Why do cats bump each others heads?
@beautyqueen26 (16030)
United States
May 20, 2008 10:40pm CST
Once I heard that cats have glands in their face. The glands at the side of the cat face produces a "friendly" hormone that makes cats get along. They rub cheeks and it's released. That's the theory anyway. Maybe it helps cats bond. Could explain how such fiercely jealous creatures as cats can coexist with each other under the same roof.
And, supposedly, the head bumping also releases hormones from a gland on the forehead. Not sure if that's true. Maybe they're just shaking hands. What do you think? Got any idea why cats bump heads? My cat gets up on the chair behind me and tries to bump my head.
If you really want to make good friends with your cat (and he's not a biter) then bump his forehead with yours. I did that once and ever since then, my big cat has stuck to me like glue. He thinks I'm his soul mate. How cute is that?
1 person likes this
5 responses
@heidibur (310)
• United States
21 May 08
My cat did that for all of her 20 yrs. We called it giving hugs, and you could look at her and tell her to give you a hug and she would bump your head.
I have worked with animals for the last 8 yrs. and the one thing that I know is that when they bump heads it is a sign of affection, and when they rub faces & cheeks its passing sent from one to the other.
I had never heard of the gland thing, I will have to check that out. I worked with cats for yrs. mainly feral cats.
@beautyqueen26 (16030)
• United States
14 Jun 08
I believe that is right! It does seem to make them very happy.
@williamjisir (22819)
• China
14 Jun 08
Hello dear beauty queen. It is interesting for me to know something about cats' bumping each other on the heads. I also see this happen when two cats are playing with each other. I think that they are friendly to each other and they show their affection to each other this way. Thank you very much for your information and careful observation about this respect of cats. Take care.
@blackbriar (9075)
• United States
21 May 08
Tigger, who is my avatar, is a feral cat that I tamed when he was about 5mo. old. He always likes to rub his cheek against mine while purring up a storm. It's something he's done since he let me touch him. Now, whenever I'm really stroking him and giving him his daily massage, he will do that constantly, sometimes while drooling a lil. It's just his way of saying he really loves me by putting his scent on me thru the glands right under his jaw up near his chin. He's the only cat I've ever had the pleasure of sharing my life with who does this.
@bagumbayan (2705)
• Philippines
21 May 08
I came to know that only now. Ill try bumping the head of the cats here and see if we will be friends. But I dont have a cat at home, but there are lots of cats in the streets.
@gemini_rose (16264)
•
21 May 08
I always wondered why a cat did that, mine used to do it to me, and I could never understand why they did it. I thought that they just wanted to be fussed. I cannot do it with them now as I no longer have any cats, but it is certainly worth remembering for the future if I ever get another cat that is.
