As a lifelong cat lover, I've had my fair share of learning the quirks of feline behavior over the years. While cats have a bit of a stereotype for being aloof or moody creatures, with time and patience you can develop a real bond with your furry friend. That said, it's natural to sometimes wonder - does my cat actually like me or is it just tolerating me because I feed it?
There are definitely some subtle signs to look out for that may indicate your kitty is less than thrilled with you. So here are a few common tells that your cat is not your biggest fan:
Avoiding Eye Contact: We've all seen those memes about cats staring into your soul, but the truth is cats tend to establish dominance by making direct eye contact. Breaking eye contact is a sign of anxiety or low status in cat social hierarchies. So if Fluffy is constantly looking anywhere but at you, it's expressing discomfort.
Excessive Grooming: When pets groom themselves, it's often a sign of stress or nervousness. Watch for frequent self-grooming around you - a cat licking itself raw may be telling you it's overwhelmed by your presence. To calm their nerves, try giving them space when they begin cleaning themselves.
Ears Back or Tail Down: Cats communicate much of their mood through posture. Ears pulled back and a tail low to the ground are signs of fear or defensiveness. A cat who always seems scared or guarded around you may be overly stressed in your company. Give them a quiet space they can retreat to.
Hissing or Spitting: Obviously, if your cat is vocalizing anger directly at you with hissing, growling or spitting, that's a big red flag. That level of aggression means your feline needs more time to adjust to human interaction. Consult a vet to rule out any medical causes too.
Those are some of the most common body language cues. Of course, your kitty's habits can vary a lot from one to the next too. With patience and understanding their needs, you can turn almost any cat into a friend with time.