Do Cats Like Kisses – What You Should Know!

As a cat owner, you probably want to bestow love and affection on your feline friend. Kisses and cuddles are common ways that humans demonstrate affection towards loved ones, so it is natural to want to do that with your cat. But, in doing so, you have probably wondered; do cats like kisses? 

Generally, cats do like kisses. However, some cats do not enjoy kisses and see it as an invasion of their personal space. Cats do not understand kisses, however, they do recognize the gesture as affectionate and loving.

In this article, we will explain whether cats understand and recognize what a kiss is, whether you should be kissing your cat and where if you do, before describing some other ways that you can show your cat affection if you don’t want to or cannot kiss your cat.  

Do Cats Understand When You Kiss Them

While cats do not understand the full emotional significance of a kiss, they recognize the gesture as affectionate and loving. 

Each cat has a different personality, with preferences and likes varying from one to another. Even cats born and raised together can exhibit different behaviors.

For example, while one cat may love and crave affection, reveling in the attention, another may be indifferent or standoffish, recoiling away in horror as you loom in for a smooch.

It would help if you never forced yourself onto a cat. Instead, allow them to approach you and respect their space. If a cat has an adverse reaction to your kiss, such as hissing, putting their ears back, or pulling away from you, back off and leave them be.

If you do not, they may well scratch or bite you. This is excellent advice to give children who can be rough when they handle a cat. Always remind children that they should be gentle with cats to avoid being hurt.

If you consistently force yourself upon your cat and try to force them to accept your kisses, there is a good chance you will damage your relationship with your cat. Any bond you have already made will be lost, and your cat could become distrustful of you. 

So, for those cats accepting of kisses, while they do not understand the significance of a kiss like humans do, they comprehend that the gesture is meant to be affectionate. 

Do Cats Like When You Kiss Their Heads

Yes, cats like when you kiss their heads. For cats that do enjoy receiving a kiss, a peck on the head will be liked. They see it as a head bump, which is a greeting and form of affection to cats. 

Cats use body language to express themselves. In the cat world, cats, including big cats like lions, will bump heads and rub the sides of their face alongside one another’s faces. This action of face rubbing is known as ‘bunting’ and is a gesture of affection. You could see it as the cat equivalent to a kiss. Cats also bunt with humans and other animals that they perceive to be in their family or pride. 

Cats have sweat glands in their cheeks and lips, which produce pheromones. The bunting action leaves a scent behind. If a cat has been rubbing their face alongside you, they have effectively marked you as their territory, as well as given you some love. 

It is also thought that when cats bunt against one another, they are creating a family or communal scent, which helps them to identify one another.  

By giving your cat a peck on the head, they will probably see it as a head bump and might lean in for some more affection if they are in that type of mood. Remember, cats can be fickle creatures, so what is good for them one day might not be the next. Do not take this to heart; it is just their nature.

Do Cats Feel Love When You Kiss Them

Cats do feel love when you kiss them (if your cat is receptive to those kisses, that is). So when you express your love for your cat through a kiss, they feel the emotion you want to convey and will hopefully reciprocate.

Recent research by teams at the Claremont Graduate University in California suggests that cats release the ‘love hormone Oxytocin. Oxytocin is said to enhance trust, bonding, and empathy, amongst other things.

The research conducted by Professor Paul Zak and his team found that when interacting with their family, whether human or other cats, cats release the oxytocin peptide. Oxytocin is colloquially named the ‘love hormone,’ and Professor Zak believes that its presence in cats indicates that they feel the love emotion.  

Cats are very expressive animals and do pick up on vibes in the household. For example, you may have noticed your cat becomes anxious if there is tension at home. Or your cat may come and keep you company if you are sad. If this is the case, your cat is picking up on your emotions too. 

So, when you kiss your cat, they most certainly will feel the love you are expressing. Hopefully, they will reciprocate that. 

Do Cats Recognize Kisses

Cat recognize that kisses are a form of affection but do not recognize them for their full emotional significance. This is because cats don’t have a ‘kiss’ in their non-verbal communication repertoire. 

If you frequently kiss your cat, they will already be familiar with the action and will recognize that you are expressing your love for them. If you have a new cat, it may be taken aback at the gesture but will get used to it in time. Remember not to force yourself on kitty. Leaning in for a kiss is an invasion of personal space, and some cats may never accept that.

Should You Kiss Your Cat

If you are comfortable doing so, there is no problem with kissing your cat. However, you should ensure that you are both healthy and will not be at risk in doing so.

If you want to kiss your cat, do not kiss them on the lips. Although the bacteria in a cats’ mouth is similar to that found in a human mouth, harmful bacteria and parasites can be exchanged. 

Cat Scratch Fever (also known as Cat Scratch Disease) is a bacterial infection caught from cats with Bartonella henselae. It can be transmitted via kissing a cat on the mouth, as well as bites or scratches.

Ringworm (also known as tinea) is a contagious fungal infection that afflicts cats and humans. If your cat has picked it up, it can be transmitted to you easily, especially if you kiss your cat on the lips. 

Toxoplasmosis is a serious affliction that is the result of infection from the Toxoplasma Gondii parasite. If your cat has it, then there is a risk of contracting it if you kiss your cat on the lips.  

Pregnant ladies, children, people with low immune systems, and immune-compromised people are more at risk of catching an infection, so they should avoid kissing their cats on the lips.

Some cats will not like it if you kiss them on their belly. This is a vulnerable area for cats. 

If your cat exposes their stomach area to you, it shows that they feel safe and trust you. However, if you kiss your cat on the belly, your cat may not like it and could react negatively, such as pulling away, hissing, or they might even scratch you. 

Kissing your cat is not a problem, so long as you avoid kissing them on the lips. Keep all of your cat’s vaccinations up to date. 

Is It Ok To Kiss Your Cat On The Nose

In the interests of hygiene, it is probably better not to kiss your cat on the nose. A cat’s nose gets very close to a lot of things, not all of them clean or pleasant! So, it is not very hygienic to kiss a cat on the nose.

Cats use their nose as a communication tool a great deal. For example, when cats of the same household meet one another, they greet each other with a friendly little nose bump. It is a bit like checking in and saying, “Hi! How are you?”

If you approach a cat you are unfamiliar with, hunker down to its level and put your index finger out. The cat might approach and sniff your finger to get your scent. You could be rewarded with a cheek rub if the cat likes you. If they are not sure, they will just back away.

You can always be the recipient of a nose bump. So bring your head close to your cats and see if they give you a little nose nudge as a friendly greeting. But avoid kissing them there.

Other Ways To Show Your Cat Affection

There are other ways to show affection to your cat if you do not want to kiss them or don’t like to be kissed.

Slow Eye Blink 

If a cat stares into your eyes, it is a sign of trust. If your cat slowly closes their eyes and then re-opens them, it is a gesture of love.

You can return this gesture, and your cat will understand that you are telling them that you love them. Have you ever seen a cat wink? Well, they do. And if your cat gives you a wink, that is also a sign of affection.

Rub

Most people like a massage, and so do cats. Giving a cat a gentle rub across the shoulders and a tickle behind the ears is a surefire way to show affection to cats. If cats like it, they may expose their throat to you for a chin scratch. Now you know they trust you!

Grooming

Cats do not just groom to stay clean, but it is also a sign of affection when cats groom each other and you! You can return the favor and buy a grooming brush, there even some on the market which you can hold between your teeth, so it is more a more authentic grooming experience.

Vocal

If you have a vocal cat, chattering away to your cat will likely be perceived as a loving gesture by them. You can even try and mimic some of the noises your cat makes. While you won’t understand their meaning, your cat will appreciate the interaction and effort. 

Treats

You can show affection to your cat by giving them tasty and healthy treats. A little tinned tuna (not in oil) or fresh fish are popular treat choices in the author’s household. Cooked or raw chicken breast also receives a rapturous welcome.

Nap Time

Sharing a nap with your cat is a way to show them that you trust them. You are indicating to them that you trust them to protect you as you sleep.

Things To Consider 

It is always best to follow the lead of your cat when giving kisses to them. As mentioned, some cats resent the invasion of personal space that a kiss brings with it. Therefore, always take it slow and back off if your kitty is showing signs of discomfort. 

Avoid creeping up on a cat and giving them a kiss when they are in a deep sleep. You will startle them, and your affectionate gesture could be rewarded with a scratch or a growl.

Cats do love their owners and exhibit signs of distress when apart from them. If your cat runs to greet you when you return home, that is a sign that they have missed you. If the tail is erect while fluffy at the base and quivering, you know they are happy to see you.

Here are some signs that you might recognize which indicate that your cat loves and trusts you too;

• Sitting on clothes, you have just removed 
• Joining you in the bathroom 
• Sitting on your keyboard (For the author, as they try to write an article about whether cats like kisses!) 
• Cats are vulnerable when they sleep; by falling asleep next to you, they show that they trust you will look over them and protect them
• Following you as you move around your home or garden
• Kneading 
• Laying their tails over you. It is like putting an arm around someone or holding hands

Overall, it is okay to kiss your cat so long as they welcome it. However, remember to avoid kissing your cat on the mouth or nose and guided by your cat.