chin up against you, purrs, or kneads (kinda like you would knead dough), or even if she gently nibbles on your hair or fingers as though grooming, those are typically signs of affection.

 

[smileybrat]

It is a greeting but it also puts some of the cats sent on you from the glands in her face (she prolly hits straight on the slightly turns her head, right?). Don't worry it's a good thing. She likes you and is marking you as "hers."

 

[Tiggerlover91]

Oh you are definitely loved!! And you are right, if she didn't like you, she'd do more than ignore you. A hiss here and there or growl would probably be present also. As said before, you are being marked "hers", so all others better watch out!

 

[helenabear]

I can't add anything else other than what was said... you are definitely loved!! Nothing warms my heart more when my babies do it to me

 

[catsrule]

I have long hair, and Cali is always biting at it. Now I know why.

 

[KatelynnsAuntie]

My mom's cat head butts all the time. Usually when she wants attention. She is not particular about what part of the body she head butts. She always seems to do it to me when I'm on the computer, she head butts my arm when my hand is on the mouse and she does it so hard the mouse goes flying across the desk. It cracks us up when she does that, but she does get attention once she does it!

 

[Dodie]

Oooh! Everyone has already said it, but this is a GOOD thing!

She is expressing affection, "Hello, person. I love you. You are mine. I claim you."

 

[luvmydogs]

Thanks for the replies, everyone! I never knew cats had scent glands in their faces, smileybrat! It is nice to be loved, isn't it? Am I the only one who ever feels that my pets appreciate me more than my own family?!

 

[dizneegirl]

That's how our cats show love.

I LOVE those headbutts!

 

[BedKnobbery2]

*sigh* That's how my dear departed Prometheus loved to show affection. So nice to hear about it with a lively young kitten.