Question of the Year: Do cats like kisses?

Cats are kissable, it’s a scientific fact. Although we couldn’t find any real science reports to back this up, we all know it's true. But do cats like kisses from their humans? Do kitties see this as a form of cat affection or do cats and kisses simply not mix?

As always at TrustedHousesitters, we’re not afraid to answer the most serious and philosophically challenging of questions. That includes: Do cats like kisses? We’ll unravel this ancient mystery by understanding if they understand whether or not this is a sign of love and affection, how cats show affection for each other, and whether our feline friends know that these kisses (whether unwanted or not) are us telling them how much we love them.

Do cats like kisses?

Let’s turn this question to ourselves: Do all humans like kisses? No, is the short answer. Like us people, each cat has a preference over how much physical contact they want each day. While some breeds are more predisposed to enjoy human attention (like Siamese cats or Russian Blue cats), others (such as the Bengal or Maine Coon) prefer to live a more independent life. So, if you’re cat never says no to a cuddle, scritch, or scratch, they’ll probably appreciate a kiss or two too!

Remember, every kitty, even the most chilled-out lap cat has a ‘kitty timer’ - a maximum daily limit of human attention. If they’re not in the mood to be stroked, they ain’t in the mood to be kissed.

It’s important to understand your cat’s body language. If they’re literally pawing at you for attention, jumping into your lap for a stroke, or they’re rubbing against your legs and looking up at you, it’s safe to assume they want at least a cuddle. But, any cat behavior where they shrink away from your touch or they don’t want to sniff your hand means you need to find something else to entertain you.

Do cats understand kisses?

It’s important to remember that cats' brains work differently from ours. Actually, scratch that, cats' brains work differently from all other pets. In the world of whiskers and claws, feline affection isn’t displayed through kisses and cuddles. To them, it’s another form of bizarre human behavior. However, because kisses are often accompanied after or by a cuddle or stroke, so it’s easy to associate a kiss with paw-sitive actions.

Similarly, there’s evidence that cats show affection by licking our faces and rubbing their faces against ours (AKA bunting). While this type of cat behavior is seen as a form of affection communication between cats, it could also be their version of a kiss.

How do cats show affection?

So, cat-to-cat communication can be varied, but cat affection is often shown through bunting, being close to each other, sleeping next to or across one another, and also washing or licking each other. Cats that have a strong attachment will use licking to assert themselves and also mark their scent on them (which is apparently also a good thing). So, could this mean that cats see our slobbery kisses as a version of this? Sadly, the questionnaires we sent out to some of our cat members have yet to be deciphered, but results could be in any day now…

Another big giveaway is the fabled slow blink. When a cat half or fully closes their eyes in a soft, lengthy blink this is cat language for ‘I like you, I feel safe, you’re pretty cool’. If notice your cat staring at you and doing this, try to do a slow blink back at them. At worst, they may think you have something in your eye. 

Do cats know we love them?

Ah, the question of love? Do cats know we love them? Do our cats love us? Well, while what we see or perceive as showing love might mean something a bit different to felines. The concept of love is a very human thing, however, forming close bonds and strong attachments transcends species. Bonds are an important part of nature - they keep groups of animals safe, help them find mates to reproduce, and also protect their young and vulnerable.

When we make our feline friends feel safe, when we give them wanted attention and cuddles and strokes, this is still a type of bonding. The more we do it, the more comfortable a cat becomes to our attention, and the bond becomes closer. So, yeah, it’s safe to say cats do understand we’re trying to show affection. Just so long as it’s completely on their terms.

What do you think, do cats like kisses? Start the cat chat on our Community Forum and discuss the language of cats with other feline fanatics. Anyone can join in, you don’t have to be a member! But, we would love to have more pet people like you as part of our global community. Take a look at our different membership options, see which one could work for you, and maybe we’ll see on the site in the not-too-distant future…