You walk through the door.
Your cat appears out of nowhere—winds around your legs, head-butts your hand, purring like a tiny engine.
Or maybe they sidle up while you’re cooking, pressing their cheek along your arm like a furry Post-it note.
It’s sweet.
It’s weirdly grounding.
And if you’ve ever wondered, “Why does my cat do this?” —you’re not alone.
Because that little rub isn’t just affection.
It’s communication. Territory. Trust. Love.
Let’s decode what your cat is really saying when they nudge, bump, or full-on body-roll against you.
“I Like You. You’re Mine.” — The Sweet Science of Cat Rubbing
When your cat rubs against you, they’re doing more than saying hello.
They’re saying:They’re saying:
“You’re safe. You belong to me. And I trust you with my scent.”
This behavior—called bunting (when they use their head) or allorubbing (when they rub bodies)—is one of the highest compliments a cat can give.
Here’s why it matters:
4 Reasons Your Cat Rubs Against You (And What Each One Means)
“Hello, I Missed You!” – The Feline Greeting
Cats don’t shake hands or hug.
Instead, they greet loved ones by rubbing.
If your cat rushes over when you come home and winds around your legs—tail high, purring—it’s their version of:
“You’re back! I’m so happy you’re here.”
Even shy cats will do this with trusted humans.
Some friendly strays even greet kind strangers this way (though always respect boundaries before petting).
Fun fact: Cats do this with each other too—it’s how they reinforce social bonds in multi-cat homes.