What Is A Cat Kiss? Feline Affection Explained

What Is A Cat Kiss?

A cat kiss is not the same as a traditional human kiss where the initiator uses their lips to kiss someone, be it on the cheeks, lips, or forehead. Cats don't physically kiss like humans do; they show their affection through other unique ways.

When it comes to felines, a cat kiss can be understood as a simple act of slow blinking. And, while the slow blinking is usually gradual and relaxed, it's not much different from a traditional blink.

The slow blinking mechanism is often the most effective way for cats to communicate their love towards members of their human families.

Why Do Felines Give Cat Kisses?

The cat kiss is an effective way for cats to express their trust, affection, and comfort. When a cat slowly blinks at you, it signals that they feel safe in your presence. It’s considered the feline equivalent of a loving gesture, like a hug or a kiss in human terms.

Below are some emotional states where cats may find comfort while offering this affectionate behavior:

1. Relaxed

A cat's kiss is a gentle reminder that your pet is relaxed and content living with you. Most cats will give slow blinks when they are in a calm state, an indicator that they feel no threat.

If your cat is resting in its favorite spot, while purring or kneading, and looks at you with half-closed eyes followed by a slow blink, it's their way of sharing their contentment.

2. Gratitude

Cats' kisses often come when you expect them the least. Like dogs, cats are also forever grateful to their humans for all the things they've done for the cat, be it providing food, shelter, or care.

Felines often show their feeling of gratitude right after you do an act of kindness for them. For instance, cat kisses are common right after the cat has been given a fulfilling meal or after a comforting petting session. The kisses are a way of reciprocating their affection and letting you know they appreciate your attention.

3. Bonding Moment

Generally, cats tend to give headbutts to humans whenever they feel like there's a strong bond between them. However, a headbutt isn't the only way to exhibit a growing bond between a feline and a human.

In many cases, cats prefer to give their signature kiss, or slow blinking, as an approval for a strong relationship. If you’re sitting quietly with your cat, while talking to them softly, they may offer you a slow blink to communicate their affection and connection.

4. Responding To Your Slow Blink

Although slow blinking is generally a sign of an emotional connection, cats also perform this act for casual purposes. One of those instances is when they are reacting to a slow blink initiated by a human.

When a cat owner slowly blinks their eyes in front of a cat, the cat may replicate the eye movement to match the motions of its owner. The cat will repeat the movement of its owner or a friendly human. if you try this trick in front of a random street cat, there's a high possibility that the cat will simply ignore it.

How Do Cats Show Affection?

Although cats are not as expressive as dogs, they have a few ways to show their love and affection, either towards humans or other animals. Besides cat kisses, felines have several techniques that use physical and vocal methods to show their affection.

Some popular ways cats communicate their feelings include:

1. Bunting

Also known as headbutting, bunting is an act where the cat brings its head closer to the head of the human, locking the two. A cat may do it to spread its scent to the human's body, marking the person as a part of their territory.

Similarly, the cat may also repeat this action when it is feeling particularly affectionate towards its owner.

2. Purring

A distinct sound made by cats, purring is an indicator of happiness or positivity. Often resembling a motor's noise, the purr sound is emitted when air passes through the vocal folds in a cat's voice box.

The vibration generated from the purr is usually interpreted as a sign of contentment or satisfaction. However, in some cases, the cat may also use the purring sound to communicate a negative emotion.

Purring is also associated with anxiety in cats, as felines often walk aimlessly and purr whenever they are anxious. Similarly, purring is an occasional sign that the cat is sick. In this case, the act of purring is usually done to ask for care from their respective owners.

3. Kneading

Also referred to as making biscuits, kneading is common in kittens; the act involves a cat moving its paws back and forth as if it is molding dough.

Kneading is a behavior mostly associated with young kittens; however, even adult cats can show this behavior occasionally. It's believed that the cat will attempt kneading on your body if it considers you a parental figure.

4. Gifts

Cats show affection by bringing occasional gifts to their owners as a sign of gratitude. While these gifts may not have much monetary value, it's the thought that counts.

In 2023, a South Korean street cat named Meow Som made headlines when it stole over 1000 gloves from a construction site and gifted it to a woman who had been giving it food. While the woman eventually returned the gifts after finding out that they were stolen, she was still happy to continue feeding the grateful cat. 

5. Body Language

Analyzing a cat's body language can help you understand how a cat's posture and movements reflect its emotional state. While their gestures may sometimes seem subtle, they are clear signs of comfort and love when understood correctly.

For instance, when a cat curls up near you or exposes its belly, it's a clear indication that the cat completely trusts you. As the belly is one of the most vulnerable parts of cats, they don't expose it unless they are certain of their safety.

Similarly, a cat with its back arched and relaxed ears means that the feline enjoys your company and may want to spend more time with you.

Besides these, a cat's tail movement is also crucial to determine if the cat is in a happy mood or not. A raised tail curved at the tip is usually a sign that the cat is generally in a good mood.

Do Cats Lick To Show Affection?

Cats are generally considered clean animals due to their self-grooming habits; felines are known to lick themselves clean. However, the self-grooming routine of cats isn't necessarily because they are fond of cleanliness.

In fact, cats usually lick themselves before a hunt or after enjoying a hearty meal. As hunters, felines must go unnoticed in the wild to avoid scaring off potential prey. Due to natural evolution, many of their prey can strong sense of smell that can detect cats from miles away. To avoid this, cats lick themselves clean and remove any scent that may warn the potential prey. Similarly, cats also indulge in the self-grooming habit after a successful hunt to remove the smell of the prey from their bodies.

The feline behavior of licking extends beyond hunting, as these animals are shown to use similar techniques to groom humans or other animals. When a cat playfully licks, it is usually understood as a happy cat cozying up with its owner. Similarly, a cat may also use this as a tool to demand attention and affection from its humans.

On the other hand, if the cat is constantly trying to bite you while it licks, the cat may be showing aggression or discomfort. Cats licking humans can also be used to portray their negative emotions or dissatisfaction.

A cat's lick isn't ideal for humans as its tongue contains barbs that can sting your skin. While this is a normal feature in most carnivores, as the sharp grates help to remove meat from bones, it can be hugely discomforting to someone on the receiving end, especially if it is done on bare skin.

Do Cats Kiss Each Other?

While cats do not kiss each other in the human sense, they are capable of displaying affection through behaviors that serve a similar purpose in their feline world. These affectionate gestures are a way of bonding and building trust with a close companion.

An effective way cats kiss each other is through grooming, where they lick each other’s fur, particularly around the head and neck. This behavior is both a bonding activity and a method of reinforcing trust. It’s most often seen among cats that share a strong social bond, such as siblings or cats raised together.

Likewise, cats also show affection through nuzzling; felines rub their faces or heads against one another, sharing their scent and marking each other as part of their safe group. This exchange of scents strengthens their bond and fosters a sense of familiarity.

Additionally, cats may demonstrate closeness by lying or sleeping together, often in physical contact. This behavior shows trust, as cats are vulnerable during rest and only do this with those they feel safe around. While cats don’t literally kiss, these behaviors demonstrate their unique ways of expressing love and affection within their social structure.