2006-12-03 05:39:28 · 17 answers · asked by charlotte_pushparajan 1 in Pets ➔ Cats
Cats are equipped with glands, located on the forehead, lips, front paws, and on their flanks and rears, that secrete pheromones. It's a form of 'chemical communication'. As others have stated your cat is just marking you as his territory. Cats also like to give subtle reminders that it is feeding time through affectionate rubbing.
2006-12-03 05:46:08 · answer #1 · answered by Peeper Panda 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hi Charlotte...when cats rub against us they are scenting/marking you to tell others that I own this person or this is my territory. Cats are equipped with scent glands on their paw pads; on their cheeks; on the top of the head; and of course, the area that causes guardians the most concern: urine. There are also two little anal glands on either side of the rectum that release a liquid to mark the cat's stool with a specific identifying scent. So from head to toe, scent is a very important form of communication.
Scent glands release pheromones. These are chemicals that provide information about the cat. In the wild, scent is a crucial form of communication because it reveals information about one cat to another without having an actual confrontation. In the wild, it's an extremely important survival tactic. Scent is used to identify members of the same colony, define territory, announce sexual readiness, learn more about unfamiliar cats in the area, or as a form of covert aggression. In terms of covert aggression, a cat may choose to spray to see whether her opponent will back down or whether she'll have to actually engage in a physical confrontation. With an indoor cat, scent plays just as vital a role.
2006-12-03 06:09:21 · answer #2 · answered by ♪ Seattle ♫ 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
They usually try to make the part of their heads between their eyes and ears rub against you,, this is where the scent gland is,, as previously stated, they are saying "mine!" to other cats!
2006-12-03 05:43:35 · answer #3 · answered by Willow 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To claim you as theirs.
Check out what other things your cat does this to - chairs, tables, plants & where they are. You'll notice it's within their core territory, not cos you have nice legs - sorry.
I did have a friend who claimed it was because cats are deviant tho
2006-12-03 06:10:32 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You don't wanna know! Check out what they rub their bodies on/in before your leg!!!
2006-12-03 05:50:26 · answer #5 · answered by JIMBO 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They're marking their territory. Cat's are very territorial animals. They want to keep other cats away from "their property"
2006-12-03 08:56:42 · answer #6 · answered by jrb11010 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To rub their scent on you so if other cats approach you they will smell it and know you belong to them
2006-12-03 05:41:25 · answer #7 · answered by ~Grace~ 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
To let other cats and animals know that they own you.It is like a who owns who.I don't think a cat wants to lose its owner to another cat.That would suck.
2006-12-03 05:57:46 · answer #8 · answered by jess 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe it's a form of appreciation and affection. Mine does that whenever I present him with a bowl of chicken for dinner, or fill up his drinking fountain with fresh water. I guess it's their way of saying "Thank you, I love you" and maybe "Don't stop doing this!"
2006-12-03 05:57:22 · answer #9 · answered by blubber 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
that means they're rubbing their sent on u
2006-12-03 08:40:34 · answer #10 · answered by Nadia Swiftwards 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋