Animals:

Headbutting as a Sign of Feline Affection

Written by Edda Bevilacqua

Headbutting, also known as “bunting,” is a sign that a cat loves its owner. Cats headbutt their owners as a way of marking their scent and claiming humans as their own. Bunting may take the form of nuzzling or skull-first headbutting. When cats do this, they tell you that you are family and are mingling their scent with yours. They also do this as a signal that they feel safe with you.

One positive reaction to this behavior is to scratch their foreheads, cheeks, chins or other favorite places. If they respond positively to these affectionate gestures, this is the type of affection they are looking for. It is important to learn what type of affection our cats want and need.