Girl and Cat Nose to Nose

About this drawing

A girl and cat nuzzling are using one of the oldest greetings in the feline world. When two friendly cats meet, they often bring their noses together for a quick sniff. If your pet does this to you, it is treating you as part of the family.

Scent is central to how cats connect. Their noses are many times stronger than ours, and they identify companions largely by smell. A brief touch tells them who you are and where you have been. That explains the careful sniffing of your hands and face when you come home after a long day.

The next step is often the head bump, which cat lovers sometimes call bunting. A cat pushes its forehead or cheek against your chin, your leg or the corner of the couch. Those areas contain scent glands that release pheromones, chemical signals that humans cannot detect. In effect, the cat is blending its smell with yours and marking you as trusted.

Want to return the greeting? Hold out one finger at nose height, without pushing it forward, and wait. Many cats will tap it with their nose and then rub along it. That simple gesture leaves the choice up to them. Rushing in with your whole face is a different matter, since a big head moving in suddenly can feel threatening to a small animal.

• girl
• cat
• cat greeting
• hearts