THE cats These are animals that use Body language and chemical signals have relationships with their environment and with people. Although behaviors like rub between legs from their owner may seem like simple gestures of affection, in reality they have a more complex function.
This behavior is linked to the way cats They mark their territory, communicate their feelings and feel safe.
Why Cats Rub and the Language of Pheromones
The cats have specialized glands in various parts of your body, mainly on the head, base of the tail and paw pads. These glands produce pheromoneschemical molecules that cats use send messages both for other animals and for humans.
Although humans cannot detect these pheromones, cats perceive them easilysince their sense of smell is much more developed than ours.
One of the keys to understanding why a cat rubs so insistently is the vomeronasal organ, also called Jacobson organ. This small organ, located between the palate and the nasal passages, allows cats to process olfactory information from pheromones.
When a cat rubs against your legswhat you do is deposit these pheromones in you. It’s their way of marking you as part of their territory and telling other cats that you belong in their social circle. So, felines can feel safer and more comfortablesince they leave their personal “imprint” on their environment.
Mark territory and establish connections
One of the main reasons a cat rubs against objects or people is to mark its territory. This instinctive behavior is essential so that the animal feels safe in its environmentespecially at home.
When a cat marks an object or a person with its pheromones, you indicate that this place or this individual is part of your “safety zone”.
- Mark with your head: When the cat rubs its head, it uses the glands located on its face, which are rich in pheromones.
- Rubbing with the body: In addition to the head, cats also rub other parts of their body to reinforce their territory.
- Between the legs: Rubbing a person’s legs is one of the most common forms of this behavior. The cat not only marks its owner, but also shows a sign of affection and trust.
Owner’s attention as a reward
Another reason a cat rubs against you is because it has learned that this behavior gets it what it wants: your attention. Cats are intelligent animals that can associate certain behaviors with rewards.
If you pay attention every time your cat rubs against you, you pet it or feed ityou will learn to repeat this behavior to achieve the same result.
- A learned behavior: Rubbing their paws or headbutting is a behavior that cats develop over time because they notice that it is effective in getting what they want.
- Demand petting or food: Cats may rub insistently when looking for something, whether it’s food or a sign of affection.
Should I be concerned if my cat won’t stop rubbing?
Generally speaking, a cat rubbing against objects, furniture or people is a completely natural behavior and should not be a cause for concern.
This gesture indicates that the animal feels comfortable and secure in its environment and that it considers the people who live in its home to be part of its social circle. In addition, it strengthens the bond with its owner by exchanging scents.
However, if the behavior becomes excessive or is accompanied by other signs of stressas loss of appetite or aggressive behaviorit may be helpful to consult a veterinarian to ensure the cat is not experiencing any discomfort.
