Do Cats Know What Kisses Mean (And Do They Actually Enjoy Them)?

It's your cat's wide eyes, tiny pink nose, floofy neck, and perfect toe beans — you can't help it. The cuteness levels are off the charts, and sometimes, you just have to grab your cat and kiss them! Do cats understand kisses and do they feel love? You may be wondering if your kitty knows what's going on when you plant a smooch on them, and if they actually enjoy it. It can be hard to tell with cats sometimes. Never fear: We have the answers to all of your kitty kissing questions.

There's some good news and some bad news when it comes to cats and kissing. Cats, unfortunately, do not understand kisses exactly the way humans do. That's simply not the way they show affection with each other. However, cats are smart, and many do come to understand that kissing is one way humans show their love.

As for whether cats like kisses, well, that depends on your cat. Some cats are totally fine with lots of physical affection, but others won't tolerate it at all. Rest assured, though, that even if your kitty doesn't enjoy being kissed or hugged, they still know that you love them. It's very important to learn the signals your cat sends when they're uncomfortable so you can determine whether or not they enjoy your kisses.

Cats are, on the whole, a little particular about the kinds of attention and affection they tolerate, so it's important to carefully read your kitty's body language when you go in for a kiss to be sure that they understand what you're doing. If you insist on touching them in a way that they don't enjoy, you risk real injury to yourself and unnecessary stress for your animal.

Some signs that your cat is stressed and not enjoying your kisses include hissing, swatting, biting, flattened ears, fast tail flicking, and intense meowing. On the flip side, behaviors that suggest your kitty is loving the physical affection are things like purring, rubbing, licking, wrapping their tail around you, slow blinking at you, leaning into you, and head-butting. Some of these are great signs a cat has bonded with you. Forming a real bond with your kitty can definitely improve your mood, too.

There are several cat breeds that are known for being more laid-back, cuddly, and affectionate than others. These include Maine coon, Norwegian forest cat, ragdoll, Scottish fold, and Birman cats. But that's not an end-all, be-all list. Every individual cat has their own level of comfort with physical affection and kisses. It's up to you to note and respect their boundaries.

If you have a cat who doesn't love human kisses, there are other things you can do to express your love. Some cats love toys or games. While they might not enjoy the smothering nature of a kiss, they may love a chin scratch or a head pat. Of course, you can also lavish your kitty with an appropriate number of treats and things like catnip. But watch out for warning signs that your cat enjoyed too much catnip — it is possible.

When you show your cat affection, it's important to keep the display within your cat's comfort zone. While every cat has their own threshold for physical touch, there are some general things to keep in mind. First, stay away from their lips and mouth — that's way too close for many kitties. Cat mouths can also house bacteria or parasites that you do not want to spread to you.

Second, you want to make sure to reserve physical touch for the places on their body that they enjoy. For many cats, that means the cheeks, chin, head, neck, back, and the base of their tail. But typically, cats do not enjoy being petted on the tummy, legs, paws, or tail. In the wild, those would be the most vulnerable areas. Figuring out how your cat likes to interact is a slow game of trial and error, but as long as you listen to their cues, you'll be able to form a special bond.