Your cat is making bickies on your belly
“Sometimes when you pet your cat, you may notice them stretch out their paws and start rhythmically rubbing the area in front of them, be it a blanket, the rug, or your lap. This behaviour is called ‘kneading,’ and was how they would induce milk from their mother,” says Allison Bean, pet behaviour expert and editorial director for The Spruce Pets. “It means they feel safe, warm, and happy with you.” Leave it to cats to show their love with their claws!
Your rabbit jumps up on the couch
It takes a lot more effort for a tiny bunny to jump up and sit on your lap than it does for a cat or a dog, so when they do it, it means they really want to be with their favourite human: You! “Some rabbits will hop up on furniture to sit with you or may just stand up on their hind legs to check out what you are doing,” Char says. “Because they love you they’re interested in your activities (and wondering if you might have a treat for them too!).”
Your cat head-butts you
Think it’s just football players and hooligans who show affection by smacking skulls? Cats do it too, says Bean. “Called ‘bunting,’ this head-butting behaviour is a way for cats to rub their scent on their favourite objects, including humans,” she explains. “So while it seems (and feels!) weird, this actually means your cat really cares about you.” Check out these four strange cat behaviours and what they mean.