Are your cats affectionate?

So most weekday mornings I usually grab my cup of coffee and sit in my living room watching the morning news before I make my way out to work. Toby once in awhile will come over to me and put his paws on me as if he's trying to convey his need for me to stay home with him. He is NOT a lap cat like my other cat Bugsy. He doesn't like to be picked up but will always allow me to if I want to cuddle him to death, lol. I can only think that he is truly showing me his affection for me. I've recently read some crazy study that said that cats are not affectionate and that couldn't be further from the truth as evident from these pictures shown below. Do your cats show you affection and if so, how do they show it to you? 





....of course I gave him rubs and scritches for his show of affection and it breaks my heart to get up and move away from him when he is in this mood, lol!

Aww he is too cute! My adopted stray is very affectionate she insist on rubbing her head against my face and hands. She also likes to but heads. When I first took her in she would not come near me - now she follows me everywhere!

Cats are affectionate, they just are a lot more choosy and don't crave to please like dogs do. In my 50 years of owning cats, the males have seemed to be more affectionate then the females, who seem to be more aloof, but you feel so good when they do pay attention to you it's worth it! I really think theyall have their own personalities and own temperaments, a laid back lovable kitten usually will be that way when they grow up, a skittish, timid one will be that way too. It sems that ALL kittens crave cuddling and love, it's a sad day when they don't crave it as much, the baby has grown up!

Wow! So beautiful, I don't know know much about cat psychology but I do know about the 2 types of science: exact (like math and physics) and generalized (statistics and some branches of biology). I can certainly tell you that "studies" are not exact nor precise as they take a random number of samples (individuals) from god knows where or how they were selected and are subjected to certain tests that may also have prejudice for a certain result skewing the conclusions.

TL;DR - "Studies are not precise, there will always be someone that does not match the average"

My boy Grinnie the Kitt is very affectionate as well. He'll lay down next to me and just sleep or knead my legs for him to get back rubs, he'll roll around, headbutt me and talk to me for attention. My family loves him to bits and from time to time call him "annoyingly affectionate" since they were not cat people before he was born in our home.

His momma Gato Grin is the loveliest lady ever. She's very gentle, sweet, loves her back rubs and to talk, we meow back and forth. She also waits in a pillar by the door when I leave and get home for extra rubs. I did some tests and noticed she's not there other times of the day.

Wanda is a princess. She's the runt and is very independent, she likes to roam around and not so much held like a baby   but she LOVES sitting in my arms and being paraded through the house. When she's tired of it, she'll meow and I'll put her down. She does like to sit by me and go to sleep. I don't know if they do this cause they feel protected by me or because they like to be near me. Either way, I don't mind the closeness 

I believe each cat has their own individual personality and a study that most likely took a very small (and not representative) sample of cats does not change my mind about their love for us humans.

Toby is so handsome! That belly and back look sooo rub-able!   

To be fair, the study was more about cats only showing affection because they want something like food or attention, not because they actually care or love their human. Its hard for me to think that when I look at him and see the way he is looking back at me. I know when they want food and when they want attention because they have displayed that to me countless times! This morning, I could tell that he was displaying an affection of trust and love just by the way he was behaving. I think we all come to learn about our cats from our interactions with them and its hard for me to think that my cat is incapable of showing/displaying affections of trust and love other than the other obvious things.

@MajiksGirl.....Thank you! He actually loves it when you rub his belly! Well....when I do it. Not sure he'd like (or even let!) someone else doing it, lol!

My Burt follows me every where I go, and gets on my lap or as close as he can every time I sit down. Why would he do this if he didn't feel something for me? All my cats rub on my legs and arch their backs when petted, and not only when they are being fed. Why would my ferals come to be petted when there is no food? They shy away from every one else, and will bolt if you try to hold them, but I think they crave human contact and touch. 

My cats are both super affectionate. The male will knead my face and stomach with his paws constantly - and if I'm on my iPad watching movies, he'll lay on it. He'll also rub his mouth/gums on my face (and in my mouth if I don't catch him quick enough!)  Apparently this is a sign of affection for cats, rubbing their scent on you? I just think it's gross!  

The female prefers to lick hands until you pet her. If you don't pet her quick enough, she'll nibble your fingers. So maybe her affection is self serving?

GrooveRite said:

 
To be fair, the study was more about cats only showing affection because they want something like food or attention, not because they actually care or love their human. Its hard for me to think that when I look at him and see the way he is looking back at me. I know when they want food and when they want attention because they have displayed that to me countless times! This morning, I could tell that he was displaying an affection of trust and love just by the way he was behaving. I think we all come to learn about our cats from our interactions with them and its hard for me to think that my cat is incapable of showing/displaying affections of trust and love other than the other obvious things.

@MajiksGirl.....Thank you! He actually loves it when you rub his belly! Well....when I do it. Not sure he'd like (or even let!) someone else doing it, lol!

Click to expand...

Ahh, yes! My Wanda only allows me to pick her up, even if it's for a short while or to get her cat-sage (cat massage ). She's not like that with the rest of my family, she runs from them and only lets them rub her head when I hand her to them, even then, it's only a little. I think she tolerates me best 

out of my 5, my oldest who is 8 is the least affectionate. he'll get on my lap once in a blue moon and i'm really the only one who can pet him without getting nipped. he's a very neurotic little cat. we found him near death at about 3-4 weeks old and he was very affectionate as a kitten. idk why but the older he gets the more he wants to be left alone. he always sleeps at the foot of my bed.  valentine who turned 1 in july is affectionate mainly to me but she likes all humans and will happily tolerate my 22 month old granddaughter. tucker (he was my 1st foster baby i got at 8 weeks old and kept) who is 9 months old was super affectionate as a young kitten but now that he's hit puberty he shows it less. he used to be my little shadow, now, not so much but he still sleeps beside me. my 2 6 month olds are 2 of the most affectionate cats i've ever had the privilege to serve. sasha is 2 weeks older than moe and they take turns lying on my chest licking me and purring non-stop. moe was also a foster failure had severe coccidia and almost died on me. i got his litter when they were 5 weeks old and he's the only one who still has to suckle on something and that something is usually me! earlobes, hands, chin etc...sasha likes to wake me up by licking or biting (not hard) my nose. they both always sleep beside me too. they all do the leg rubbing and head butts but tucker is the talker of the pride. they all have very distinct personalities. whenever my granddaughter is asleep they will all take turns laying beside her.

Love those pics, what a lovely cat. Macha is very affectionate, she likes to be petted  then she will massage me for a few minutes. She loves to wash  me  (am I that dirty?)  LOL  She follows me around even in the bathroom and asking me to pick her up and hold her then lay down on the floor and purring non stop. At night she likes to sleep by my side and I cuddled her....her favorite is cuddling.

Di and Bob said:

 
My Burt follows me every where I go, and gets on my lap or as close as he can every time I sit down. Why would he do this if he didn't feel something for me? All my cats rub on my legs and arch their backs when petted, and not only when they are being fed. Why would my ferals come to be petted when there is no food? They shy away from every one else, and will bolt if you try to hold them, but I think they crave human contact and touch. 

Click to expand...

I agree especially with the end of your last sentence. 

Paiger8 said:

 
My cats are both super affectionate. The male will knead my face and stomach with his paws constantly - and if I'm on my iPad watching movies, he'll lay on it. He'll also rub his mouth/gums on my face (and in my mouth if I don't catch him quick enough!)  Apparently this is a sign of affection for cats, rubbing their scent on you? I just think it's gross!  

The female prefers to lick hands until you pet her. If you don't pet her quick enough, she'll nibble your fingers. So maybe her affection is self serving?

Click to expand...

I guess we're both lucky to have affectionate cats in our lives, lol! Toby will start to drool after a good petting session with him. I'm not sure how I'd feel if he rubbed his mouth and gums on my face (and mouth!) though, lol! You have a special bond there my friend!

ellag said:

 
out of my 5, my oldest who is 8 is the least affectionate. he'll get on my lap once in a blue moon and i'm really the only one who can pet him without getting nipped. he's a very neurotic little cat. we found him near death at about 3-4 weeks old and he was very affectionate as a kitten. idk why but the older he gets the more he wants to be left alone. he always sleeps at the foot of my bed.  valentine who turned 1 in july is affectionate mainly to me but she likes all humans and will happily tolerate my 22 month old granddaughter. tucker (he was my 1st foster baby i got at 8 weeks old and kept) who is 9 months old was super affectionate as a young kitten but now that he's hit puberty he shows it less. he used to be my little shadow, now, not so much but he still sleeps beside me. my 2 6 month olds are 2 of the most affectionate cats i've ever had the privilege to serve. sasha is 2 weeks older than moe and they take turns lying on my chest licking me and purring non-stop. moe was also a foster failure had severe coccidia and almost died on me. i got his litter when they were 5 weeks old and he's the only one who still has to suckle on something and that something is usually me! earlobes, hands, chin etc...sasha likes to wake me up by licking or biting (not hard) my nose. they both always sleep beside me too. they all do the leg rubbing and head butts but tucker is the talker of the pride. they all have very distinct personalities. whenever my granddaughter is asleep they will all take turns laying beside her.

Click to expand...

I think I've been blessed to have such sweet and docile cats because prior to having mine, I had a few run ins with some weird, crazy, and even violent cats! I can only assume that they had behavioral issues or just a bad owner unfortunately. My cats were rescues from my backyard (Toby and Fifi) and front stoop (Bugsy) and they've been affectionate for a majority of their time with me! They vary but more often than not, they're in my face or between my legs relaxing and getting many lubbins (Love + Rubs) from me!

Macha 143 said:

 
Love those pics, what a lovely cat. Macha is very affectionate, she likes to be petted  then she will massage me for a few minutes. She loves to wash  me  (am I that dirty?)  LOL  She follows me around even in the bathroom and asking me to pick her up and hold her then lay down on the floor and purring non stop. At night she likes to sleep by my side and I cuddled her....her favorite is cuddling.

Click to expand...

Thank you! Oh yeah I absolutely know about the bathroom! I swear EVERY TIME I go to the bathroom, Toby is in there asking me to pet him! lol! What is it about the bathroom that makes them go in there?? I guess its because they're used to being petted in there when you're sitting down, lol! 

LOL​, they want to know what are we doing there lol we can't have any privacy at all, if I close the door, she gonna scratch the door and talking non stop.

Once you pet them in the bathroom, it's obligation to pet them all the time LOL

anneno2 said:

I'm an old lady that has had cats for all of my adult life. I couldn't breath without a cat close in my life. But something else I've learned. Cats are users! Some chose to call it affection. Well okay if that's what  sails your boat. Me, I've watched cats from every angle and these are my views. If a cat wants something NOW he, she it, has devised a technique to achieve that end.. Chummy up to the CanOpener acka you and will do ANYTHINGto get what that conniving feline wants. If you have an itchy spot, same thing. Can opener will scratch it just pretend affection and whackoh itch is taken care of. Been in the house all day while CanOpener goes SOMEWHERE, ah here comes CanOpener, chummy up  wrap around the legs, (They are deficient, they only have two)and CanOpener drops everything even a bathroom trip to first get YOU some food, and to make sure she knows how crabby you are at being left alone don'tt eat the first can of food wait until she's busting for the bathroom and  has opened four cans then eat the first can because that was your choice all along.I'm going to raise Hell with this post,but still and all cats are users. Lovely ones for sure, able to wrap our hearts around their paws, but users just the same. regards anneno2 

Click to expand...

They're only users if you allow them to use you, lol! In all seriousness....It's all a matter of perception. You may think they're users while I might think they're needy and loving animals. To each their own

My first cat was when I was 6, I had him until I was 23. He had two very different sides and not everyone got to see sweet Stripey. He was a very wild cat, big (About 18lbs) and played very rough (Playing usually meant you would walk away with battle wounds). He tolerated people like my brother and friends, extended family and totally avoided strangers. Most people just saw his rougher side, but with me  and also my mum, he was the soppiest most caring cat in the world. He was incredibly loyal and knew exactly when I needed a cuddle or cheering up. If I was sad, I could barely tear up before he was there, on my lap, purring away. 

Incidentally, when my best friend (Whom I knew since I was 5, so Stripey always knew her) was diagnsed with Cancer at 21, the first time she came round my house (Instead of remaining indifferent to her like he had always done) Stripey was adamant she needed attention and sat on her lap quite faithfully purring and nuzzling. I didn't say anything but I knew he was just looking after her. 

Basil, my 5 month old kitten on the other hand, very different! He is an absolute sweetheart through and through. He is a Ragdoll cross and having done a little reading, he's got the Ragdoll disposition 100%. He loves all my family and friends and the dog, follows you around the house and gives you this look, which I now know to mean 'nose rub time!' and he will climb up you to rub noses. I've never known such an obviously affectionate cat, he really reminds me of a dog tbh! And again, he's got that knack of just *knowing* when someone needs cuddles. He's definitely not a lone cat he thrives off company. I'm looking forward to see how Basil grows up as he's still just a baby really. 

Most of my cats have been affectionate, though I have not had that many.  

The cats who live with me now are both loving guys.  Boris likes to lay on my arm or shoulder while I recline and read.  He used to like my lap, but ever since I got a new chair, he does not like the lap anymore.  The chair is a mesh office chair and I think he doesn't trust the mesh since he can see through it.  I'm shopping around for another chair.      Boris is usually in the chair next to me.  Often when I speak to him, he will roll over onto his back to have his belly rubbed.  He knows how much I love to rub his belly!  It is so thoughtful of him to offer so often!  I was unhappy about something recently and he stood up, put his paws on my leg and looked into my face as if to ask what was wrong.  I was touched.

Diamond loves to get on my lap while I am at my desk.  He mostly stands, sometimes sits.  He will only stay for five or ten minutes unless I cradle him in my arms.  But he's back in half an hour  He loves it when you put your hand over his head, push his ears down and give him a whole head massage.  He loves having a fuss made over him.  He likes to lie on my chest and purr while I read.  You can pick him up anytime.  He likes to lean out as far as he can while you are holding him, which makes him heavy and hard to hold.  At first I thought he wanted down when he did this, but when I try to put him down, he stays.  He rubs against my legs, or the table leg, or the lamp when he wants attention.  He gives affection to everyone - and everything!  Except Boris.       They really like Diamond at the vets.  

Human contact and attention seem very important to both these guys.  They can soak up about any amount of affection I give them, and they give back plenty.

My Poppy Bear isnt an affectionate kitten but she is only 8 months old. She always just want to play. However, she does show me affection during 2 times of the day. Morning time when she cuddles and purrs right by my face. But her biggest display of affection is how she says hello when I get home ever since she was just 8 weeks she insists I pick her up and she licks my whole face. This is every single day when I get home without fail. Puts her front paws on my leg so I can pick her up and then licks me non stop. When I left for 2 weeks and came back from my field course she WOULD NOT leave me alone haha. Licked my face till it felt raw. She also likes go watch my car leave in the morning from the window. It's cute.

anneno2 said:

I'm an old lady that has had cats for all of my adult life. I couldn't breath without a cat close in my life. But something else I've learned. Cats are users! Some chose to call it affection. Well okay if that's what  sails your boat. Me, I've watched cats from every angle and these are my views. If a cat wants something NOW he, she it, has devised a technique to achieve that end.. Chummy up to the CanOpener acka you and will do ANYTHINGto get what that conniving feline wants. If you have an itchy spot, same thing. Can opener will scratch it just pretend affection and whackoh itch is taken care of. Been in the house all day while CanOpener goes SOMEWHERE, ah here comes CanOpener, chummy up  wrap around the legs, (They are deficient, they only have two)and CanOpener drops everything even a bathroom trip to first get YOU some food, and to make sure she knows how crabby you are at being left alone don'tt eat the first can of food wait until she's busting for the bathroom and  has opened four cans then eat the first can because that was your choice all along.I'm going to raise Hell with this post,but still and all cats are users. Lovely ones for sure, able to wrap our hearts around their paws, but users just the same. regards anneno2 

Click to expand...

then even children are users. All innocent things that require our care would be users. And while I think that's true for the first while of owning a catvi think after a few years you start to mean a little more than just can opener. My kit follows me everywhere , comes when called ALWAYS she has never ignored me. She comes at bed time and gets in her bed. While she does use me to some extent it is because she needs me to be healthy and happy and feed her.

Yep So true. At the moment I'm suffering a classic case of ,No cat. but I do believe the time is coming fast when I'll ring the local pound. Regards anneno2