Sniffing your face allows your cat to familiarize themselves with your scent so that they can recognize it, and you, in the future. Once they commit your scent to memory, they are better able to identify you going forward. Think of your cat sniffing your face as a way of saying hello.
“That's what's called the Flehmen response,” says Tamburo. “Lots of animals do it, but in cats it sort of looks like a grimace. It's a way for them to gather more information about something by combining both taste and smell.”
“If they want to interact they will most likely approach you and engage in social behavior after sniffing you, such as rubbing on you or trying to sit with you.” She adds that if they don't want to interact, they'll usually walk away or ignore you, in which case it's best to let them have their space.
Although it may appear that your cat is staring in open-mouthed disbelief, there's actually a reason he pulls this funny face: Your cat is analyzing a new or strange smell—but instead of doing so through the nostrils, he is “scent-sucking” through the roof of his mouth. This is called the flehmen response.
A cat smells your leg because it's the easiest part of you to reach, though they'll also smell your hands or shirt or face if they get the chance. It tells them where you've been, what you came into contact with, especially if it's food or another cat or anything else that has a scent.
Like dogs, cats also have an uncanny ability to detect ailments and diseases as well. Cats also have an acute sense of smell and have the ability to sniff out a chemical change in the body caused by a disease. And both dogs and cats can also sense the change in mood, behavior and pattern that affect a daily routine.
Sharing scent
This helps them tell, with a simple sniff, that the other cat is part of their social group and can therefore be trusted. By licking you, your cat could simply be marking you as safe and letting you know you're part of the family.
This is called a “Flehmen response,” sometimes shortened to “flehming.” The term comes from a German word referring to curling of the lips. The cat opens their mouth to allow scent to reach the vomeronasal organ (called the Jacobsen Organ) in the roof of their mouth.
Cats cannot distinguish their owners by staring at them because their faces appear identical when they are at rest. Instead, cats distinguish between humans using sound and smell. Cats learn to identify their owner's voice, and regardless of whether they're wearing cologne, their skin emits a distinct aroma.
If your cat sleeps on your bed, he may choose a position that lets him see out your bedroom door more easily. If he's curled up in a ball under your bed or in a quiet corner, then he may be hiding. Cats who sleep under the covers might love being close to you, or they might be hiding to feel safer.
Cats tend to use pawing as a form of communication. 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.
Cats can detect a change in hormones in your body through their sense of smell — which is infinitely superior to that of humans. When a woman is pregnant, the body produces higher levels of estrogen, progesterone, and hCG. These changes have an effect on your natural scent.
Cats release friendly pheromones from glands in their cheeks and chin, so when your favorite feline is rubbing its face on you, it usually means they are marking you as a friend. “It's an affectionate gesture that can also be used as a form of greeting,” Dr. Jill E.
It's Healthier than Downing a Bag of Chips
Cat huffing beats that by a long shot. Spending time with your pets helps you deal with stress and may even reduce risk factors related to cardiac disease. Add that to the super-soothing scent of kitty fur and cat huffing will put you in stress-free nirvana.
Think food puzzles to engage minds and bodies, vertical space for climbing and surveying their domain, scratching posts, safe outdoor access (like a catio), window perches and interactive play. “Play is an important part of relieving stress,” Delgado says. “It helps cats release those feel-good hormones.”
Rubbing: Affectionate Ownership
Ah, the joy of being rubbed by a cat! When your furry companion rubs up against you, it's a display of pure feline affection. It's their way of saying, "Hey, I claim you as mine!" They transfer their scent onto you, almost like marking you as their own.
Communication with your cat is key
That communication style may not include physical touch—being a cat's favorite person doesn't necessarily mean they want you to pet. A cat's favorite person may be the one who makes them feel comfortable and safe just by being in the same room with them.
Conclusion. Most cats don't understand that kisses from humans are a sign of affection. A cat will surely let you know if they enjoy being kissed or not. The best ways to show your cat that you love them are to give them toys, treats, and plenty of one-on-one time.
Why does my cat bite me and lick me? If your cat licks you then bites you, or bites you then licks you, this is likely a sign that they are overstimulated. Licking humans or other cats is usually a bonding exercise for cats that helps them share their scent and feel good.
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!
*Discourage your pet from licking your face.
Pets can harbor many bacterial organisms in their mouth that may NOT be problematic to them but can be to elderly or immunocompromised people.
Although a cat may not care (as that word is generally used) about human morals, cats can and do distinguish between good and bad people, and are excellent judges of human character and emotion.