Cat headbutting, also referred to as “head bumping” or as vets and behaviorists might say, “head bunting,” is a natural behavior that is prevalent among all felines. You see it in big cats like lions and tigers as well as our domestic friends. If you live with a cat, I’m sure you’ve experienced it. It can be a gentle nudge, a solid whacking of his skull to yours, or an all over face-to-face rub. My Ryder has a full on face rub we call the fang face, since he usually ends up rubbing his teeth against you in the process.
So head bunting entails a cat rubbing its head against an object, the wall, another animal, or even you! The act of headbutting is deeply ingrained in a cat’s social and bonding behaviors. But why do cats headbutt and how should we respond to it?
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What Does it Mean When a Cat Headbutts You or Another Cat?
Headbutting is one way cats communicate with the world around them. They have scent glands on their heads and face that release pheromones; allowing the cats to transmit information to other felines. Cats use these pheromones to mark territory, express affection, and seek comfort if she feels stress or fear.
Cats also use pheromones to identify family members. By headbutting each other, cats create a group scent that helps them form connections with their human and feline friends.
Why Do Cats Headbutt Their Humans?
Bunting shows trust and affection towards human companions and provides Kitty with a sense of security and reassurance. Understanding the motivation behind a cat’s headbutt will enhance your relationship with your cat. Your responses also enrich the overall well-being of your cat.
To Offer a Token of Affection
When a cat headbutts you, it is a sign of love and affection. Cats have scent glands on their head. When they rub their heads against you, they are depositing their scent on you. This bunting behavior is one way for cats to mark their territory and show ownership. When your cat leaves their scents on you, they are claiming you as their own and telling other cats you belong to them.
To Ask for Attention
Cats are known to headbutt their guardians or other people when they want attention or comfort. Headbutting is a way for cats to seek attention from their humans. It is also a way for cats to soothe themselves and feel loved. If Kitty leans into your hand after headbunting you, he is most likely looking for a cuddle and some scritches.
People thinks cats are aloof and detached. But they are wrong. Cats are affectionate but declare it in subtle ways we might miss. A headbutt is one of those.
Related Post: Your Cat Really Does Love You
To Say Hello or Welcome You Home
Headbutting can be a way for Kitty to greet you when you come home. She can find out about your day by exploring your smells. Did you cuddle any other cats while you were away? Who else did you hang out with? And then she will headbutt you and cover up all those “foreign” smells with her own. It is her way of reclaiming you, marking over all those unfamiliar scents you bring in with you from wherever you have been.
To Show Trust
Cats don’t headbutt people that they don’t like or trust. They also never headbunt with rival cats, unfamiliar animals, or objects that make them nervous (like the vacuum.)
When a cat headbutts you, he is showing that he trusts you and feel comfortable around you. This behavior occurs with cats that have a strong bond with their humans. So if your furry friend headbutts you, take it as the compliment that it is.
To Communicate a Need
Is Kitty headbutting you first thing in the morning or before dinner? She’s probably reminding you her dish is empty. Is it meal time or skipped playtime?
To Feel Safe
The familiar “family” scent comforts and calms your cat when she is stressed or anxious. Anxious cats may headbunt to establish their family position, boost their confidence, and release tension during times of stress.
Related Post: Cat Communication
Why Do Cats Headbutt Each Other?
Cats are territorial animals and they use scent to mark their territory. When a cat headbutts an object or person, they leave their scent on it and mark it as their own. This behavior is also a way for cats to communicate with other cats. When two cats headbutt each other, they are exchanging scents, which helps them to recognize each other and build familiarity.
To Establish Social Structure
If you live in a multiple-cat household like I do, you will probably have seen your cats headbutting each other. Headbutting is a way for cats to communicate with each other and to establish a social hierarchy. Usually, when a cat headbutts another animal, whether it is a bonded cat or the family dog, it is a sign of social interaction and acceptance.
To Create a Group Scent
Many people think that cats are solitary creatures. But actually, our furry friends are social animals and can live quite happily in pairs or groups. Headbunting between bonded cats form a group scent to solidify the “family.”
You might notice when you bring a cat back from the vet, the other cats will headbutt their friend and rebuild their group scent. Alternatively, she might not recognize him and get aggressive. You can help out with mutual brushing, rubbing a piece of clothing you’ve worn over both cats, or a blanket the cats sleep on together over the returning cat.
Establishing a group scent communication is vital because it strengthens the bond between multiple cats, prevents aggression in multi-pet households, and ensures peace.
Related Post: the Power of a Group Scent
To Establish Dominance
Beyond a simple sign of affection and acceptance, headbutting establishes a social system. A cat with a higher social rank is the one that initiates the head bunting. This is true of feral cat colonies and your multiple cat household alike.
As a cat guardian, it is important to understand the headbutting behavior and respond to it in a positive way. By doing so, you can strengthen your bond with your cat and build a strong, lasting relationship.
Responding to Cat Headbutts
When a cat headbutts you, it is her way of showing affection and marking you as her own. It is important to respond appropriately to this behavior to strengthen the bond between you and your feline friend.
What to Do When Your Cat Headbutts You?
The most obvious way to respond to Kitty’s headbutting is by petting him. This will show him that you appreciate his affection and will encourage him to continue headbutting you. However, it is important to pay attention to your cat’s body language and stop petting him if they show signs of discomfort or aggression.
Another way to respond is by giving your cat attention. This can include talking to her, playing with her, or simply being in the same room as her. You can also slow blink to Kitty. Slow blinks are a sign of trust and affection in the feline world. By doing these things, you are reinforcing the bond between you and Kitty, showing her that you value her company.
If your cat doesn’t receive affection back from you, he could assume that you don’t want to be affectionate with him and stop trying to build that relationship.
If you think Kitty is using his headbutting to communicate a need, ask him what he wants. With training, he’ll show you. But start with the obvious, is it time to eat? Is the water dish full and the litter box clean? If Kitty is used to going out for a leash walk at a certain time, is his reminding you it’s time to go? Is the headbutt accompanied by a toy he wants to play with?
If your cat is exerting dominance over you or seeking extra attention, ignore the behavior. When your kitty realizes that it’s not working, she will stop bugging you. Do make sure her needs are met though. You don’t want to communicate that she is not important to you.
Creating a Positive Environment
Finally, it is important to pay attention to your cat’s body language and respect his boundaries. If your cat seems uncomfortable or agitated, give him some space and allow him to come to you on his own terms.
By responding appropriately to your cats’ headbutts and creating a positive environment for them, you can strengthen the bond between you and your feline friends and enjoy a happy and healthy relationship.
What a fun article! I remember all my kitties headbutting me. But most fascinating was one of my barn kitties, and my horse would headbutt each other. I always took it as a sign of friendship and affection. I guess I was right. It definitely always warmed my heart when I saw it. I just wish I had a photo of them doing it though.
I love that story of your horse and cat friend
Wow, this is something I did not know about! So interesting! Our cats used to head butt, especially the feral my daughter adopted. I guess he really, really loved us! Great article.
Wow I never knew all this and am learning so much about cats from your blog thank you, this is a real eye opener for me and so so interesting, thank you
Fascinating!!
Our boy Toulouse expects others to headbutt him but he won’t do it to them. I tell him off as he’s being selfish. Sheesh cats! Some of our others don’t headbutt at all, I guess they know their place in the heirarchy!