Likewise, your cat may just shove its rear directly in your face because it wants to say "hello." I tried to check him out but he squirmed, and I couldn't immediately see any cuts or anything bothering him. Most pet owners don’t mind this. This means that when they head bunt, they emit these pheromones. Licking that causes excessive numbers of hairballs or hair loss is abnormal, Dr. Miller notes. You’ve stepped out of the house for an hour. I have to admit, when my cat constantly pressed her head against everything from my arm to the … You might choose to distract your cat from their staring session by encouraging them to play or setting up a bird-watching station so they can stare out of the window instead. If your senior cat is staring at the wall in between appearing confused or … If she's over 5 months old, you might have a female cat in heat. Your cat is getting older. Your cat has heard something that you can’t, 3. Numerous diseases can cause a cat to feel hunger, thirst, or pain, all of which can lead to excessive meowing. However, there are plenty of reasons not to cut down on it. Cats will head bunt other cats both in the wild and in domesticity. While it looks like they’re staring at the wall, they’re actually concentrating on figuring out what the sound is. Please subscribe :)Kara loves to head butt me to show me her love! Head bunting owners is a bonding ritual for a cat. At one point or another, head bunting is something that all cat owners experience. What You Need to Know! There are a few methods you can use to cut down on cat head bunting. However, this is just one form of communication. We’ve heard stories of families finding rodents or raccoons making nests in their walls after they were alerted to a specific spot by their cat becoming obsessed with staring at it! When a cat presses their head against us, a wall, or other surfaces, it’s a sign of severe discomfort. Cat Nail Biting: What to Do If Your Cat Chews & Pulls His Claws, Why Is My Kitten So Hyper? A dominant cat will use head bunts to communicate with other cats. Other cats sniff its butt in greeting, so why wouldn't you? Learn more. The head bump is intimate and is saved for a cat's closest pet friends and most trusted humans. Called bunting, cats rub their heads against prominent objects to leave chemical markings as a part of scent communication. Is your female cat acting weird? All head bunting is done to communicate, although the purpose of the communication can vary. It seemed like the wet part was almost a little oily, so I thought he may have sat in … This temporary distraction can also end up with your cat staring at the wall, looking a bit zoned out. If your … Originally from the UK, she has lived in Costa Rica and New Zealand before moving to a smallholding in Spain with her husband, their 4-year-old daughter, and their dogs, cats, horses, and poultry. Both domestic cats and wild cats (like lions) will face rub and headbutt with cats they know well. We do our best to help you better understand your cats; however, the information on this blog is not a substitute for veterinary guidance. There are some on their paws, in their mouths, on their chin, and all over ears. What should owners do if their cat is staring at the wall? They can give your cat a full examination and either put your mind at rest or develop a healthcare plan if your cat’s staring habits are a symptom of something more serious. While this is something that they also do to other cats, they only do it to people or things that they like. Making sure your cat has enough enrichment and interest around the house can help keep them happy and healthy. Alex on January 03, 2016: Yes my male cat George licks me I think out of effection. Moreover, the behavior can be directed at other critters or even furniture. Compared with head bunting people, doing it to other cats gives more of a message about their social standing than just affection. If they become too annoying, giving them a toy should give them a distraction. But if you're lying down, that move isn't so straightforward and could end with your cat's butt in an unfortunate place. The scent a cat uses to a dog is like a person speaking in an unknown language. Emma is passionate about rescuing animals and providing them with a new life after being abandoned or abused. share in the comments if your kitty likes to head butt! However, this is just part of your cat communicating with their scents. Licking releases endorphins which can help an anxious kitty self … When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. They decide which gland to use depending on the location of what they want to mark. Sometimes though, a cat can become used to getting what they want in return for a head bunt. The cat headbutt is not when cats stick their heads into another cat’s butt, although that could be another amusing definition. 8 Reasons for This Behavior →, Can Adult Cats Eat Kitten Food? Head pressing is generally a sign of damage to the nervous system, which may result from a number of underlying problems. If you have a few fuzzy faces around the house, you are well aware of the “box battle”. Amelia on April 10, 2016: I love your cat. Sometimes the source of a cat's excessive licking is skin deep. It’s a strange little thing that most cats do. Everyone needs a little time alone, even pets. After a few moments, they usually go back to doing whatever they were doing before. However, even other species that rely a lot on scent don’t quite understand it. However, since this is an affectionate type of behaviour, it isn’t the best idea to try and train them not to do it entirely. Some cats might even do it to other inanimate things in your home. ... there are usually some specific issues which affect the head. 8 Reasons for This Behavior. Contrary to popular belief, a bunting cat is not “claiming” you, or trying to dominate you. You might notice your cat head-butting you, or rubbing up against objects in your home. Cats have scent glands on their foreheads that release pheromones. Also called cerebellar or intention tremors, they are an additional result of damage to the cerebellum. A post shared by Floppycats.com – Ragdoll World (@thefloppycats) on Mar 17, 2017 at 1:13pm PDT Grab the Floppycats FREE Guide: "Top 10 Pawesome Cat Products" that I know your cat will love. There are a few different explanations for why they do this. Click here to join for free! Your cat’s brain works differently than yours. Cats use head bunting to mark other things with their pheromones. Join our community of cat lovers now to reduce ads by 90%! These emit smells and signals that cats use to communicate. Instead, your cat should be politely rewarded for their affection. Whereas headbutting is a normal, healthy social behavior, head pressing can be a symptom of serious neurological conditions. Nibbling to soothe the itch. It is a bit mean to train your cat that their way of expressing affection is wrong, it could send your cat some weird messages. Cats often stop what they’re doing and appear to freeze as they’re trying to figure something out. As long as your cat doesn’t begin to head bunt just to get attention, this is a harmless thing to happen. Your vet will be able to provide personalized advice for how best you can care for your elderly cat at this point. If you’re concerned about your cat staring at the wall, always seek veterinary advice. Despite everyone else’s ignorance, cats head bunt anyone to express affection. Sometimes they’ll do this with some force and sometimes it will be quite light. If you want to … When your cat headbutts you, they are conveying affection and marking you as a trusted member of their colony. Cats living with other cats will often head bunt as a way to show dominance. Cat Nail Biting: What to Do If Your Cat Chews & Pulls His Claws →, Why Is My Kitten So Hyper? A cat head bunting is a quite common behaviour. Cat head bunting might seem like a strange behaviour, but it is really quite normal. If your senior cat is staring at the wall in between appearing confused or disoriented, they may be suffering from cognitive decline. Most of the time, a cat staring at the wall isn’t a problem. So why do cats head bunt? They will have determined that their head is the best thing to use to mark that object of furniture with their own scent. In this case, you should stop indulging your cat every time they do it. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As a matter of fact, "every individual has different shedding patterns -- some very little, some a whole lot," says Dr. Lavallee. They are expressing affection to the other pet, even if the pet doesn’t quite understand what is being said. Cats will often briefly head butt things, including us, as a normal way of leaving their scent pheromones on areas of their territory. Cats lick, nibble and bite at their fur and skin not only to keep clean, but … You shouldn’t tell your cat off for this. Some do it a lot, and some quite rarely. The head bunt is first and foremost a social, friendly behavior. 4 Signs of a Cat in Heat. Head pressing in cats can indicate completely normal behavior, or it can be indicative of a more serious problem. Attention seeking. Head-butting and allorubbing are pieces of the same puzzle. Some things are easier to mark with paws. Time for another Charlie head butt video. If a cat is listening to a particular sound, they may be sitting still. Cats pick up on a lot of information through scents. No other foods or treats should be … In this case, you should stop indulging your cat every time they do it. Messages 117 Purraise 1 Location MA. When a cat head bunts, they are communicating with their owner. After all, most people don’t smash their heads into each other to communicate. →. The Head Holds a Hidden Message Whether you call it head butting, head bumping or head bunting, when a cat pushes her head against her human, she's showing that they feel an extremely close bond with that human. My cat has bald spots due to excessive grooming, she has mites btw and I already took her to the vet for medication. There’s no denying that cats are excellent companions, but sometimes they do something that leaves you scratching your head in total confusion.If you’re used to dogs, cats' social interactions and the way they communicate can be very confusing.Yet it's these special behaviors, like affectionate head-butting and their penchant for cardboard boxes, that make us love them so much.. To help you better … This is an inevitable part of growing old for some cats. Since it is a bonding exercise, it is more important that you respond in the right way. An acknowledgment that they care about you. Sometimes though, a cat can become used to getting what they want in return for a head bunt. Or, you…, Calling all foodies! While it may seem strange that your cat regularly does a small head-butt, it is quite a natural behaviour. That's exactly what a cat is doing when it slides its body along your standing leg — its head starts the move, its butt finishes. Excessive licking episodes sometimes become recurrent, so consider buying a miniature fainting couch and keeping a Freudian cat psychologist on retainer. They mark other cats in their group with their smell. It is likely a mixture of a two, reminding you of your bond with them so you will give them the attention that they crave. Cats have sensitive hearing and can easily detect small sounds that simply pass us by. Cats use head-butting to mark objects, other cats, and humans with a familiar scent, most frequently rubbing with their chin, forehead, and cheeks. Even though a cat is most surely head butting you, the correct term used by animal behaviorists is head bunting. Why Do Cats Spray? A cat will smoosh their face against yours (or whatever else they’re bunting). It is behaviour that is done by both cats who are domesticated and those in the wild. These little messages in pheromones can be read by other cats. It might seem a bit strange that they’re expressing affection for a favourite chair. They will bunt your head, your face, your leg, and just about anything else they can reach. When the act is between two cats, the way they spread their scent can tell you about their standing. In this case, they use head bunting to spread the scent. If your cat is head bunting excessively, you may want to try and discourage the behaviour. Cats can also see certain wavelengths of light that we can’t, including ultraviolet light. A good tactic for getting your cat to stop excessively head bunting is just to distract them. However, there are some common situations that cats head bunt in where we have a vague understanding of their message. There are several symptoms and signs to watch for, that will give you a clue as to whether it’s just a behavior that is typical for your cat, or whether it’s something you need to investigate further.. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Emma is a freelance writer, specializing in writing about pets, outdoor pursuits, and the environment. ... Because cats groom themselves on a regular basis, another way to tell if your pet is suddenly losing an excessive … After all, it is a mark of affection. angryelf (author) from Tennessee on April 29, 2014: Thank you everyone! Cats often meow to initiate play, petting, or to get you to talk to them. It could be the result of According to Dr. Herron, this behavior is something that domestic cats share with their wild counterparts. If your cat is doing it to get your attention and won’t take I’m busy for an answer, you might need to resort to distraction. For some animals though, it can become excessive! Head pressing can be a sign of a serious illness, including: Many cats that are seen head pressing also present other symptoms like: Don’t confuse head pressing with head butting. In other situations, this can mean something else. Veterinarians may also prescribe the addition of certain fatty acids or other nutritional supplements if dry skin is to blame for your cat’s incessant scratching and licking. However, there are many reasons why your cat might be scratching. Their peripheral vision extends to 200 degrees, compared to our 180-degree vision. If we had the dexterity of most cats, we'd be scratching just as much. They might interpret this as you reacting badly to trying to bond. What You Need to Know! Cats use all of these glands to emit pheromones on things. Head-butting, also called “bunting,” takes place between cats who know each other well. This can lead to excessive head bunting as a cat uses is to get whatever they want. So, when they’re staring at the wall, your cat may have spotted something that you simply can’t see! This could ruin the bond that you have with your pet. “Pain is a rather substantial sign of cat cancer,” says Dr. Zaidel. But cat’s brains are simply wired up differently than ours. →, Why Do Cats Spray? A cat can sometimes begin to communicate an awful lot through head bunting. If you live in a household with cats and dogs, you might have caught your pet head bunting the other pet. Others can be taken care of by swiping their tail in a specific way. The head butting (also known as “bunting”) behaviour can also be taken as a sign of love. Putting cats that are scratching or chewing on a 6-week exclusion diet is a good way to find out whether food allergies are the problem. If your cat won't stop scratching, the first thing we might think of is a skin problem. In any case, cat head bunting is a fairly universal cat behaviour. This will prod them to remember there are things they can be doing without having you around at all times. When a cat keeps scratching their … Your cat may headbutt your face, chest, or leg, typically whichever body part is within their reach. When it comes to food, we know some people are passionate beyond belief, so it would only…, 1. They may learn that the way to get the attention that they want is to head bunt. You shouldn’t try to eliminate the behaviour entirely. Training your cat not to head bunt can be done like any other training. If in doubt, it’s always best to seek the advice of your vet. In fact,…, Maybe you’re looking at a litter of newly-born kittens and planning to bring one home to your family. When she’s not writing, Emma can be found taking her dogs for walks in the rolling fields around their home…and usually, at least some of the cats come along, too! Sometimes the source of a cat's excessive licking is inside his head -- specifically, in his golf ball-sized brain. It is usually a mutual behavior: that is, the two cats will gently touch the crowns of their heads or their cheeks together in order to express affection. Cats of all ages also can develop an overactive thyroid or kidney disease, both of which can result in excessive vocalizations. When you return and lean over to give your cat a little pat, she’s all up in your grill, purring and … Even though cat headbutting is a natural behavior in cats, most cat owners have a hard time distinguishing between cat headbutting and cat head pressing. You shouldn’t punish your cat for getting up to this. They’ve simply seen or heard something that we can’t hear. It can be hard to interpret just what your cat is trying to tell you with this head bunting. As well as their own four rescue dogs, she also fosters dogs for re-homing, providing them with love and training while searching for their forever homes. If a cat is doing it excessively, it may be trying to get attention rather than to just show affection. General pain or discomfort. Use these techniques to release the stress and see what works best for your cat. You may have to try several diets before you find one that works. Since they do it quite often and sometimes irrelevant of their surroundings, researchers have a pretty good idea about why. They may learn that the way to get the attention that they want is to head bunt. If your cat’s ears are pricked toward the wall and they appear to be fiercely concentrating, they may be listening to something that you can’t hear, such as the sound of a family member’s car arriving home. While it is fine for cats to do it sometimes, doing this too much can be a problem. Will my cat's fur grow back? Cats will often head bunt their owners. However, there are some steps you can take to communicate to your cat that you’re a bit busy for getting that kind of attention right now. Excited Cats is reader-supported. Head bunting is a perfectly natural behaviour that should be interpreted as a compliment. One such behavior is staring at the wall. They also do it to members of their pride as a way to mark each other as family and show affection. Reinforcing them for good behaviour when they stop when told, and ignoring them for unwanted behaviour. The exact definition of what they’re trying to say with a head bunt varies. Or, something is going on in that feline brain that is giving them pause for thought. As a cat owner, we’re sure you know this already! Occasionally, staring at the wall can be a sign of a more serious medical condition. Almost the opposite of head bunting is head pressing. When your cat touches her nose to your face or head-butts you, she is showing her affection and bonding with … Keep in mind that it is important to distinguish between headbutting from head pressing, however. This can sometimes turn into a blep, which we all know as that cute face that cats make when they forget to put their tongue back in their mouth. However, as with any behavior, when it becomes excessive it signals a problem. Sometimes this can feel a bit spooky, and you might be wondering if your cat can see something that you can’t. Mishi Pets is reader-supported. Rubbing up against people, other cats and objects is a way of scent marking their environment. This behaviour means much the same thing as when directed at people. Is she sticking her butt in the air and meowing loudly? Depending on the object of the cat's communication, they may be claiming ownership or indicating pleasure. The information found on Excited Cats should not be viewed as veterinary advice. In addition to the wobbles, another common symptom of cerebellar hypoplasia is temporary head tremors, or the uncontrollable shaking of a cat’s head (like a bobble-head doll). In cat colonies, bunting is not driven by dominance. However, for many things, the easiest way to spread these scents is to use all of the glands that they have on their face and head in general. After a while, they usually give themselves a little shake and go about their day as normal. While most cat furniture is going to be marked just from play, some things that are higher up might require a cat head bunt to mark it. For example, compulsive licking at the tail head may indicate a flea infestation, while cats with pollen or food allergies may lick their backs, abdomens or other areas of the body. Try to have a toy to hand to remind them there are other things to do. Cat head bunting is a weird behaviour, but one that you should take as a compliment! Your vet will likely want to carry out extensive tests before diagnosing this condition, and most cats can lead perfectly normal lives with a few minor adjustments to their home environment. “The head butting is actually something that we call bunting.” “Cats do this to deposit facial pheromones on people or objects in their environment,” explains Dr. Herron. Cats have scent glands located in their cheeks, forehead, chin, and the base of their tail. If your cat does begin to do it too much, then there are ways to addresses this. Bilo came in today from the hallway with his butt and back of his legs all wet. If you notice your cat pressing their forehead firmly against the wall and not moving away, seek veterinary advice immediately. It is different than head butting, a perfectly normal behavior where a cat rubs or bumps its head against a human or inanimate object as a sign of affection. If your cat’s behaviour becomes a problem, this may be something you have to address. A cat might even head bunt against furniture or other inanimate things in your home. Cats can see far better than we can. Cats have glands all over their body that produce pheromones. They will more often use their urine to mark their scent. Everything You Need to Know! Cat’s eyes have more rods too, which are the cells responsible for helping us see in low-light conditions. Can Adult Cats Eat Kitten Food? It doesn’t matter to them if you understand it or not. Excessive grooming, especially the base of the tail. Shed cycles vary with each cat, and your pet's cycles may or may not match up with the seasons. However, as long as the head bunting is an occasional occurrence rather than an annoyance this behaviour should be encouraged rather than scolded. Despite what some people think, cats don’t like being alone a lot. Give them a brief fuss for a head rub to return the affection. Learn more. Cat Activities | How to Keep Your Indoor Cat Healthy, Cat IQ vs Dog IQ: Are Cats Smarter Than Dogs, Mishi Pets is reader-supported. When a cat suddenly stops grooming itself, it can be a sign of stress, but it can also indicate a painful problem such as arthritis. Are You Depriving Your Dog or Cat of Holistic Care? On the other hand, a cat that incessantly grooms one spot of its body may also have a skin condition. This can lead to excessive head bunting as a cat uses is to get whatever they want. Overgrooming behavior in cats can be caused by stress and anxiety. Occasionally, however, staring at the wall can be a sign of something more serious. Quite a few of these glands are located around the face.

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