disclaimer: this is meant for the curious, maybe sad, souls wondering if their cat even has a smidge of affection for them. if your cat clearly adores you, this isn’t for you. we love that for you, but please leave.

these aren’t surefire signs of love, but they mean something. or at least we hope. and at the end, we share how you can show your cat some love. even if it’s unrequited.

5 signs your cat (might) love you

1. they acknowledge your existence when you come home

this is a tricky one. because you may arrive home right in the middle of nap time. BUT if you get home (and it’s not near feeding/napping time) and your cat STILL walks up to greet you… they may actually love you. if they only turn their head, they might tolerate you. and zero acknowledgement? well, sorry. 

2. they meow for attention

okay, yes, i know. cats meow. it’s not a sudden sign they like you. but hear me out. cats have discovered the only way of communicating with us is through a high-pitched meow. so when they do it, it means something! more specifically, the “trill-meow” can be a greeting or an indication they need something from you—and that something could be affection. 

3. they cuddle with you or sit on your lap

this is pretty clear-cut. as you know, cats need their space. so if they’re choosing to be near you, they really love you.

4. slow blinks

if you’ve ever looked at your cat and they blink verrry slowly at you, that means they trust you. cats like to be alert and aware of their surroundings. so if they close their eyes longer than they need to, they’re saying “i feel safe with you”. 

5. they follow you around (nonchalantly, of course)

you walk to another room. your cat is there. you move again. they follow. if your cat is always conveniently in the same room as you, they could love you. as long as your cat is healthy and okay, this means they simply enjoy your presence. what a lovely thing.

5 ways to show your cat love

if you’ve got a shy cat or a new kitty at home, here’s how you can show them you care. we can’t guarantee instant results, but the little things add up. building a bond takes time! so don't be too sad if it takes a few weeks (or months) for them to warm up to you. 

1. treats (duh)

food is the way to a cat's heart. isn’t that the same for us? pamper them with a variety of treats and flavors. (most cats go nuts for tuna and chicken.) but if you really wanna speed up the bonding process, tube treats are the way to go. they’re super creamy, and hand feeding your cat is a great way to get some quality time in. 

2. “ask” before petting

cats can get overstimulated pretty easily. show them you’re safe to be around by lightly holding out your hand before petting them. if they’re open to being pet, they’ll nudge your hand or get closer. if they walk or run away, let them be. 

3. schedule in play time

we say this a lot, but play with your cat everyday! even if it’s 10 minutes. they need to stay active to stay healthy. see if they like feather wands, cat tunnels, catnip toys, plastic springs… there’s a lot out there!

4. use positive reinforcement

if you’d rather have your cat scratch their scratching post (and not your expensive couch), reward them for good behavior. redirection and positive reinforcement will always be the best option. we love giving our kitties some freeze-dried chicken (and catnip) when we get them a new scratcher. 

5. talk to them (really)

they may not understand you, but your attention is important to them. greet them when you enter a room. talk to them while you make dinner. respond when they meow at you. and remember slow blinks? if you ever make eye contact, do a slow blink as a way to say “i love you”. 

patience is a cat’s love language 

if you’re reading this, you’re already doing great. don’t worry if your cat isn’t cuddling you right away (i know, easier said than done). as long as you give them a safe environment, respect their space, and shower them with yummy treats, they'll love you. eventually.