Head pressing is when a cat pushes their head against a wall or other hard surface over and over for no apparent reason. This is different than head butting, where your cat bumps or rubs their head against you as a sign of affection. Head pressing is a compulsive behavior, meaning the cat can't help but do it.
The act of head pressing is just one sign of prosencephalon disease, in which the forebrain and thalamus parts of the brain are affected. Other symptoms that may accompany this include compulsive pacing and circling, changes in learned (trained) behavior, seizures, damaged reflexes, and visual problems.
Head pressing in cats manifests itself as a behavior in which that cat pressed their head against an inanimate object relentlessly. If pressing into a wall, they may slide their head against the wall until they reach a corner where they become stuck.
The treatment of head pressing in cats depends on the condition causing it. Serious issues such as brain tumors, liver shunts or encephalitis may require surgery and hospitalization. If your doctor finds your cat has a metabolic disorder he may treat him with medications on an outpatient basis.
Just like a human, when a cat is in her early stages of labor, she will have contractions that are supposed to push the babies down through the birth canal so she can deliver. You can usually see or feel these contractions by watching her abdomen closely or by gently placing your hand on her belly.
Your cat puts her paws on you to transfer scent
Depositing scent on an object or person is not really about marking territory, claiming possession, or dominating, as some people think. To the cat, it's about making his world smell like him – a smell that is familiar, comforting, and safe.
Cats paw at us out of instinct, by accident, to give or get affection, and to get our attention. Most times, when cats paw at us, it means nothing serious. Sometimes, however, they are getting our attention to tell us that they are sick or in pain.
Some cats will perform a head pressing behavior as they curl up to go to sleep to mark their territory. Cats have scent glands on their cheeks and this head rubbing behavior allows them to mark their territory and take ownership.
Cats have many scent glands on their head, especially in the nose, mouth and chin area; with each rub against you, these glands leave behind a "mark." Rubbing their head all over you is their way of saying, "I love you." In exchange for nuzzling, your cat probably gets a lot of cuddles from you, which is a strong ...
Cats have scent glands under their chin that produce pheromones used to mark the animal's territory. Your kitty will slather you and family members, along with objects, to be able to identify them later on.
According to the PetMD website, head pressing is defined as “the compulsive act of pressing the head against a wall or other object for no apparent reason.” This can occur in dogs and cats of any breed or age, and can be a sign of damage to the nervous system, specifically the forebrain and thalamus (called ...
When a cat shows you their belly, the cat is relaxed, comfortable, and doesn't feel threatened. They feel safe enough to expose their vulnerable areas without worrying about being attacked. They are pretty much telling you, “I trust you with my life.” It's a great honour!
Cats are territorial creatures, and one of the ways they safeguard their turf is to scent-mark their belongings. By kneading their paws on the surface of something (yes, including you), they're activating the scent glands in their soft paw pads, thereby marking that item as theirs.
It's classic play behavior. Your cat is bored and decided to practice hunting - with you as the prey. If there was a second cat, it would use that as the prey. Unless the cat uses it's claws, it's all in good fun and you can probably make it stop by playing more with it or getting a second cat.
The Nose Poke
Cats nose poke (gently touch their nose to the other's nose) only trusted friends, be they feline, human, canine, or equine.
No, your cat doesn't actually think you're the mama cat that birthed it. But cats show us a level of affection and respect that is very similar to the way they treat their mama cat. And this sweet fact flies in the face of anyone who thinks cats' “aloof” personality means they don't care about us.
Sleeping with you provides them with security and an extra defense if a predator should launch a nighttime attack. They sleep with you because they trust you, they know you're not a danger and you can also provide an extra layer of defense if needed.
Cats carry bacteria in their mouths, which can lead to local or systemic infection if a cat licks an open wound. Immunocompromised people are most at risk. Acquiring a disease from your cat is very rare, but to be safe, don't let your cat lick your face or any cuts on your skin.
Kneading to convey comfort — Happy cats appear to knead to show pleasure. Cats often knead while being petted, or when snuggling into a napping spot. Your cat may also knead on your lap to show her love and contentment, and then settle in for a pat or nap. A stressed cat may knead to create a soothing, calm mood.
Head, Shoulders, Cheeks and Nose
So, in which places do cats like to be petted? The head, chin and neck are often their favorites. While some cats enjoy having their tails touched, others will recoil and even experience pain from a tail stroke.
Cats can vary significantly in their comfort level at being carried. Some cats won't let you hold them at all, others might allow it but glare at you with quiet scorn, while still others might absolutely love it, even seeking out a person's arms or shoulders as their preferred perch.
In general, a cat engaging in long gazes at the wall is nothing to worry about. However, occasionally, it can indicate a medical condition that requires attention. Staring at the wall can be a symptom of three concerns: Feline cognitive dysfunction, feline hyperesthesia syndrome, and head pressing.