While it can be tempting to shower our feline friends with hugs and kisses to express our love, many cat owners wonder whether their pets actually understand these human gestures. According to pet experts, the answer may surprise you.
What Do Cats Think When We Hug Them?
Even though cats and humans share some emotional traits, communication can be lost in translation. Many cat owners instinctively hug and kiss their pets, but this is a behavior that cats have most likely learned from humans rather than one they naturally understand.
In a viral TikTok video from cat food brand Whiskas, a woman stands in front of her cat, who stretches up and places its paws on her chest. The woman then pets the cat, and the cat responds by head-bumping her affectionately. The video's overlay text reads: "If your cat hugs you with both paws, it's likely a trait they've learned from you."
This mimicry is one of many ways cats adapt to human behavior. They may match your daily routine, sleep schedule, or even mimic vocalizations and postures. Science indicates that such behavior is a sign of deep affection, comfort, and an adaptable mind.
Do Cats Actually Like Being Hugged?
Most cat owners know that cats have strong independent streaks. As natural solitary hunters, being tightly restrained or lifted off the ground can make them feel trapped or stressed. However, according to the website Catster, individual cats respond differently to hugs. "Many enjoy being hugged and may return the hug with other signs of affection, like purring, licking, and snuggling," the site states. Breeds such as the laid-back Scottish Fold, loving Ragdoll, and heat-seeking Sphynx may be more likely to enjoy hugs, but each cat is an individual.
If your cat does not like hugs, it does not mean they do not love you. They simply express affection in different ways. Instead of forcing physical affection, experts recommend focusing on your cat's unique "love languages." These include slowly blinking at your cat—the equivalent of a "kitty kiss"—offering your finger for them to sniff or gently bonking noses (a way for them to mark you as territory), and daily brushing, which mimics mutual grooming and strengthens your bond.
