Cats don't understand kissing the way we humans do because they show affection, perceive emotions, and communicate differently than we do. However, some cats may understand that kissing is their owner's way of showing affection if done regularly.
Cats have unique personalities, so how they perceive kisses and whether they enjoy them will vary from cat to cat. Cats have their own unique way of showing affection that doesn't include kissing. You'll know if your cat likes kisses by her reaction and body language. Signs that she likes them include the cat leaning forward, purring, and becoming dizzy. If she turns away or slaps you, this is a clear signal that she doesn't like being kissed.
Why you can't kiss cats: reasons for the ban
Doctors, veterinarians, and animal husbandry and breeding experts are unanimous in their opinion that cats should not be kissed. But what is the reason for this ban? Basically, the argument is made that through kissing a pet (and especially a stray one) you can get an unpleasant disease. But even if the animal is 100% clean of any microbes, fungi and worms, you still shouldn’t touch it with your lips: cats are uncomfortable with such a human act of showing love and they can easily “go on the attack”, trying to protect themselves.
Precautionary measures
According to many avid cat lovers, all of the above reasons apply to street cats. Why can’t you kiss domestic cats, those that don’t go outside the apartment? The arguments are the same. Of course, for an absolutely domestic pet, the chance of contracting any disease is not that great, but it is there. We ourselves bring many fungi and bacteria home on our outdoor shoes and clothes. This means that everything said above remains relevant.
If not kissing a pet is beyond your strength, then try to at least minimize all risks:
- give your pussy all the necessary vaccinations;
- treat the fur with anti-flea drugs even if you are sure that there are no “guests”;
- never feed your animal raw fish or meat;
- Clean the cat litter box as often and diligently as possible;
- Give yourself and your pet regular preventive maintenance against worms;
- Get regular check-ups with your veterinarian.
What do cats think when people kiss them?
How do cats kiss each other? Obviously, completely different from you and me. And animals put a completely different meaning into their “cat caresses.” If the cat wants to express his approval, he can do one of the following actions:
- Blinks both eyes (this is a sign of cat consent).
- It will rub its muzzle and the base of its tail (this is how a cat leaves pheromones on an object that it considers its own).
- He will begin to lick, bite lightly, press with his paws, periodically releasing his claws (these are also all ways to leave his “marks”).
Well-mannered cats will tolerate kisses from their owners, but arrogant animals may bite or scratch
Human kisses are not considered affectionate in the eyes of cats. Just imagine how we look from the animal’s perspective: a large head rapidly reaching towards the cat, for some reason pressing its lips into its muzzle and making a hissing and smacking sound. An animal that lives for a long time surrounded by people will eventually understand that such an action does not threaten it (although it does cause discomfort). Most likely, the pet will tolerate such a manifestation of love, and especially cunning cats will even use it for their own purposes (if they understand that afterward they will receive the owner’s favor or a treat). But out of ignorance or because of its fearful and distrustful disposition, a cat can see human kisses as a threat, which means it can begin to defend itself.
During a fight, animals not only hiss and scream gutturally, but also smack their lips, which is very similar to the sound made by people when kissing - that’s why our “smacks” for cats are tantamount to an offensive curse
Cats, even among themselves, try not to overdo it with affection. Excessive attention overstrains animals. They can still tolerate a person’s advances for a couple of seconds, but from an excessive number of hugs and kisses they will try to run away - they will begin to hide, shy away from outstretched hands and even scratch and bite, showing that they do not want to be touched.
A light touch of a cat’s nose can be called a kind of kiss, since the animal does this only in relation to “its own”, but the meaning of this gesture is to check what the person smells like - whether he ate something tasty and whether he needs it mark with your pheramones
My cat has it written right on her face when I kiss her: “Okay, I understand, you need this, you can’t live without it, without these kisses. For now, I hang for a little without moving and with my eyes closed.” And she hangs, endures, waits for the end of my manifestations of love)) But she herself occasionally comes to kiss, most often this happens at 5 in the morning, when she has already slept and it would be nice to eat.
Natalia
https://thequestion.ru/questions/2839/kogda-kotikov-celuyut-oni-ponimayut-chto-eto-proyavlenie-nezhnosti-ili-prosto-terpyat
Video: cats don't like human kisses
Why do dogs kiss people?
Showing affection to a dog does not mean kissing or hugging. This is a purely human judgment. The concept of tenderness does not exist for dogs. An animal can make itself comfortable next to you and let itself be kissed, but it does not experience the emotions that a person receives during the same actions.
What is noteworthy is that the pet can lick its face when the owner tries to kiss her. But for an animal, licking pack members is a measure of hygiene. Thus, the animal is simply trying to show care.
A real manifestation of a kind of care and sincere affection is to give a paw to its owner. This action means much more emotionally for a dog than kissing.
In addition, it is important to remember that a dog can show its true feelings in an atmosphere filled with calm, where the animal feels completely safe.
In studies conducted by American scientists on wolf packs, coyotes and foxes, it became known that puppies begin to lick the face of their mother, who has just returned from hunting, demanding food. Domestic dogs lick the faces of their owners because they like the taste. After all, dogs have developed not only a sense of smell, but also taste buds. Animals perfectly distinguish between salty, bitter and sour.
Why you shouldn't kiss cats
There are no absolutely clean cats, even those that live only at home and don’t stick their noses outside. The fact is that they walk with their paws, sit and lie on the floor, where there may be dirt brought in by a person on shoes and clothes. Then the pets lick themselves with their tongues (including under the tail), which means their mouths and faces are a potential source of infections. In addition, cats can easily feast on flies that have flown into the house, look into the trash can or drink water from the toilet - the owners simply may not even know about such tricks of their pet.
Having learned what cats do when left unattended, many owners will immediately give up the habit of kissing their faces.
Cat aggression
Pets bring a lot of pleasant emotions into our lives. Well, how can you not love these charming faces, ears, noses? Naturally, we want to somehow express our love and affection, to cuddle and kiss our pet. Sometimes we even treat pets like children. But if a child finds kisses pleasant, then with cats it’s not so simple.
Most cats do not like this kind of tenderness at all. Moreover, they may perceive our innocent, loving kiss as an insult. Why is this happening?
Why cats don't like our kisses
What's wrong with human tenderness? After all, we often observe how cats sniff and lick each other or poke their noses in a person’s face. But the tailed ones do this not at all out of manifestations of love.
These actions help cats understand what we smell like and what tasty things we ate without sharing with them. They also check whether the owner has lost his usual smell. What if a person brought the smell of someone else's cat into the house? Pets don't like this.
© Freepik
When a person wants to kiss a cat, he brings his large (by cat's standards) face closer to the fluffy face. This already stresses and frightens the pet. If you also smack your lips at the same time, you can get bitten on the nose or hit with a paw and walk around with a scratched face.
The fact is that in the cat world, males make sounds similar to smacking when they sort things out. The tailed one perceives this as an insult addressed to him. Take a closer look at a fight between street cats and you can hear that their quarrel is limited not only to hissing and bizarre screams.
© Freepik
Prevention measures
In order not to “catch” dangerous zooanthropotic diseases from your own cat, it is enough to follow simple preventive measures:
- Your pet should be regularly dewormed, treated for external parasites, and vaccinated against all known viral infections, including rabies.
- Closely monitor the health of the animal; at the first signs of illness or inappropriate behavior, immediately contact a veterinary clinic.
- Never touch newborn kittens or the female if she is behaving aggressively. Keep children away from them.
- Do not separate fighting cats; you should not approach them at all - at this moment a person can be seriously injured.
- Never tease a cat, play with your bare hands, or throw your pet out of balance.
- You should not touch animals when they sleep, eat, or wash themselves.
- You should never kiss cats - neither domestic pets, nor, especially, strangers or street ones.
In addition, it is necessary to observe the rules of personal hygiene and clean and disinfect the cat's litter box every day, wash water and food bowls.
Wet cleaning of the house, if a pet lives in it, should also be carried out every day, and regular general cleaning - with the use of disinfectants and the use of a steam generator.
05.05.2019
“Do you know what is the most wonderful thing about our animals? This is their ability to put up with our most strange and unacceptable behavior among their relatives. Animals watch their owners and gradually learn to understand their actions. For the sake of your own peace of mind and for the sake of showing affection to a person you trust.” (Wilma Tigelaar, veterinarian and animal psychologist)
We live in a stressful world, filled with daily bad news on TV, problems in the family and hassle at work, and the ill will of others. We are increasingly withdrawn into ourselves and are ready to fight back at any moment.
What does it mean when your cat sleeps on you?
By choosing to sleep on you, your cat gains an extra layer of protection while bonding with you at the same time. When your cat wants to sleep on you, this is her way of saying “I love you.”
. I want to be close to you and spend time with you when I'm most vulnerable."
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Why can't you kiss cats?
When a cat climbs into the arms of its owner and curls up comfortably, purring loudly, it is impossible not to cuddle this miracle, stroke it and kiss it. But veterinarians advise against doing the latter. Not only is this unpleasant, first of all, for the cat itself, but it also threatens the owner with various diseases. Especially if your pet does not live at home all the time, but goes for walks outside.
Why can't you kiss cats?
Doctors' concerns
Reasonable explanations for why you should not kiss cats on the nose, paws and other parts of the body are also put forward by doctors.
There are a huge number of diseases that a tailed friend can transmit to a person:
- staphylococci, salmonella, bacteria, other microorganisms;
- lichens, fungal infections;
- bartonellosis;
- toxoplasmosis and various types of fever.
Of course, if you see that the pet is clearly sick, then most likely common sense will prevail and you will refrain from kissing. But the problem is that many diseases simply cannot be determined without special tests. In addition, the animal may not be sick, but simply be a carrier of the infection.
It is especially important to handle animals carefully for people who have weakened immune systems:
If a healthy person can kiss a cat without visible consequences for his body, then how a reduced immune system will react to a possible “infection” is not clear.
Why you can't kiss cats and kittens
Among superstitious people who believe in mysticism, there is a widespread view that cats should not be kissed for the reason that this drains a person’s vital energy, which cannot always be fully replenished. However, the seriousness of the situation does not lie at all in some subtle matters. If something unwanted passes to the owner when it comes into contact with fur or saliva on the cat’s face, then these are cat microorganisms, not all of which are harmless. The point is not that not all cats are highly clean, unlike most representatives of their kind. Wool itself is an excellent “nursery” for various kinds of microorganisms, which means that when kissing, contact with them is inevitable.
Cat fur contains microorganisms, not all of which are harmless.
So you can or can't kiss your cat
Do the pets themselves like such tenderness? Alas, most often not. At the very least, you will get a cool and indifferent reaction. The animal simply does not understand this manifestation of the human language of love. And many even see aggression in this, try to dodge, worry, or attack in response, releasing their claws and hissing.
Innocent kisses become a source of stress for the cat. If you want to please a cat, from her point of view, it is better to choose other methods. Treat him with your favorite treat, scratch him behind the ear, stroke him, or even better, play with your pet who missed you during your absence.
Choose the right time for tenderness. If the pet is hungry or in a hurry about its cat business, it is unlikely that it will be delighted. But a well-fed and sleepy cat will accept your signs of attention with great pleasure and reward you with a grateful purr.
In a word, there is no clear answer to the question - is it possible to kiss your cat? Of course, no one can put a categorical ban on you; this is the business of each individual owner and a matter of his love of love. But it’s better to choose other methods of tactile contact that will be pleasant for both you and your pet. Love your pets and let this love be mutual.
Is it possible to kiss domestic cats?
There is only one conclusion: kisses and close hugs are undesirable for either the pet or the cat’s owners.
Another source of concern is fleas, which can bite and even carry some diseases. Yes, if the cat is an indoor cat and does not go outside, then it most likely does not have insects (although the animal’s “homebody” does not give a 100% guarantee). But in addition to fleas, dust mites live in animal fur, invisible to the eye and causing severe allergies in many people. This is the very notorious “cat allergy”, which, according to the latest scientific research, does not exist. Or rather, it exists, but the cat has nothing to do with it, it’s not the animal at all, but the dust mites. Therefore, those prone to allergies should refrain not only from kissing, but even from bringing animal fur close to their face - this applies to those who like to tinker and sleep with cats as if they were soft toys.
Life cycle of a cat flea
Another source of trouble is cat saliva. Even with absolute confidence that the pet has been treated for parasites. The saliva of mammals contains a certain set of proteins characteristic of each species. When you kiss on the face, some amount of saliva necessarily enters the person’s oral cavity. And here questions may arise: where did the inflammatory processes come from, since the cat doesn’t go for walks, its owners regularly take it to the veterinarian to get rid of parasites? The fact is that the human immune system clearly perceives a foreign protein as hostile and immediately tries to neutralize it. As a result, immunity decreases for some time, but the risk of infection with all sorts of unpleasant ailments increases, the most harmless of which are gingivitis and stomatitis. This is why you can’t even kiss your pet pussies on the faces.
It is also better to simply stroke the sides and back, without kissing - the fur contains microorganisms that are “native” to the cat, but are completely alien to people and the immune system begins to reject them.
Video - Reasons why you shouldn't kiss cats
Main reasons for the ban
Cats most often live next to humans not for any specific benefit, because now they practically do not have to catch mice.
A person needs this companion animal, perhaps much more than a cat needs an owner.
These pets give all household members their love, affection and devotion, without demanding anything in return.
It has been noted that people living in the same room with a furry pet are less susceptible to colds and hypertension. Children who grew up with a cat are not prone to allergies, are taught to take care of a pet from an early age, and are more psychologically stable.
Even stroking an animal sitting on his lap, a person receives a lot of positive emotions. However, so does the pet.
But kissing a cat is absolutely unnecessary. A cat does not understand such manifestations of feelings and does not need them. She is quite satisfied with gentle hands and kind words.
Kissing a pet is, first of all, unhygienic.
Although a cat is a clean creature, it is not sterile. The animal uses a litter tray, sometimes eats raw meat, and many microorganisms can live on its fur.
The immunity of cats is of a completely different nature than that of humans and is much stronger. Those pathogenic bacteria that are found on the mucous membranes of the mouth and on the fur can be dangerous for humans.
But there are several versions, besides the opinion of veterinarians, why a cat should not be kissed or even pressed to its face.
Mystical
From time immemorial it was believed that a cat is a carrier of the souls of the dead. Moreover, these legends were passed down from mouth to mouth among many peoples. And they are composed of many cat breeds, for example, Siamese, Sacred Burmese.
The Egyptians believed that cats warded off evil entities by diverting their attention to themselves. In Medieval Europe, they were the embodiment of the spirit of a witch; in Japan, cats were considered bearers of evil.
Apparently this is where the assumption arose that by kissing a cat, a person can become its slave or subject of the entity that it embodies.
Another legend says that with a kiss, a person gives part of his vitality to the cat. And the more often you kiss a pet, the worse the owner will feel. And the idea that a cat loses its sense of smell from kisses is completely absurd.
None of these versions, of course, has any scientific basis.
Psychological
Over many centuries of coexistence, people have become so attached to cats that they cannot even imagine life without them.
The only problem is that cats understand their owners very well, but they don’t always understand their pets.
Cats are usually tired of excessive petting, because these animals are very self-sufficient. They demand to express emotions using the tools that they understand and like.
Not understanding another too violent manifestation of the owner’s love, the cat may decide that they are going to strangle him and begin to take revenge as he knows how and sees fit. Therefore, you should not go after your pet with kisses - he doesn’t like it.
Medical
From a medical point of view, the issue of kissing cats is resolved unequivocally - this should absolutely not be done. After all, people allow themselves tactile contact only with loved ones - parents, family partners, children.
A cat, although a family member for many, belongs to a completely different biological species. And can be a carrier of many zoonotic diseases. Therefore, you should not kiss a cat, much less let children do it.
Hidden threat
Even if the animal does not leave the apartment, undergoes routine deworming, is vaccinated and eats heat-treated food, the owner should think about the hygiene of cat caresses:
- Deceptive clean . At first glance, cats seem to be perhaps the cleanest animals on the planet, having inherited the instinct of wild ancestors, hunting from ambush and licking themselves to hide their scent. Murki spend more than half of their waking hours washing themselves, leisurely licking and sorting the fur with their teeth, cleaning their claws and paw pads. A rough tongue, like a brush, absorbs dead hair, skin particles, dirt and skin secretions. Cats are especially meticulous in washing their faces and intimate areas, thus collecting all bodily fluids, as well as external and internal parasites, with their tongue. The owner involuntarily tastes all this, accepting the tenderness of the furry pet.
- The mouth of a predator . Kissing cats is also not acceptable because the animal’s oral cavity is a container for millions of bacteria. Cats do not brush their teeth, so leftover food rots, causing rapid growth of microflora on the mucous membranes of the gums, cheeks and tongue. As a result, animals may experience tartar deposits, caries, stomatitis and gingivitis. Together with saliva, bacteria can migrate to a person if the owner allows the cat to lick his face, and especially his lips.
- Possibility of allergic manifestations. A pathological reaction of the immune system of some people, known as “cat allergy,” develops upon contact with a specific protein compound contained in skin secretions, dead epidermal cells, natural waste, and especially the saliva of the animal. When licking the cat's fur, saliva spreads throughout the cat's body, getting on the owner's skin not only when kissing the face, but also when stroking and grooming the pet.
You can suspect an allergy to cats if the owner is diagnosed with:
- sneezing and clear nasal discharge without an increase in general body temperature (allergic rhinitis);
- persistent dry cough (allergic bronchitis);
- swelling and redness of the mucous membrane of the eyes, watery eyes and itching (allergic conjunctivitis);
- rash on the face and body (allergic dermatitis);
- severe inflammation and itching at the site of a skin scratch or cat bite.
Contact with cat allergen is especially dangerous for people suffering from bronchial asthma.
Also watch the video of what happens if you kiss cats:
What can you get infected by kissing cats?
So, it's clear that a kiss is not the best way to express your love for your furry pet. Among the “surprises” may await:
- Protozoa bacteria (they do not pose a danger to a person with a strong immune system).
- Staphylococcus (some types pose a threat to humans).
- Salmonella (very rarely cats act as carriers).
- Toxoplasmosis (the pathogen hides in the animal’s feces and, when released into the external environment, becomes passive and develops only under favorable conditions. The risk of getting sick is low if you wash your hands after cleaning trays, but it is better for pregnant women not to do this).
- Fungal infections, for example, ringworm (not dangerous to human life, but it will take a long and unpleasant time to fight).
- Helminths (tapeworms, nematodes, echinococci, roundworms).
The process of infecting a cat with worms
If a four-legged family member walks on the street, then this is even more dangerous - he catches birds and rodents, carriers of various kinds of viruses, including those dangerous to people.
Viruses and infections
The only good reason why you shouldn’t kiss cats on the nose is the pet’s possible illness. Four-legged animals and their owners have a number of common ailments, and some of them are transmitted through close contact.
From seemingly healthy domestic cats, the owner can become infected with:
- Protozoa bacteria - do not pose a threat if the immune system is not suppressed.
- Staphylococcus - some types are dangerous to humans.
- Salmonella is dangerous to humans, but cats are rarely its asymptomatic carriers.
- Fungi of various natures. The most common fungus transmitted from cats to humans is ringworm. Fungi are contagious, cause discomfort, require long-term treatment, but do not pose a serious danger.
There is such a thing as “cat scratch fever.” The formulation implies an acute reaction of the human immune system to an infection that has entered the skin through a scratch or bite. The causative agent is the bacterium Bartonella, which can be detected in a pet through a blood test.
Toxoplasmosis can also be transmitted through kissing, but the likelihood is extremely low. Toxoplasma is found in animal feces, but immediately after entering the external environment, it lies dormant. After about 3 days, under favorable circumstances, toxoplasma becomes active. Considering all the nuances, the risk of contracting toxoplasmosis is much higher if a person comes into contact with sand from uncovered sandboxes.
Dangerous neighborhood
By receiving good nutrition and regular grooming, your pet can look completely healthy: well-fed sides, radiant eyes, shiny coat. However, it can be a carrier of pathogenic particles dangerous to humans, including viruses, bacteria, fungal microflora and parasites.
If a cat has access to the street and “walks on its own,” then the likelihood of bringing infection into the house on its paws and fur increases tenfold. Dirty travel through garbage cans and basements, eating garbage, contact with rats and unkempt stray creatures increases the risk of transmitting pathogens of dangerous diseases to owners:
- Rabies . The deadly virus usually enters the bloodstream through the bite of a sick animal. However, there have been cases of infection through saliva that gets onto the wound surface of the skin or mucous membrane. In the wild, the main source of the disease is foxes, and in the city - stray dogs and cats. The virus spreads along nerve fibers and affects the central nervous system, leading to aggressive behavior, paralysis and death. Veterinarians warn: you should never touch, much less pick up or press an unfamiliar cat to your face. The closer the site of initial penetration of the pathogen is to the head, the shorter the incubation period and the less time to take preventive measures and administer a life-saving vaccine.
- Toxoplasmosis . The causative agent of toxoplasmosis is the microscopic parasite Toxoplasma gondii, which enters the body through contact with infected animals, their blood, entrails and feces, as well as through eating poorly cooked or fried meat. If a pet is a carrier of toxoplasma, the owner can easily become infected by changing the litter in the cat's litter box and forgetting to wash their hands afterward. Some people have asymptomatic toxoplasmosis, while others experience a slight increase in temperature, conjunctivitis, lethargy, swollen lymph nodes, and dysfunction of the liver, heart, and nervous system. Toxoplasma poses a particular danger to pregnant women, causing intrauterine fetal death, serious developmental disorders and the birth of an oligophrenic child.
- Salmonellosis . This is a highly contagious infectious disease of animals caused by bacteria from the genus Salmonella and affecting mainly the digestive and respiratory systems. In young animals, the disease is severe, with general intoxication, fever, signs of acute gastroenteritis and bronchitis. A pet can become infected with salmonella through contact with sick pets, birds and harmful rodents. If sanitary standards are not observed at poultry farms, poultry carcasses and eggs become the source of the disease. A person runs the risk of getting salmonellosis by caring for a sick kitten or eating meat products that have not passed veterinary control.
- Chlamydia . In cats, the intracellular bacterium Chlamydophila felis most often affects the eyes, leading to chronic conjunctivitis. In babies from 1 to 3 months, severe inflammation of the mucous membrane of the eyes and profuse lacrimation are accompanied by decreased activity, runny nose, swelling of the throat and bronchitis. Mature cats become infected through sexual contact, newborn kittens - when passing through the female's birth canal. In humans, the course of feline chlamydial conjunctivitis has a lubricated form and proceeds easily. Infection is possible through contact with a carrier animal. For treatment, eye ointments containing antibiotics are used.
- Dermatomycoses . Fungal infections of the skin, known as ringworm, lead to redness, itching, dandruff, bald patches and brittle hair. The course of the disease is complicated by the addition of a pyogenic infection. Young children are most sensitive to dermatomycosis due to instability of the immune system and non-compliance with mandatory hygiene rules. If symptoms of the disease are detected in a cat, treatment should be started immediately, and all family members should undergo a preventive examination by a dermatologist.
- Helminths . Cats can be hosts to several types of parasitic worms (worms), which live primarily in the intestines, but cause intoxication of the entire body. Kittens are most often infected with roundworms (nematodes), the most common of which are roundworms. Their number can be so great that the intestinal wall ruptures and the baby dies from peritonitis. Adult animals are infested with tapeworms, the most dangerous of which is echinococcus. In the human body, the larva travels through the bloodstream into the liver and forms blisters there, in which it slowly develops and grows. Cats become infected with helminths from each other, or by eating raw meat, liver, or fish with microscopic larvae. Freshwater bodies of water are especially unfavorable, so it is recommended to thoroughly boil the catch from there. Worm eggs are released into the external environment with feces and often remain on the animal’s fur, so a person can become a carrier of helminths during daily interaction with a cat. As a preventative measure, you should regularly give your pet antihelminthic drugs and avoid feeding poor-quality food.
Do cats like to be kissed?
A logical question arises: how does the cat herself feel from hugs and kisses from her owner? Surprisingly, very few murks perceive this as affection and would like to receive it again and again. On the contrary, they see this as some kind of act of aggression and try in every possible way to avoid such a manifestation of feelings - they worry, hiss, and sometimes use their claws. It's simple - cats and people are not brothers and their ways of expressing emotions are completely different. If a cat responds to kisses with bites or scratches, this does not mean that it is aggressive or ill-mannered - it means that it has encountered an alien type of communication and does not understand how to behave. Or, on the contrary, she has already understood and clearly makes it clear to the person: “Stop it.”
What do cats like?
Cats have their own ways of telling you that they love you, but they also have certain ways in which they like to be shown affection . A cat has certain areas that like to be touched more than others. They include on the back, under the chin, behind the ears and on the head. Their bellies and legs are generally off-limits as they are too sensitive.
These cats are very curious and really like to look at things. The way they look at you can be a sign of close affection. However, they do not like looking directly into your eyes; they often perceive this as a sign of threat. In general, they love company and will spend time sitting on your lap or letting you pet them.
If you want to show affection to your cat, you must start by ensuring its well-being. This means providing adequate nutrition, plenty of fresh water and a free environment. When you do this, they will know that they trust you more and will be more likely to allow you to show affection. Whether it's through kissing or hugging depends on your cat.
Cat Kiss: Are you really kissed by your cats and pussies?
Cat owners are well acquainted with such characteristics of their four-legged charges as head-butting on the owner’s arms and legs, rubbing, touching with their paws, and light biting. Many people regard this as actual kissing, so why don’t they kiss the pussy in return?
In fact, such a manifestation of emotions has nothing to do with kissing. If a cat rubs against furniture, objects, bags, clothes, or the owner’s hands, then in no case does it express its submission as some people think and does not kiss. She marks the territory in this way, saying: “This is all mine, and the person is also mine, I allow him to be on my territory.” When a cat rubs, it spreads its scent throughout its habitat and divides those present into friends and foes.
Cats often lick. But this does not mean that they are kissing: the owner probably found the pussy tasty, because the aroma from the food remained on his hand or cheek. The same thing happens if a pet smells a new, unfamiliar scent - for example, the owner bought himself a new perfume. They will definitely come and rub and “tag” you. A cat can also lick a person if he doesn’t seem clean enough to her. The roots of this behavior lie in the instinctive desire of the mother cat to protect her brood from danger and rid it of foreign odors.
What does the cat say?
Important! In the same way, the cat examines pieces of furniture, sniffing them and tasting them with its teeth. However, no one thinks that she is kissing, for example, the sofa. Meanwhile, she studies a person in the same way. This is nothing more than a cognitive process, testing the teeth, studying properties. It has nothing to do with a kiss. Sometimes, by biting, a cat is forced, on the contrary, to stop the flow of affection from the owner. If he doesn’t understand, the cat scratches, bites and hisses. Some attribute this to an aggressive character, although in fact it is not the cat who is the aggressor, but she sees the owner as such.
All this does not mean that cats cannot kiss. They know how and practice. But they do this not through tactile contact, but at a distance. They squint their eyes, look at the owner, purring, sometimes turning on their back and sticking out their belly, demonstrating a high degree of trust in the person. Therefore, if you really want to please a cat (not from a human point of view, but from the point of view of the cat and its preferences), then the best kiss is to look at it gently, then slowly look away.
How cats show their love
Signs Your Cat Loves Kisses
These are signs that your cat loves kisses:
- She blinks slowly to show affection.
- She leans forward with her ears up
- She purrs
- She tolerates your kisses
- She follows you and hangs out with you
- She rubs her head on you to show her affection
- She grooms you by licking your nose or face
- She raises her tail and wraps it around your legs or arms.
How to tell if a cat doesn't like kisses
- She avoids or moves away from your kisses
- She is aggressive and hisses
- Her ears are back and she's annoyed
- She wags her tail, which means she is upset, upset or annoyed.
- She spanks you
Common diseases
Here are some of the most common diseases that can pass from cats to humans. Agree, this is a pretty good reason why you shouldn’t kiss cats.
- Toxoplasmosis. This disease affects the liver, spleen, eyes, nervous system, heart and other organs. It is especially dangerous for girls “in an interesting position.” Toxoplasmosis can cause irreversible intrauterine damage to the fetus and affect its development.
- "Scratchies." This disease is quite common, although it is not very common to talk about it. The scratched areas can become very inflamed. A rash may appear, an allergic reaction, intoxication, and inflammation of the lymph nodes may occur.
- Worms. The disease is caused by parasites that live in the bodies of cats and humans. It's very easy to get infected. Don’t think that if your pet doesn’t go outside, then it’s “clean.” If a cat eats raw meat or fish, then it definitely has worms.
- Rabies. A fairly well-known disease that can be fatal. It is transmitted by bites along with the saliva of a sick animal. Of course, domestic pussies rarely go wild, but it still happens.
- Plague. This is a very dangerous disease. It is generally accepted that it is carried by rats, but cats can also be sources of infection. In humans, the plague causes severe fever, sepsis and attacks the lungs.
- Felinosis. It manifests itself in humans in the form of a rash, pustular inflammation, fever and other unpleasant symptoms. It is transmitted mainly from cats through mucous membranes and saliva.
- Lichen. A very unpleasant and common disease. Fungal infection causes hair loss, severe itching, sores and redness. It takes quite a long time to heal.
The benefits of communicating with cats
Scientists have proven that the benefits of communicating with furry pets are undeniable: even the very presence of a cat has a beneficial effect on the owner’s psyche, especially tactile contact when he picks it up and strokes it. In addition to purely moral satisfaction, communication with a pet improves well-being due to:
- activation of blood flow;
- warming the body, which is especially important during inflammatory processes and radiculitis;
- normalization of blood pressure and heart rate through activation of neurons from contact with cat fur.
In addition, it is noted:
- faster and more productive socialization of children with Down syndrome - constant contact with a cat makes it easier to get into contact with society;
- increasing stress resistance;
- quick relaxation after a busy day for all people, this is especially important for those whose work involves stress;
- getting rid of insomnia;
- reduction of symptoms of “chronic fatigue syndrome”, rapid fatigue disappears.
Thus, the benefits of tactile communication with your pet are undeniable. However, it should be remembered that it is impossible to force a cat to sit with its owner and treat him. The cat will leave if at the moment he did not plan to sit with the owner and purr. There will be no benefit from this, even if you forcibly hold the animal on your knees. It is better to wait until the cat is ready to do this.
Positive and negative effects of cats on human health
In a word, you can and should kiss cats, but at a certain distance. This is optimal contact for both four-legged animals and humans. The cat will feel that the owner loves her and respects her personal space, and the person does not need to be afraid of contracting unpleasant microorganisms or infections.
Attention! A cat and a person belong to different species, which means they have different languages and preferences, and you should not try to force animals to love you by forcibly hugging and kissing them.
You can watch a video on the dangers of kissing cats here:
Signs prohibiting kissing cats
Many people understand that signs and superstitions do not have scientifically based confirmation, but there is still some truth in them.
The main signs prohibiting kissing cats are:
- Kissing an animal takes away and drains the life force from the owner. And as a result, a person will love only his cat and will be doomed to loneliness for the rest of his days.
The most common example of this statement is meeting an elderly or simply lonely middle-aged woman who has many cats living in her apartment. Perhaps the reason for her unsettled personal life lies in the personal problems of the woman herself, and not in superstition.
Another example is an ordinary Kiev family consisting of a father, mother and two daughters. The mother picked up all the stray cats in the area and brought them home, despite her youngest daughter being allergic to cat hair. And then she left her family and went to work and live in a cat shelter, and is not even interested in her loved ones. But this case is more reminiscent of a mental disorder of an individual person, and not the effect of a folk sign.
On men's forums, a cruel joke is often voiced in rude form and in various interpretations: “If you refused me, at the age of 30 you will be a lonely old maid with cats.” Even if the author came up with this phrase based on a proverb, it looks more like wounded pride rather than folk superstition.
- You can't kiss cats because they will lose their sense of smell. This statement is easily refuted by any veterinarian. A cat may lose its sense of smell in old age and if it has a runny nose. A runny nose can occur in pets due to infection, draft, or hypothermia. But kissing the owner does not cause the pet to become ill.