7 signs your cat loves you (and how to show it back)

Cats get a bad rap for being ‘aloof’. But anyone who’s ever had a cat sit exactly on their laptop mid-email knows they just have their own way of showing love. If dogs are rom-coms, cats are slow-burn indie films: subtle, layered, occasionally confusing - not to mention all that brooding eye contact.

Here are some of the ways your cat says I love you (and some top tips on how to say it back).

If your cat stares into your soul and slowly blinks, congratulations, that’s the feline version of a kiss. This tiny, deliberate gesture is their way of saying, “I trust you and I feel safe around you.” Unlike dogs, who might enthusiastically jump (and slobber) on you, cats keep their affection subtle, but no less meaningful. That slow blink is basically a silent way to say, “you are my person, and I approve of your existence.”

Love them back: Try slow-blinking back - you’ll be saying ‘I love you’ in cat. You might feel ridiculous, but your cat will feel all the love.

Whether it’s a toy mouse, a sock or something formerly alive, your cat’s bringing you presents because they think you’re part of the family (all together now: awwwww). This gesture might seem a little shocking at first, but it’s actually one of the highest compliments a cat can give. They’re demonstrating that you’re part of their inner circle - the circle that gets exclusive access to their ‘hunting’ or ‘collecting’ skills. Dead mouse or not, it shows they see you as one of them, which is basically feline love at its peak.

Love them back: React with gratitude and praise the effort by offering them a treat (Nibbles, anyone?). Same love, fewer mouse corpses.

When your cat settles onto you like a furry, purring paperweight, that’s the sign of true love. They’re choosing you as their safe spot 🥹. Cats don’t just curl up anywhere, after all, they pick their humans exceptionally carefully. You might be warm, soft or slightly inconvenient, but to them, you’re perfect. This moment is their way of turning you into a cosy, living throne for their ultimate relaxation.

Love them back: Don’t move. Ever. Just accept your fate as human furniture and enjoy the snuggles forevermore.

A tail held high and gently curved at the tip? That’s cat body language for “hey, bestie!”. It’s like a little flag waving in slow motion, signalling happiness and confidence. Cats don’t just hold their tails up randomly, it’s a deliberate, visual I like you they only reserve for trusted companions. 

Love them back: Respond with a calm voice and gentle pets (bonus points if you talk back in the silly voice they pretend to hate).

That 3AM nose boop? Not malice, just love mixed with terrible timing. That tiny poke is their way of saying, “you are mine and I require attention, companionship or perhaps just your face in my general vicinity.” It’s inconvenient for humans, yes, but it’s also a direct, unfiltered expression of trust and attachment.

Love them back: Keep playtime and feeding on a regular schedule so they don’t have to profess their affection in the middle of the night.

If your cat licks your hair, face or hand, they’re treating you like one of their own. It’s weirdly sweet... and slightly exfoliating. Grooming is intimate in the cat world, it’s reserved for those they truly trust. When they include you in their grooming rituals, they’re signalling you’re family, part of their tribe and worthy of affection.

Love them back: Return the affection (minus the tongue). Regular brushing sessions mimic grooming and strengthen your bond.

If your cat talks to you around mealtimes, that’s not always just hunger, it’s communication, too. Mealtime meows are often punctuated with eye contact, little chirps and insistent ‘reminders’ that it’s their feeding time. Your cat’s saying, “I rely on you, I count on you and I’m letting you know you’re important to me.” It’s one of the most consistent ways they demonstrate love: through trust, reliance and kitty communication.

Love them back: Serve up fresh, high-protein meals that show you care, like KatKin. Because nothing says I love you like food that helps makes them happier AND healthier.

For cats, love isn’t about wagging tails or sloppy kisses, it’s about trust, comfort and choosing to curl up beside you when they could be anywhere else. So if your cat blinks at you, brings you ‘gifts’ or naps on your chest, they’re saying it loud and clear: I love you.

And the best way to show that love back is by nourishing them with fresh food that puts their health and happiness first. Just like us, cats thrive on real ingredients: meals rich in quality protein, moisture and nutrients that support their energy, coat and wellbeing. Feeding them fresh food isn’t just about mealtime, it’s a daily act of care that says, I want you to feel your best, every single day.