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You are here: Home / Cat Behaviour / Bunting – the Purrfect Compliment

Bunting – the Purrfect Compliment

Updated 4 October 2020 By Pawesome Cats 6 Comments

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Does your cat like to jump up on your lap and head-butt you?  Often accompanied by loud purring, this act of rubbing or nudging their face against your cheek or chin is referred to as ‘bunting’ and is your cat’s way of communicating with you and showing affection.

Cat bunting human

Cats communicate in a number of ways – by talking to you (vocalisation), via body language and by scent. Scent communication includes urine marking but also includes the more common behaviours of bunting and rubbing. Cats carry scent glands in a number of places including on the sides of their faces, the pads of their paws and their tails. So, when your cat rubs against your face and gives you a gentle head-butt or rubs himself against your legs while you’re in the kitchen preparing a meal, he is leaving his scent mark with you.

Scent marking and rubbing is a means of establishing territory and proclaiming ownership but it is also how cats bond. When your cat is rubbing against you he is being sociable, friendly and affectionate.

Cats don’t just engage in bunting with their humans, they will also head-butt and rub against other cats in the household who they are familiar and friendly with. This is referred to as ‘allorubbing’ and is a part of social communication in multiple cat households.  Sharing scents in this way ensures that all cats and humans have the same scent, and communicates a sense of belonging to the same family.

Black and white cats head butting

Bunting is also a means of asking for attention. If your cat head-butts you and then tucks his head down or turns to the side he is probably asking for some special attention – for example, to be petted or scratched behind the ears or on top of the head.

Cats that bunt their owners are displaying their unconditional love, affection and trust. Even if this does come with a mouthful of cat hair, enjoy this special moment between you and your cat – it’s the next best thing to a warm hug and a kiss on the cheek.

Does your cat head-butt?  Share your stories below…

Images: Alexis Fam Photography / Paddy and Dushi via Flickr

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Filed Under: Cat Behaviour

Comments

  1. lorraine williamson says

    7 February 2014 at 1:04 am

    Frankie is a 3 a.m. bunter and wakes me up for a head rub and then he goes back to sleep if its not a kid school day

    Reply
  2. meowmeowmans says

    28 January 2014 at 12:33 pm

    All three of our kitties are bunters, and it always makes us happy. 🙂

    Reply
  3. rmudge says

    27 January 2014 at 7:02 pm

    My kitties love to rub up against me. I guess I feel kind of special that they want to claim me as their very own human. 🙂

    Reply
  4. The Island Cats says

    27 January 2014 at 11:35 am

    I’m a bunter! I bunt everything and everyone – Wally

    Reply
  5. Cody-Cat Chat (@CatChatCaren) says

    27 January 2014 at 9:16 am

    Cody LOVES “bunting” and LOVES to hold my hand with his paw while we watch TV 🙂

    Reply
    • Lisa Bell says

      27 January 2014 at 10:56 pm

      awwww, that’s so sweet.

      Reply

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