That moment when your cat brushes its cheek against yours, trots in to greet you, or curls beside your feet might just be more meaningful than you think. Because beyond the purrs and the head nudges lies a subtle truth: your cat might actually regard you as one of its own kind. Domestic cats form deep bonds with humans that mirror the connections they show with fellow felines. A study from Oregon State University, published in the journal , found that many cats preferred human interaction over food when given a choice. So when your furry companion begins acting more like a fellow cat than a pet, it’s a sign worth noticing.



5 signs that your cat thinks you are a cat too

Your cat headbutts or rubs its face against you



When your cat bumps its head into you or rubs its cheeks against your arm or leg, it is doing more than just seeking affection. In feline social behaviour this action, called bunting, transfers the cat’s scent onto you. That scent mixing essentially means “you belong in my group.” Whether cats do this to each other in a multi-cat household or to human companions, the outcome is the same: social bonding. If your cat chooses to bunt you regularly, it is identifying you as part of its inner circle, not just as an outsider.


It shows you its belly, an act of trust

In the wild, a cat’s belly is the most vulnerable part of its body. Exposing it is risky unless the cat feels entirely safe. So when your cat rolls onto its back in your presence and displays its tummy, it is signalling trust. This is not simply a request for a belly rub; often, cats will retract or flick a paw if you attempt that. Instead, this exposure says: “I am relaxed around you, I consider you part of my world.” Seeing your cat do that around you is a strong indicator that it regards you as safe and familiar.


Your cat brings you “gifts”



When your cat drops a toy mouse, a bit of string, or (less delightfully) a small prey item at your feet, it is sharing something it values. In feline social groups, sharing food or hunting rewards occurs between animals that recognise one another as part of the same unit. By offering something to you, your cat is saying, “We are together in this.” It may not be conventionally charming, but it is a gesture of inclusion. It means your cat sees you not merely as a provider, but as a member of its little feline society.


It mirrors your routine and emotions

Have you noticed that your cat seems to follow your movements or adopt your schedule? Perhaps it appears whenever you sit down, wakes up when you do, or pads into the room when you’re working. This mirroring behaviour resembles how cats living together synchronise. Moreover, many cat owners report their pets responding to emotional shifts, seeking them out when they seem sad, purring more when they are content. This emotional attunement signals a recognition that you matter to the cat in a way akin to a fellow companion.


Your cat slowly blinks at you



That gentle, half-closed gaze your cat offers is not just a sleepy stare; it is a statement of calm and trust. Behaviourists call it the “slow blink”, a feline gesture that in cat-to-cat communication means “I am safe, I am comfortable with you.” If your cat offers this to you even once or twice, and you mirror it, closing your eyes slowly and reopening, you’ll often get the same look back. That mutual exchange says: “We understand each other.” When your cat treats you this way, it is acknowledging you as a fellow creature, not merely a human.




Why your cat’s inclusion matters

Cats often get labelled as aloof or indifferent compared to dogs, but the truth is they form meaningful relationships on their own terms. They don’t seek to lead or dominate; they simply choose to trust. When your cat bunts you, rolls over in your presence, shares “gifts”, mirrors your mood, or slow blinks at you, it is not following a script for domestic life. It is offering you a place inside its social world.

In recognising these signs, you deepen the mutual bond. Starting to understand the language your cat uses means you also respond in kind, creating a shared rhythm of companionship that both of you enjoy.



Your cat may seem independent, but when it does make the choice to include you, it is offering something special. The next time it headbutts you, flops next to you, or stares at you with sleepy eyes, know this: in its feline way, it is telling you, “You’re one of us.” And that’s perhaps one of the sweetest things a cat can say.





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