Why Do Cats Rub Their Face on Corners? 5 Vet-Verified Reasons

August 6, 2024

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Cats usually interact in behaviors that depart us feeling puzzled or confused. Even although we’d discover them to be unusual, many of those behaviors are regular for cats. New cat homeowners could also be stunned by simply how a lot their cats will rub their faces towards corners, objects, and even individuals. However, this motion is widespread feline habits, and also you don’t often need to be alarmed by it.

While it’s not utterly sure why cats will rub their cheeks towards corners, cat behaviorists and consultants do share a couple of widespread speculations. Here are a couple of potential the explanation why your cat could rub their face on corners.

The 5 Reasons Why Cats Rub Their Faces on Corners

1. Marking Territory

One of probably the most broadly accepted theories for cats rubbing their faces on corners is that they’re leaving their scent on objects. Cats use scents to speak, they usually have scent glands positioned round their cheeks. When cats rub their faces on objects, they depart behind a scent that different cats can detect. Cats can choose up details about different cats once they sniff these scents.

Cats could are likely to favor rubbing their cheeks towards corners as a result of corners present the very best grip for them. Rubbing their faces towards flat partitions could be harder, so that they’ll often go for wall and furnishings corners.

cat-rubbing-its-face-on-wood Image Credit: bombermoon, Shutterstock

2. Greeting

It’s widespread for cats to greet one another by rubbing their faces. This habits permits them to change scents and be taught extra about one another. If your cat begins to really feel comfy and likes you, they’ll begin to rub their cheeks towards you as quickly as you come back dwelling to them. You can take this as an indication that your cat is greeting you and eager to let you recognize that they like that you just’re dwelling.

It’s essential to notice that not all cats will interact on this habits with people. So, you don’t need to be too involved in case your cat doesn’t rub their cheeks towards you. They’re most likely exhibiting you’re keen on and affection by different means and expressions.

3. Wanting Attention

Cats are observant animals and are fast to know what types of behaviors seize your consideration. Therefore, if in case you have a behavior of giving your cat consideration once they rub towards you, they’re extra prone to proceed this habits. This habits is strengthened every time you acknowledge your cat once they rub their face towards you. Consequently, many cats will begin to rub their cheeks towards their homeowners once they’re bored, hungry, or feeling lonely.

Gray-cat-rubbing-against-womans-leg Image Credit: Gordana Sermek, Shutterstock

4. Showing Affection

Your cat can also rub their cheeks towards you as a method of exhibiting affection. Similar to marking territory, cats depart their scent on individuals by rubbing their cheeks towards them. Rather than seeing it as possessiveness, you’ll be able to obtain this habits as a praise. Cats received’t rub their cheeks towards individuals they don’t belief or don’t like. So, you’ll be able to take it as an indication that your cat likes you and sees you as certainly one of their very own in the event that they begin to rub their cheeks towards you.

5. Stress Relief

The act of rubbing faces towards one thing usually feels comforting and enjoyable for cats. So, they might interact on this habits once they need to chill out or self-soothe. Sometimes, cats will start to rub their faces towards one thing once they’re feeling confused or anxious and need to relax.

Cats additionally often begin to rub their cheeks towards issues once they calm down and really feel comfy in a house. In this context, you’ll be able to take this habits as signal that signifies your cat acknowledges that your private home can also be their dwelling.

cat-rubbing-its-face-on-the-wall Image Credit: Irina Safonova, Shutterstock

Is It Bad if My Cat Rubs Their Faces on Everything?

While rubbing faces on objects and folks is widespread habits in cats, there are some instances when it could actually point out an underlying drawback. Sometimes, rubbing faces can develop into a compulsive habits, which is often attributable to a illness or psychological well being difficulty. For instance, cats can begin to rub their faces and press their head towards issues repeatedly once they have trauma to the pinnacle or nervous system, encephalitis, or tumors. Cats can also resort to compulsive head urgent in the event that they’re below numerous stress or have anxiousness.

Compulsive habits of this kind can also be usually accompanied by different indicators. Your cat can also show elevated pacing or circling. They can also develop into disoriented or lack coordination. Sometimes, you may discover sudden adjustments in temper or habits.

If you think your cat’s habits is irregular, it’s finest to contact your veterinarian straight away for a bodily examination. Your veterinarian can diagnose the reason for the habits and supply the suitable therapy.

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Conclusion

For probably the most half, you don’t have to fret in case your cat is rubbing their face towards corners and different objects. In reality, you’ll be able to take it as a praise in case your cat begins to rub their cheeks towards you. If you do discover that your cat is beginning to rub their face towards issues way more regularly or discover different adjustments of their habits, don’t hesitate to seek the advice of your veterinarian to find out what’s inflicting these adjustments.

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