How Does Your Cat Show Affection?

Published September 2, 2010

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Ok! I will readily admit when I am talking about our cats, I often lose my sense of objectivity. I am frequently prone to talk about them a lot, and once, was even accused by a dear cat veterinarian friend that I am addicted to kitties. Meow Culpa!

But I am sure you understand that it is difficult to be owned by two such handsome, intelligent, and affectionate felines, who have delightful senses of humor, and resist running off at the fingertips about them at times. So please forgive my occasional bursts of bragging and be gentle with me.

While my love affair with both my cats is a constant in my life, each of them demonstrates their affection towards me uniquely. Hush Puppy, wearing a huge grin, plops in my lap and snuggles his body as closely to me as possible. He rests his head securely on my leg while he softly purrs himself to sleep.

Hubble, on the other hand prefers communicating his love verbally. He enjoys accompanying me around the house, brushing his body against my legs, keeping up a constant monologue with his meows, trills, and chirps while looking up at me adoringly with his beautiful big blue eyes, which follow my every move.

But what I most enjoy about Hubble's extensive repertoire of affection is his penchant for "shampooing" my hair whenever I am sprawled on the couch watching television. As far as I am concerned, since his scalp massages are so incredibly relaxing, the only downside to this bit of bonding behavior is I fall asleep immediately, missing the endings of many programs. Oh well, there is always "on demand" to remedy this problem, and it's much safer than taking a sleeping pill.

So I got to wondering if the gift that Hubble so often bestows upon me is uncommon. And while I was cogitating on the issue, I must have been sending out some rather loud vibrations which were quickly received by a psychically gifted friend. Bless her - she must have forwarded it with great affection in order to put my mind at ease.

However, I seriously doubt I will bother to share this video with Hubble. Mind you I am not stingy, but I worry he might attempt some of the moves the featured kitty is demonstrating. They definitely appear somewhat painful, don't you think?

Enjoy this hilarious short video, which inspired my ramblings, uploaded to YouTube by Cheezburger.

Purrhaps its title could be "Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow?" Leave a comment and tell us what you think.

Photo credit: Hubble by Jo Singer

Jo Singer

Shortly after retiring as a social worker and psychotherapist, I discovered my "writer's voice"…

Filed Under: News & Blogs, Trouble Sniffer
Tags: Cats, affection, cat behavior, cat blog, cat grooming

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Comments (13)

Donna9331

Added 09-03-2010 04:32pm

Wheezel loves to sit on the back of my recliner when I've freshly shampooed my hair..she must love the smell of the shampoo...or someting! She tries to lick it clean! LOL

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Donna9331

Added 09-03-2010 04:27pm

Mouse tells me he loves me by gently meeping me awake every morning at 5 AM (yes, even Sat and Sun!) Dang, the cat can tell time but not days of the week? Pi sits on me and 'kneads' Wheezel wants me to rock her side to side, Ches wants me to brush him, Toey just wants a pet or two in her computer room, and Bear ...sorta feral... will sleep with me and chase mouseys and balls for me, but will only stand for being held a few seconds at a time. BUT...I accept each of them for what they are. ALL rescues...and you never know what they went thru the first weeks of their lives. :) I'm just happy they are safe and sound in MY home for ever after.

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Donna9331

Added 09-03-2010 04:30pm

Oh! I forgot Chester! He decides in the middle of the night he wants to be loved and wakes me up with a cold nose and lotsa lovin'....just can't turn that boy away...again, don't know what the first few months of his life were like, but he is mine forever!

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jmuhj (Unverified)

Added 09-03-2010 11:07am

Wow, some great anecdotes here, both from yourself and the other posters! Well, with a large family, we kind of run the gamut, but cuddling close, rubbing and purring are universal. "Helping" watch a good movie or animal program on TV is another group activity we love. And just about everyone here loves grooming -- another opportunity to bond and love!

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Iniki (Unverified)

Added 09-03-2010 10:57am

Alas....I do not have a groomer of this type. I do however have a 5 year old at that I raised from a 10 day old abandoned kitten. He is hopelessly bonded to me. He follows me all over the house and most times is IN THE WAY in front of the keyboard and computer. He sleeps on my pillow at night and fights for position each night with the other cats. His sister Mandy is much like him but more outgoing to the other family members. My husband's cat was rescued from being abandoned in a house after her owner passed away. She spent three months isolated in an empty house living on bugs and mice and left behind garbage and what she could find to eat in the cupboards she pryed opened. This cat is so tightly bonded to my husband that she actually grieves for him when he is away. There is no doubt in my mind that cats do love us and bond with us.

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Sharon from NY

Added 09-03-2010 10:34am

Oh my goodness that's a hysterical video! My two present feline companions are as different as can be regarding displays of affection. I often refer to Shadow, my tortie girl, as my velcro kitty. She loves to follow me around, preferably next to my legs and too often in front of me! Often this is accompanied by vocalizations. She prefers to be attached to me as often as possible, when I am sitting in the recliner watching tv or on the computer or in bed watching tv or reading. Well, attempting to read, since her favorite place to park herself when I am reclining in bed is... on my chest! Shadow often "grooms" me, including washing my face, trying to "groom" my "fur" (ouch... Shadow that's SKIN not fur!) with her teeth. She has never, ever bitten me, but I have been scratched by her claws when she tries to hold my hand still so she can carry out this important function! Now Stella, our newer girl has been much slower to decide if she wants to bestow any affection and to decide how to do so. It took her a long time to warm up. Now she will sometimes suddenly jump up on the arm of the recliner and head butt me or rub up against me arm. VERY recently she has decided to try sitting in my lap- after watching Shadow I presume. The only problem I have is that she has now started to mimic Shadow and "groom" my hand or arm.... sort of... what she does is reach over and bite me- not hard enough to break the skin but enough to startle the heck out of me! Then she stops and looks confused... sort of like..."wait... no fur... now what do I do?" But she is slowly becoming more overtly affectionate which is thrilling to see from a formerly shy, hiding under tables and chairs kitty!