Get

In Your Inbox

Catster is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more.

Do Our Cats Feel Happiness? 5 Signs & Playing Tips

white British long haired cat smiling or happy

Research shows that cats have systems of emotions that trigger certain emotional and behavioral responses.1 However, the word emotion in this sense refers to something a little bit different than feelings. While cats and humans don’t experience the same range and depth of emotions, happiness is an emotion that cats feel.

Cats may not express their feelings as humans do, so it’s important to identify cues that indicate specific emotions. Learning how cats show happiness can strengthen the bond between you and your cat and make your life together even more enjoyable.

cat face divider 2

Top 5 Signs of Happiness in Cats

How happiness is expressed varies from cat to cat, and cats may also show different signs of happiness depending on the situation they are in.

1. Purring

white cat purring
Image Credit: AleksDaria, Shutterstock

A common sign of happiness and contentment is purring. Although there are some cases where cats can purr out of fear, stress, pain, or due to an injury, cats mostly purr because they feel content. So, if you see that your cat is lounging or in another relaxed position and is purring, it’s a sign that they’re feeling very happy.


2. Slow Blinking

Happy cats can also blink slowly to indicate that they feel contentment and affection toward you. If your cat is in a relaxed position, makes direct eye contact with you, and blinks slowly, take it as a compliment. Your cat feels happy and is also letting you know that they like you.


3. Conversations

Some vocal cats may also engage in “conversations” with their owners when they feel happy. If your cat is meowing and looking at you, it’s a good sign that they want to engage with you. Some cats seem to enjoy it when their owners talk back to them calmly, and they’ll meow back some responses.


4. Kneading

bengal kneading blanket
Image Credit: K Lim, Shutterstock

Another sign of happiness is when a cat starts to knead with their front paws. This behavior is often referred to as “making biscuits” because the action looks like a cat kneading dough. It’s unclear as to exactly why cats start to knead when they feel happy.

Some experts believe it’s because the action is connected to how kittens will knead on their mother’s belly, in order to stimulate the release of milk while nursing.


5. Playfulness

If your cat is feeling content and comfortable around you, they may start to engage with you more. Your cat can start approaching you and rubbing their face on you. A gentle headbutt can also indicate affection.

Just remember that your cat may start to interact with you and want to play out of boredom. So, make sure that they’re getting plenty of exercise and stimulation throughout the day. If you have these bases covered and your cat still wants to play with you, it can be because they like you and just want to spend some time with you.

cat + line divider

Observe How Your Cat Expresses Happiness

All cats are different, and some might express their happiness in different ways. Your cat might resort to playfulness when they are happy, while others might use purring more consistently. The same is true for receiving physical attention. Receiving cuddles will make some cats feel over the moon but some may not prefer getting pets.

Take a moment and look at your cat’s eyes and slowly blink at them. Occasionally, they’ll respond back with a slow blink, and it feels so rewarding.

cat playing with owner
Image Credit: Dora Zett, Shutterstock

3 cat divider

How to Promote Happiness in Cats in 4 Ways

While you can’t force cats to feel a certain way, you can do some things to help them feel relaxed and content. Besides keeping them safe and healthy, by providing regular veterinary care and check ups, balanced and nutritious diet, environmental enrichment, physical exercise and mental stimulation are some of the important ways to keep cats feeling fulfilled and content.

1. Establish a Consistent Routine

As creatures of habit, most cats thrive off routines. Knowing what to expect can help them feel safe, and many will prefer and appreciate predictability. Minimize stressors and changes in their environment, or allow your cat plenty of time to prepare for them.


2. Enrich Their Environment

Cats need a certain amount of physical activity, mental stimulation and interaction with their owners, based on their individual preferences, age and lifestyle. Enriching their environment involves ensuring the cat is able to express their natural behaviors such as scratching, stalking, playing, pouncing, climbing, jumping and much more.

Use of scratchers, interactive games and toys, puzzle feeders, cat trees, perches, allowing safe observation through windows, or setting up an outdoor secure catio, are just some of the ways that cats make the best of their day, feeling happy and content.

Cats love cozy hiding spots and climbing up to safe spaces where they can perch and observe. Many cats will enjoy having a tall cat tree they can climb.

domestic cat climbs up the cat pole
Image Credit: vershinin89, Freepik

3. Provide Fun Playtime

Different cats have their own play styles, and finding out their preferences can boost their happiness immensely. Some cats prefer playing alone and are perfectly content playing with a treat dispensing toy by themselves.

Others love playing with cat wands and will be happiest when chasing feathers attached to a string.


4. Treats

Some cats are food-motivated and can’t resist certain treats. Getting to know your cat’s favorite flavors and giving them occasional treats is a great way to boost their mood, as long as it’s paired with plenty of physical exercise, in order to avoid them gaining too much weight.

You can also add a little more happiness into a cat’s life with catnip and catnip toys. The smell of catnip can trigger the “happy” receptors in a cat’s brain. However, not all cats react to catnip. Cats that don’t react to catnip may react to silvervine instead.2

divider-catclaw1

Conclusion

Cats can express happiness in various ways. Learning about cat behavior and being observant can help you determine how your cat expresses happiness and what makes them feel happiest. It may take some time to understand how your cat shows happiness and affection. However, once you do, it’ll only strengthen your bond and increase the appreciation you have for each other.


Featured Image Credit: Sviatoslav_Shevchenko, Shutterstock

How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate (you can leave written feedback after clicking submit)

Help us improve Catster for pet parents!

Your feedback really matters.

What did you like about this post? Also how can we improve it?

Join the conversation

Leave a Reply

You’re very welcome to leave a comment or question. Please know that all comments must meet our community guidelines, and your email address will NOT be published. Let’s have a positive and constructive conversation.

Talk With A Vet Online

Peace of mind,
anywhere, anytime

Affordable vet advice

Can Cats Smile? 5 Vet-Approved Ways to Tell if Your Cat is Happy

Sometimes cats make a face that makes you wonder: is my cat actually smiling at me? It looks just like a smile: closed...

happy cat

Why Does My Cat Cross Their Front Paws? Does This Mean They Feel Relaxed?

Cats are curious creatures. Their behavior can be hard to decipher, but some actions are clearer than others. For example, if your cat...

ginger polydactyl cat hiding face with large paws

What Does It Mean When a Cat Purrs Loudly? Vet-Verified Facts & Reasons

Cats are fascinating creatures, and as cat lovers, we want to learn as much about them as possible. One of the most intriguing...

cat kneading and purring while lying on owner's lap

Has Your Cat Imprinted on You? 15 Signs to Look For

Imprinting is a term that is usually used to describe when a young animal accepts another animal, person or object as its parent...

Tabby cat smelling a young man in front of the window

More related

laughing cat

Does My Cat Have a Sense of Humor? The Surprising Vet-Approved Answer

As a cat owner, you may have often wondered whether your cat has a sense of humor. While it’s unlikely that your cat...

two cats_Thomas B., Pixabay

How Do Cats Greet Each Other? Feline Communication Explained

We know how cats typically say hello to us, but how do they greet each other? Cats say hello to each other by...

cat owner with her cat near window

How to Keep a Single Cat Happy: 10 Vet-Verified Tips for a Happy Kitty

If you only have a single feline in your home, you may wonder if your cat gets lonely or bored when you’re away...

woman-and-her-cat-near-window

Do Cats Think Humans Are Cute? Feline Thoughts Explained

Cats are absolutely adorable, and there’s even scientific proof that kittens are biologically designed to be cute and capture our attention.1 There’s no...

Keep reading

What Shots Do Kittens Need? Vet-Reviewed Schedule, Facts & FAQ

Kittens need several vaccinations to protect them from infectious diseases. All kittens are susceptible to these diseases, no matter what their breed is. Therefore, these vaccinations are highly recommended and a part of most kitten’s early vet care. Let’s look...

vet giving kitten vaccine

Aural Hematoma in Cats: Vet Reviewed Signs, Causes & Care

Your cat’s ears are fascinating parts of their body. They can give you information about how your cat is feeling, and petting, scratching, or massaging them will strengthen your bond. However, various ear problems can occur in cats, one being...

Cat with Aural Hematoma

Why Do Cats Run Away? 10 Common Reasons for This Behavior

When your cat runs away from home, it can be heartbreaking. You think you are giving your cat all they could need or want, why did they run away from you? Don’t be too alarmed, as this is not an...

cat sitting

4 Best Oral Flea Treatments for Cats in 2025 – Reviews & Top Picks

Like dogs, cats need regular flea medication to keep the pernicious little bloodsuckers off your cat’s silky fur. Fleas can transmit several dangerous pathogens to your kitty, from bacterial infections to tapeworms, as well as serious conditions, such as anemia...

young woman giving cat a tablet pill

Are Roses Toxic to Cats? Vet-Verified Facts, Risks & Safety Tips

With Valentine’s Day coming up soon, you may be worried about using rose petals or buying the romantic flower for a loved one around your cat. Luckily, roses are not toxic to cats, meaning that you should not worry about...

Catster_Are Roses Toxic to Cats

My Cat Ate a Poisoned Mouse! Crucial Vet Reviewed Next Steps

Cats are natural predators. They love to hunt toys, bugs, and small animals if they get the opportunity. Many people have cats as pets for companionship and to help protect their homes from rodents and other pests (like cockroaches). Not...

My Cat Ate a Poisoned Mouse

Can Loud Music Harm a Cat? Vet-Reviewed Info

Ears, unfortunately, don’t have the handy ability to shut. If you enjoy listening to loud music, you’re forcing your cats to endure it, too. If you share your house with a cat, you might already be aware that loud noises...

cat lying between speakers

Is Expired Cat Food Safe? Vet-Verified Info & Feeding Advice

Cat food can last a very long time, but what if it’s past its expiration date? Is it safe to feed your cat expired cat food? No, we don’t recommend you feed your cat expired cat food at all. Feeding...

Wet and dry pet food