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How to Tell My Cat I Love Them: 7 Great Ways

Written by: Chelsea Mortensen

Last Updated on March 3, 2024 by Catster Editorial Team

woman carrying a cat

How to Tell My Cat I Love Them: 7 Great Ways

If you’ve got a kitty you adore, you’ll want to show your love in any way you can! But sometimes, our kitty’s “love language” doesn’t align with what we expect. If you are warm and loving to your cat and meet all their needs, your precious friend probably already knows how much you care. But learning a few ways that you can tell your cat “I love you” is never a bad idea. Here are several proven ways to share your love with your kitty.

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The 7 Ways to Tell Your Cat You Love Them

1. The Slow Blink

Has your cat ever caught your eye and fluttered her lashes? A long, slow kitty blink is a surefire way to say, “I love you.” Cats do the slow blink to share that they feel safe and tell you that you’re trusted. And you can do the same thing back. Just meet your cat’s eyes and blink in slow motion. Don’t hold your cat’s gaze too long, though—that can start to feel challenging.

woman kissing black cat
Image Credit by: Piqsels

2. Respond to Chatty Kitties

Your cat probably has a repertoire of meows, purrs, and trills that he uses to communicate. Many of these sounds aren’t used to communicate with other cats—they’re just for humans! With a little effort, you can learn to tell what your cat is trying to say with all the different sounds if you don’t know already. Being attentive and responsive to your cat’s needs—whether he’s asking for attention or wanting a water bowl refill—will help your cat know that you care about what they care about.


3. Just Chill Together

Sometimes, you might see your cat sit down right outside of arm’s reach and stare off into the distance. It might feel like you’re being ignored, but when cats do this, they’re actually just socializing in their own introverted way. It’s like saying, “Hey, I don’t want to cuddle right now, and I respect your space, but I like you, so I’ll come to hang out.” If your cat comes to chill, you can reach over for a short pet, but then let him enjoy your peaceful company.

senior tabby cat sitting on person
Image Credit by: Debra Anderson, Shutterstock

4. Imitate Their Communication

If your cat likes to talk, you can try to talk back to her. Cats usually meow in high-pitched tones, and talking back to them with similar pitches and intonations—or just cooing—can help your cat know that you’re talking to her. Cats are good at reading tone of voice, and imitation games can help them feel close to you. You don’t have to ”baby talk” if you don’t want to, but your cat will appreciate it if you get on her level.


5. Grooms & Massages

Most cats keep themselves pretty clean, but they still love being groomed. Giving your cat a nice, gentle brush down can help her feel loved and cared for. Petting your cat works the same way, as a kind of soft, gentle massage. Something special you can try as part of your petting time is “bunting.” Cats often greet each other by brushing together their heads. Many cats love to greet humans the same way, nuzzling the side of their head against you to show they want affection. You can mimic that feeling by making a fist and using it to gently bump or stroke the side of your cat’s forehead, right in front of the ear.

cat asking for cuddles
Image Credit by: 99mimimi, Pixabay

6. Make Playtime Social Time

Your cat probably has toys he can play with on his own, but exercise is more fun with someone else. Taking some time to play with your cat every day can help him get excess energy out and help you bond with him. Wand and fishing pole style toys are great options for teasing your cat and making the playtime fun and exciting. You can also roll small balls or toss toys for your cat to catch—just don’t expect him to bring them back!


7. Share Treats & Catnip

You can go overboard with treats, but a few here and there can be a good way to reward your cat, share affection, and generally bring a little bit of happiness to her. If your cat doesn’t go wild over a treat, try a few different options until you find something she’s really excited about. Catnip toys are another option that works well for many cats. Giving an occasional gift to your cat is a great way to share your love in a way they’ll appreciate.

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Last Thoughts

As you can see, cats like the same things that we do—spending time together, being affectionate, and communicating—but they speak a slightly different language. Learning some of your cat’s cues can help you to share your love with your kitty and see what kinds of affection they are enjoying at the moment. And sharing the love will only make your relationship richer.


Featured Image Credit: StockSnap, Pixabay

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