Why do cats want their ears Rubbed?

why do cats want their ears Rubbed? One of the most endearing features of a feline is its ears. Cats’ ears are soft, adorably pointed, and can be delightfully expressive, changing position to indicate the cat’s mood.

Humans are inherently drawn to cute and small things, so if you’re constantly tempted to play with your cat’s ears, you’re definitely not alone. You might be wondering, though, do cats like having their ears rubbed? Or are they simply tolerating our strange human inclinations?

Cat rubbing: what it means

The feline behavior of “rubbing” or “rubbing” takes the scientific name, in ethology, of “rubbing”.

This specific behavior is performed both on natural objects and artificial things such as tree trunks or the legs of a table or door jambs, as well as on other individuals such as other cats or other animals or people, in particular their owner. Many pet owners wonder about their cat’s mirror scratching behavior. It’s a common but puzzling habit that can leave your mirrors covered in claw marks. Understanding the reasons behind your cat’s mirror-scratching antics can help you address this intriguing feline behavior.

Rubbing is included together with many other behaviors that help strengthen inter- and intraspecific relationships in the so-called affiliative or friendly behaviors. In addition to the gesture that can be compared to our cuddling in the arms of a relative or friend of ours, leaning our head on his abdomen, as a sign of affection and protection, the cat, at the same time rubbing, sniffing and purring, releases an odorous secretion specific species or characteristic of the species Felis silvestris catus.

This is a real odor defined as the friendship-appeasing pheromone and is produced by the submandibular, cheek, and perioral glands located on the muzzle of each cat.

DO CATS LIKE HAVING THEIR EARS RUBBED?

Most cats like having their ears rubbed. Cats like to be the center of attention and to know that they are admired. While some cats’ favorite love language is snacking, others like to be showered with physical affection, caresses, and cuddles.

Cats especially enjoy petting, rubbing, and stroking around the head and will show you their appreciation by purring when you’ve hit the mark. The main reason for this is that cats like to be rubbed where they have scent glands.

Scent glands are microscopic holes that store distinctive odors and release them when rubbed against any surface. Their function is to release pheromones that communicate information about the cat.

The scent is used to allow cats to define their territory, create familiarity, advertise their breeding status, and soothe and bond with each other. Feline tail functions are far more than mere appendages. Dive into the intricacies of how cat tails serve various purposes, from balance to emotional expression. Uncover the secrets of these versatile appendages and gain a deeper understanding of your cat’s behavior.

The pinna glands are present on the outer part of the cat’s ear and release a sweet-smelling oil that has the benefit of keeping them soft. The glands around the cat’s head and face are used to communicate bonding and familiarity.

But the kitten is not the only one to benefit from it. Scientific studies have reported that petting a cat releases oxytocin, the feel-good hormone, into our body. It is also said to lower cortisol, the stress hormone.

WHY DO CATS LIKE TO RUB THEIR EARS?

Rubbing your cat’s ears activates its Pinna gland, which results in the release of pheromones. These pheromones are designed by nature to create a feeling of attachment and familiarity. You may have observed cats rubbing their faces and heads on household objects, doors, and even people to mark them as safe.

This is called “bunting”. Petting a cat’s ears generates feelings of trust, intimacy, and affection between you and them, strengthening and fortifying the bond you share. Although cats have a reputation for being solitary and sometimes even indifferent to the presence of their humans, this is not the case.

Although their temperament generally seems self-sufficient and independent, cats still crave a sense of belonging, and they want to feel that they are loved and held in high esteem by the people around them.

A popular theory is that cats like to be petted because the touch reminds them of their mother. A cat sees you as its surrogate mother and demands your love and affection accordingly.

HOW DO CATS LIKE TO HAVE THEIR EARS RUBBED?

The first step to petting or rubbing an unfamiliar cat, in general, is to approach it cautiously or wait for it to come to you. Don’t attack the ears directly, start by gently scratching the top of his head, to show him that you are not a threat.

Watch for signs that a cat is not in the mood to be petted. These include flattened ears, dilated pupils, tail flapping, twitching, and growling. If you’re already friends with the cat in question, or when you’re sure you’ve firmly established trust with a new cat, you can go easy on the ears.

While most cats enjoy having their ears rubbed, some don’t. It’s important to respect a cat’s boundaries and pay attention to their reaction. Cats purr and relax their bodies when they feel comfort and pleasure.

A cat can also guide you in your approach, by moving its head or its body to bring the part it wants to stroke closer to your hand.

If a cat indicates that it likes being petted on the ears, start with gentle twists and rubs. Ear-oriented cats, as they are called, may appreciate a light rubbing of a knuckle inside their ear.

WHERE DO CATS LIKE TO BE RUBBED MOST?

Many people think that all cats like belly rubs, but that’s not the case. The majority of them prefer you to rub them almost everywhere else! This misconception stems from the fact that a petted cat will often roll onto its back, appearing to show up for a belly rub.

In reality, cats lie on their backs when they feel relaxed and able to let their guard down in your presence. Although usually a sign of submission, this position can also indicate restlessness when paired with flat ears, dilated pupils, or growling.

Some people are disappointed by their cat’s resistance to belly petting, but it’s extremely important not to overdo it. A cat’s tummy is incredibly sensitive, and there are plenty of other petting options that they’re more likely to enjoy.

As we’ve seen, an ear rub is an effective way to create a bond and familiarity between you and your cat. However, there are several other areas of the body where they are likely to enjoy petting.

Every cat is different, but with careful attention, it’s easy to determine the kitty’s personal preference. Some of the safest places to pet a cat include the cheeks, which have pheromone-releasing scent glands, the forehead, under the chin, and the back of the body from head to tail.

The cat rubs itself: how rubbing occurs

Rubbing is to be considered a facial marking and is technically performed by rubbing one side of the cat’s head from the corner of the oral cavity to the tip of the ear.

The movement can be performed several times in a row, even in the opposite direction, going against the grain, and equally involving the other half of the head (left and/or right depending on which side the scrubbing started on).

It is quite common to see that the rubbing extends to involve the rest of the cat’s body as well, not limiting itself to just the muzzle, thus including the trunk and tail.

The latter, generally placed as a question mark with the final curl upwards, remains to cling: let’s imagine, for example, when our cat rubs against our legs, and everything will be clearer to you!

Does the cat rub everywhere? On objects yes!

As already mentioned, cats rub against things and, by releasing their pheromone, they mark the object in question. This frequently happens on objects belonging to the owner because they are rich in their individual smell. This is, for example, why cats rub against shoes as well as being attracted by the smell of leather.

Furthermore, if you happen to see a cat lying down, rubbing on the ground, and rolling on the floor, in general, it may be a cat in heat but this attitude is not exclusive, as already explained above.

In conclusion

As we’ve established, it’s common for cats to enjoy having their ears rubbed. The main reason for this is the presence of scent glands on the outer part of the cat’s ear. When rubbed, these glands release pheromones that promote feelings of well-being, ease, attachment, and familiarity.