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10 Signs Your Cat Has Bonded With You
Dr. Sarah Wooten, DVM explains what imprinting means for cats, what the science says about how cats attach to their owners, and the 10 behavioral signs that show your cat genuinely trusts and loves you.
This is an educational summary of a public video. Always consult your own vet for advice specific to your cat.SW
Dr. Sarah Wooten, DVM
Video by Cats.com on YouTube | Watch on YouTube
What the science says: A 2019 study published in Current Biology found that over 60% of cats form secure attachments to their owners, using them as a source of comfort and safety. This is similar to the bonds that dogs and human babies form with their caregivers.
10 signs your cat has bonded with you
1
Acting Excited When You Arrive
Starts at 2:39
Your cat runs up to greet you or jumps onto furniture to get physically closer when you walk into the room. This is your cat actively choosing to be near you.
2
Specific Happy Vocalizations
Starts at 2:58
Purring, trilling, chirping, or meows with an upward note are all sounds cats use specifically around people they feel safe and happy with.
3
Making Biscuits (Kneading)
Starts at 3:13
Kneading is a behavior carried over from kittenhood. When a cat kneads on or near you it is showing total comfort and security. It is one of the clearest signs of a strong bond.
4
Head Butting (Bunting)
Starts at 3:35
When your cat rubs its cheeks, head, or tail against you it is depositing scent from its glands and marking you as its own. This is a sign of ownership and deep affection.
5
Tail Held Straight Up
Starts at 4:04
A cat approaching you with its tail straight up in the air, sometimes with a slight curve at the top, is communicating confidence and happiness. It is the feline equivalent of a warm smile.
6
Licking You (Co-Grooming)
Starts at 4:54
Cats groom each other as a way of bonding and showing affection. When your cat licks you it is treating you like a fellow cat it cares about deeply.
7
Sleeping on Your Lap
Starts at 5:27
Choosing to sleep directly in your lap is one of the most vulnerable positions a cat can be in. The fact that your cat does this with you means it trusts you completely.
8
Slow Blinking at You
Starts at 5:45
A long, slow blink from a cat is the ultimate signal of relaxation and connection. In the cat world, holding eye contact is usually a sign of tension, so choosing to close their eyes slowly in front of you is a sign of total trust.
9
Tolerating Things Only From You
Starts at 6:42
If your cat lets you hold them upside down, trim their nails, or touch their paws but would never let a stranger do the same, that is a direct sign of the unique trust they have built with you specifically.
10
Bringing You Gifts
Starts at 7:09
When a cat brings you a mouse, lizard, or favorite toy they are not being gross, they are sharing their prize with someone they hold in high esteem. It is one of the highest compliments a cat can pay you.
All content above is a summary of Dr. Sarah Wooten’s public video on the Cats.com YouTube channel. We do not own this video. Full credit to Dr. Wooten and Cats.com.