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Cats have their own particular ways of communicating with us. Meowing is their most common way of conveying their feelings, but they also express themselves in unique and puzzling ways sometimes. One of them could be putting their paw on your face.
Knowing what your cat intends to convey when they touch your face with their paw can be challenging. That’s because it can mean different things at different times. Perhaps they’re asking for food, to be petted, or are expressing affection.
Below, we explain eight typical reasons your cat puts their paw on your face. Read on to learn what your cat communicates and how you can tell. We also include some bonus tips on how you can stop the behavior.
The 8 Reasons Your Cat Puts Their Paw On Your Face
1. To Get Your Attention
It is easy to think of cats as independent creatures. Like dogs, felines deeply enjoy our company and quite often they crave our attention.
Your kitty can get your attention in several ways. Meowing is usually the go-to strategy. But if that fails, physical contact is always an option. Putting a paw on your face is one effective way to do it.
There are many reasons why your cat could be craving your attention. Maybe they want food, cuddling, or pets. Unfortunately, the reason is not always apparent. So, if your cat interrupts your sweet morning sleep by tapping your face with their paws, it’s up to you to figure out what they need.
2. To Mark You
Cat marking is a natural behavior that allows them to feel calm and safe in their surroundings. Cats usually scratch surfaces, spray urine, or rub against objects to deposit their scent or create visual markings to communicate with other cats. Cats may also put their paws on your face to mark you.
Felines have scent glands that secrete pheromones on their paws and other parts of the body as well, including the head, face, and tail.
3. They Want to Play
Your cat will also put their paw on your face to indicate they want to play. Remember, your feline friend is a natural predator and will require an outlet to quench their prey drive. But unlike in other instances, the gesture here is a bit different.
Instead of being soft and gentle, the cat will move the paws quicker, like they are tapping you. Additionally, they might follow it up with other gestures like trying to nibble at you or running to their favorite toy in a playful way.
Setting aside time during the day to play with your cat is imperative. PetMD recommends four 10-minute sessions a day. Also, buy toys for your cat that can distract them when you’re busy.
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4. They Are Training You
One reason why your cat engages in this behavior repeatedly is because it works. In other words, the cat has conditioned you to respond to the gesture.
Think about it. Do you always respond positively when your cat puts a paw on your face? If yes, your cat has successfully trained you to respond to their every whim.
As ironic as it sounds, the behavior is quite common. Some may find that annoying, but others may consider it adorable. Whatever side you lean on, it is up to you to decide whether to stop or reinforce it.
5. Expressing Love
Cats don’t just crave love; they can reciprocate it, too. You can see this when you observe two cats that are close to each other. Felines often express affection by grooming others or playing with their paws. These animals also express their love for humans through touch.
When showing affection, your furry friend will put their paw on your face in a soft, gentle manner, with claws conveniently sheathed. That is often accompanied by loud purring and slow blinking, especially when you are cuddling.
6. They Are Stretching
Not every paw on your face is meant to communicate anything. Sometimes the gesture is unintentional, and you don’t have to struggle to read anything into it.
For instance, the cat may have just been stretching, and your face was in the way. That may happen if the feline friend is napping or resting beside you. The advisable thing to do in this instance is to move your face out of the way if possible. You can easily get scratched if the claws are not sheathed.
7. Curiosity
It could mean something different if a new cat puts their paw on your face. Felines are curious creatures that love to explore. So, that gentle paw on your face from the furry friend you just adopted could be to test if they can trust you.
Cats with a traumatic history are most likely to exhibit this behavior. It could be a feline you adopted from a shelter or a stray you rescued.
It may take a while before you build trust with such felines. But they come around eventually, so just be patient.
8. They Need Personal Space
It is not always a positive gesture when a cat places their paw on your face. Sometimes, they could just be pushing you out of the way. Although they love affection, cats are also independent and crave personal space.
Your feline friend cannot enjoy some time alone if you constantly try to pick them up, hug, or kiss them. They can respond by extending their paws to push you away. It’s their unique way of telling you to get out of their face.
The appropriate thing to do is not to take it personally but to give them their space. Trying to force the issue might attract more than a push. It could get your face scratched. So, be patient. They will soon be crawling back to you.
Should You Let Your Cat Put Their Paw on Your Face?
It may seem harmless and even adorable when your cat puts their paw on your face. However, this gesture may have some risks involved. For one, the cat could accidentally scratch your face. Granted, your feline friend will almost always have claws sheathed when touching you with paws. Accidents happen all the time, and something might startle them enough to extend them.
It is also unhygienic when a cat touches your face with their paws. Although cats are considered very clean animals, their paws can carry certain germs. Remember, felines handle many things and visit many dirty places, including litter boxes.
Not all feline diseases can affect you. However, some are transmissible from cats to humans, known as zoonoses. While the risk is relatively low in healthy individuals, it’s worth being aware of. Potential zoonotic conditions include cat scratch disease (caused by Bartonella henselae), salmonellosis, and ringworm.
How to Stop Your Cat From Putting Their Paw on Your Face
Besides being potentially dangerous, it can be unpleasant when a cat tries to put their paw on your face at times. It can be inconvenient when you’re busy working or taking a nap.
So, how can you stop this behavior? Well, it certainly won’t be easy. While cats can be trained, changing an old habit that has entrenched its roots over a long time can be challenging. Your best bet is to anticipate what your cat needs and fulfill it before they have to resort to this attention-seeking behavior. But you have to figure out the reason behind it first.
If food is the issue, you can ensure it’s regularly available by getting an automatic feeder. If they’re craving play, ensure you set aside time during the day for that and provide toys to keep them occupied when you’re busy. Of course, this tactic may not work if your cat wants to be petted or cuddled. You can try positive reinforcement to change how your cat seeks attention here.
The next time the cat tries touching your face, resist and wait a while before attending to their needs. That will make them disassociate the gesture from getting what they want. Also, you can use treats and food to reward them when they try other forms of communication.
Conclusion
There are many reasons why a cat can put their paw on your face. We have listed the eight most typical ones above, but there could be more.
Whatever the reason, the behavior is just your furry friend’s way of communicating with you or expressing feelings. The best you can do is listen and watch.
Some people don’t mind it when their cats do this and may even adore it. If that is you, ensure you take your feline’s hygiene seriously, especially if your immune system is compromised. If you are on the other side of the fence with this, consider anticipating and fulfilling your cat’s needs beforehand. You can also try positive reinforcement to change how your feline seeks attention.
Featured Image Credit: VikaJpeg, Shutterstock
