CattyCorner: Feel Honored When Your Cat Sticks Their Butt In Your Face

Written by: Kelli Brinegar
For more than five years, Kelli Brinegar has been using her ability to write and her passion for research to tell the tale of what cats are thinking and why. She has provided care to more than 30 cats in her lifetime.Read more
| Published on July 8, 2022

Greetings, my pawsome human minions.

Forrest the cat here, and as always, I’ve got the info you need to decipher the mystery that is your feline. And today’s topic is one most humans struggle to understand as your attitudes toward the butt far differ from those of the feline. You’re intrigued, aren’t you?

Then let me ask you this question… Does your cat have a habit of putting their butt in your face? If so, don’t be insulted. Instead, you should feel privileged as your cat has lavished an honor upon you.

I try to tell my parents this when I offer them a glimpse of my kitty stink eye, but they insist on shoving my rump out of their view anyway. Don’t get me wrong, they aren’t rude about my offering, always saying thanks for the thought, but they’re missing out on so much information because they don’t speak scent. Oh well, their loss!

RELATED: 9 Signs Your Cat Actually Loves You

While you may not want the downtown view either, it’s still important you know why cats do it! You’ll never take your cat’s rear for granted again once you learn the reasons behind the flash…

3 Reasons Cats Put Their Butt In Your Face

If You’ve Got Trust, Flash Your Butt

First and foremost, your cat bestows you a view of their butt because they trust you. I mean, come on, nobody is going to flash their rear at someone if they don’t have trust. Seriously, no matter the species, everyone wants to protect their bum! So, next time your cat turns around and lifts that tail for a close-up view, just know your kitty is telling you how deep your bond truly runs.

cat butt in your face

Proper Greetings Run Top to Bottom

Have you ever noticed how cats greet each other? We approach each other with raised tails, meeting up to rub our bodies together and have a good sniff. And the most proper greetings include a robust inhalation of the butt. I know you find this odd, but as creatures who speak in scents, anal aromas offer full introductions. And for cats who live together, butt sniffing is our version of a quick chat to update each other on what we’ve been up to.

How does this impact you, oh human of the weak scent abilities? Well, your cat knows your sniffer is subpar, but felines still feel it’s important to offer their human a chance at catching a whiff. Plus, the body-drag greeting that leads to a flash allows your cat to cover you in their scent, so there’s no mistaking whose minion you are.

RELATED: Mr. Wisewhiskers’ Guide to Etiquette Among Cats

Butt We Love You

While many think cats are aloof creatures with no feelings, we’re genuinely complex beings with emotional hearts. When cats connect with humans, the bond runs deep. To show you just how deep our love goes, we often show affection by bumping your head and rubbing your face with our body. This kills two birds with one paw swipe by laying claim to you with our scent while giving you our equivalent of a hug. And keep in mind, while your cat is doing this rub of love dance, kitty dear is usually so happy and purry that it can’t be helped if a butt gets stuck in your face.

cat butt in your face

So bottom line, cats are happy to show their family their posteriors, whereas their people often get themselves in a tizzy over it! But, I’m here to say, cat to person, don’t get worked up. Instead, just smile and know such behavior means your cat loves you, trusts you, and wants to cover you in their scent.

Because your feline cares so much, show that love in return, and don’t forget to feed the cat.

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