Just found out cats have a special scent gland on their cheeks for marking

I was reading a library book about animal biology last night and it mentioned cats have scent glands right on their cheeks. When they rub their face on you or furniture, they're actually marking it as safe and familiar. I always thought it was just a cute sign of affection. Does your cat do this a lot too, or is mine just extra clingy?

2 comments

2 Comments

angelab6228d ago

Oh that's so cool, I never knew that either! My cat does this all the time, especially when I get home from work. He'll come over and just slam his whole face into my leg. Maybe it's his way of saying the apartment smells right again. It's pretty cute now that I know what it means, like he's putting his stamp of approval on everything.

coleh5128d ago

Wait, I have to disagree a little! I always heard it's more about ownership than safety. My cat does it most when new stuff comes into the house, like a bag or a person. It seems like he's saying "this is mine now" more than "this is safe." He's not a clingy cat at all, he's pretty independent. The book probably has the right facts, but I see the meaning differently. It feels like a territorial thing first and a comfort thing second.