Cat Behaviorist Reveals the No. 1 Sign Your Cat Likes Cuddling

Contrary to popular belief, many cats are cuddle creatures. Some can lap out days and nights snuggling on your couch, while other kitties aren't fans of physical touch and may prefer to bond with you in other ways. Neither is "wrong," but one pet behaviorist emphasizes that it's important to understand the difference so you can love your kitty in a way that fills their cup. To discover the number one way to tell if your cat actually likes cuddling, according to a pet behaviorist, keep reading.

After all, since cats communicate and show affection differently than people do, sometimes it can be hard knowing if they like snuggling or not. Because of this, it leaves many pet parents wondering, "Do cats like to cuddle?"

Dr. Franck Péron, DVM, Ph.D., an animal behavioral specialist and member of the global health platform team (Develop), Royal Canin Innovation, reminds us that cats use subtle body language to communicate when they feel comfortable or stressed. "Understanding whether your cat enjoys cuddling helps you respect their emotional needs and strengthens the bond you share," explains he says. "Recognizing their preferences supports their well-being. This is especially important as many social behaviors in adult cats are shaped during kittenhood."

Though, since every cat is unique, it's important to tune into your pet's cues and watch out for cat cuddling behaviors. Generally, though, Dr. Péron says that there's one way to tell if your cat actually likes being held and loved on. Curious? Scroll on for his insights, plus his top tips on how to cuddle a cat.

Related: 7 Friendly Cat Breeds For People Who Want a Sweet Companion

The Clearest Sign Your Cat Enjoys Cuddling

Dr. Péron says the best way to tell if your cat actually likes cuddling is to pay close attention to their cat body language and behavior cues. "Observe whether your cat chooses to approach and stay close voluntarily," Dr. Péron reveals. "Cats that enjoy physical affection and cuddling show relaxed, open body language-one of the clearest signs your cat likes cuddling-and they remain engaged without signs of stress or tension.

Voluntary interaction is one of the most reliable indicators of a cat's comfort and emotional security, Dr. Péron reports. "A cat that leans into your hand, settles beside you or maintains a loose, relaxed posture is signaling comfort and trust," Dr. Péron notes. "These behaviors mirror the affiliative cues kittens use with their mother and littermates. When an adult cat displays them with humans, it shows they feel safe and emotionally secure."

Other Clues Your Cat Is Actually a Cuddler

Besides noticing relaxed body language, Dr. Péron shares that your cat will drop other clues about cuddling preferences. You just have to know what to look for. Here are a few other ways to gauge how your feline friend is feeling about snuggles.

1. They purr during relaxed contact

Purring is one of the most recognizable cat sounds, but it isn't always a sign of happiness-context matters in cat behavior and body language. So, when it comes to cat purring meaning, how can you tell if its good or bad?

"A soft, steady purr during gentle handling is strongly associated with contentment and positive cat-human bonding behavior," Dr. Péron says. "It suggests your cat is experiencing a relaxed, positive emotional state while being close to you-one of the clearest signs your cat enjoys cuddling."

In fact, you may notice your cat purring while also showing open, relaxed body language-something that aligns with Dr. Péron's top indicator that a cat actually likes cuddling: voluntary, relaxed physical closeness and comfort cues.

2. They head or body butt you

What's a cat behavior that shows your cat enjoys being touched? "When a cat rubs their head, cheek, or body against you, they're using scent glands to mark you as familiar and safe-a behavior rooted in early kitten social bonding," Dr. Péron explains. "This gentle 'bunting' is a strong indicator of trust and positive emotional connection."

3. They slow blink at you

What does it mean when your cat slow blinks at you? This subtle sign that your cat enjoys physical affection is easy to miss, so if you blink twice and you might not notice it. Dr. Péron explains that slow blinking is how cats talk with their eyes and is a well-known form of cat body language and affectionate communication, often used to build trust and emotional connection. Dr. Péron shares that slow blinking is a well-known (but hard to notice) way cats bid for emotional connection. It also shows they feel relaxed and secure around you.

Related: What Your Cat's Greeting Style Reveals About Your Bond, According to a Vet

How to Cuddle a Cat

Every cat has unique preferences when it comes to physical affection, but there are a few general cat cuddling behavior guidelines pet parents can follow while learning what their individual cat enjoys. Rule #1: always let your cat initiate contact. "Cats feel safest when they choose the interaction," Dr. Péron explains, saying its an important principle in cat-human bonding behavior.

He adds that cats are far more likely to remain engaged in physical touch when humans follow their lead. That means paying attention to their comfort signals and preferred touch zones. "Most cats enjoy gentle strokes on the cheeks, chin and base of the ears-areas linked to scent glands and positive cat body language and social bonding cues," Dr. Péron says.

Dr. Péron also recommends keeping cuddle sessions short, calm and predictable. "Cats prefer brief, structured interactions; pausing regularly allows them to indicate whether they want more affection or need space, which supports their emotional well-being and trust," he notes.

From there, look for the clearest sign your cat actually likes cuddling, like relaxed body language along with other positive cues such as slow blinking, purring during contact, and head butting, all of which are strong signs of cat affection and comfort.

Source:

• Dr. Franck Péron, DVM, Ph.D., is an animal behavioral specialist and member of the global health platform team (Develop), Royal Canin Innovation. Dr. Péron is also board-certified in animal welfare,

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This story was originally published April 30, 2026 at 6:10 AM.