Why Is My Cat Obsessed With My Face? (Avoid This Mistake…)

If your cat is constantly rubbing or touching your face you may be wondering why this is…

Why is my cat obsessed with my face?

Cats often obsess over your face because, to them, it’s the warmest part of your body. And, especially at the night, your head will move less than other parts, such as your arms and legs. However, they are also known to paw at it out of annoyance so avoid having them in your bed.

So, now you know. But, why does it nuzzle against your face? Why do they touch your face with their paw? Why do cats get in your face when you sleep? Keep reading for these answers, and much more…

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Why does my cat want to nuzzle my face?

A woman’s hand petting a black cat in bed.

Cats will often nuzzle your face to subtly place their scent on you. The scent glands in their cheeks can quickly be omitted while they are doing this. However, it is also an effective way to get your attention.

You may also see them rubbing up against your legs around feeding time, right? Well, there are quite similar, as well as showing love for the meal they are also marking you as their property.

Why is my cat always in my face?

Cats may seem to be in your face (could they fart there? click here) all the time because they love you and are so keen to fend off any other cats that may even think of claiming you. Hence the reason they may be rubbing their cheeks, pawing you, etc.

It may seem annoying to you at times but, to them, this is showing you they appreciate you. So, take it as a compliment instead.

How Do I Stop My Cat From Kneading My Face?

Your cat kneading and pawing your face is one of the ways they show you love. However, when you’re trying to sleep or your cat needs a manicure, you might want to curb this behavior kindly. There are ways to have them stop this type of kneading without hurting their feelings.

Offer Them Another Item With Your Scent

A cat has strong scent glands in the cheeks, so they likely think you do too. They want to mix scents to bond with you. If you give your cat something else with your scents, such as a shirt or a pillowcase, they’ll likely find comfort in that object because it smells like you.

Cats have an instinctual desire to knead things to make them comfortable and warm to either snuggle up to or lay on. Something that smells like you can help satisfy that need for them.

Offer Them Regular Attention

Your cat could be kneading your face to get your attention, either because they’re bored or they feel ignored. Be sure you’re taking time to play with them each day, sitting with them and giving them pets, and showering them with adoration. Cats need much more attention than they let on sometimes.

Praise Them For Kneading This Item, Instead Of You

Even though kneading is a normal cat behavior that shouldn’t be punished, there are times when kneading could keep you awake or distract you from other things. Be sure to praise them when they knead something else in place of you so they know they have another comfort object to knead when you’re otherwise engaged.

Why does my cat touch my face with her paw?

Cats will touch your face with their paw because they either want your attention or mark you for territorial reasons. In most cases, this will be done gently with no aggression intended.

Do cats feel love when you kiss them?

A cat rolled over getting stroked.

Some cats do understand that a human kiss and appreciates the love. Whereas others struggle to make the connection. You can tell by their body language in response.

For example, if they are purring, reciprocating your kiss by rubbing against you, etc. These are all subtle signs that they appreciate your gesture of love.

Why do cats get in your face when you’re sleeping?

Cats get in your face when you sleep because they want to feel protected while they sleep and also avoid being crushed by your body weight. Think about it, a cat is not silly. It knows your arms and legs may thrash around in the night, so your head is perfect to keep them safe and warm.

Now that you know why cats get in your face, let me explain why they even enjoy your bed in the first place, how they show their affection, why they may jump on you while you are sleeping, and more. Keep reading.

Do cats feel safe with you at night?

The reason they’re getting in your face when you’re sleeping is that it’s a safety issue. Your head is unlikely to be swishing a moving around, which could inadvertently hit the cat.

Cats are not silly, they know that your arms or body may roll onto them and squash them in the night. So, they opt for your head, it’s their best option.

So, for that reason, they opt for your head and stay there to keep themselves safe. Also, in most cases, they won’t stay in that same position all night. They may switch that position once they see you start stirring and showing signs that you are about to wake up.

This is an indication to them that it might not be long before they get fed or get some attention from you, are you with me?

Why does a cat even want to sleep in your bed?

This is a good question, cats will sleep in your bed even if they have their cat bed (Click here to see why I rated this cat bed). Why? Because they feel protected by you. Take this as a compliment, the mere fact that she wants to be near you in this intimate location means she trusts you completely. And, feels that you will offer protection.

On the flip side, there are times when your cat feels that it wants to protect you, simply by being in your bed with you. So, it kind of works both ways.

What other ways do cats show their affection?

Cats have several ways to show affection. The reality is it is very different from a human being, so for that reason, I’m going to break it down for you now…

Purring Lovingly

Purring is a sound that you are probably familiar with. It is very unique to cats, in my opinion, it almost sounds like a little motor is murmuring in the background. When you hear this, it’s a classic sign that your cat is showing you affection and wants to be petted.

Rolling on his back

You may have seen images of a cat doing this, or maybe even witnessed your cat rolling around playfully exposing its belly. In particular, when they are exposing their belly.

This is an indication that they feel comfortable and happy around you. It is an indication that he wants you to stroke and plays with him.

Bunting (What now?)

Bunting is a term that you may not have heard of before. However, I’m sure once I start to explain what it is the chances are you have seen this before.

To cut a long story short, bunting is when your cat rubs its head lovingly against your legs Arms or body. Sometimes it will give you a gentle but of the head and rub its body against you, are you with me?

This is a way of showing affection that she loves you. As well as rubbing her scent on you, which is an indication that she sees you as her territory.

A subtle little reminder

Another technique that some cats use is to pounce on you while you’re sleeping. But, in this context, it’s not necessarily to do with showing affection, or protection for that matter.

It may be to simply remind you of something that you have forgotten to do for them. Let me give you some examples:

Have you potentially forgotten to fill their water bowl?
Does she want to go outside but you haven’t left the door open?
Is she hungry, and you forgot to feed her?
The list goes on… (But I think you get the point).

Ultimately, it’s their cute way of informing you that they need your attention. And, they need to give you something.

Why do some cats lick you in the face when you are sleeping?

If you have ever caught your cat licking your face in the night, you have either been freaked out or felt flattered. This is a cat’s way of showing affection. It’s one of their behaviors learned from birth. They will groom and lick you because it is what they learned as a kitten, are you with me?

To explain this, I need to go back to their roots. Cats, in a weird way, see you as a big mother cat (bare with me). Therefore, their behaviors are similar to when they were kittens. As kittens grooming and licking were a natural part of family life. Therefore, these are the reasons why they will lick you in this way.

Other reasons a cat may jump on you when you are sleeping.

This is because the chances are your cat is trying to get your attention. This is mainly seen when cats, especially if they are indoor cats, get a little bit bored and need some attention.

The easy way around this is to give them a lot of attention just before you go to bed (click here to see why your cat sleeps under your bed) so that it doesn’t happen at an inconvenient time for you.

Therefore you could engage them in some games with some toys for example. Or, offer them some treats (what about Nerds? click here). After you’ve played some games with them they feel fulfilled at the end of the day. This will reduce the chances of her disturbing you while you’re trying to get your beauty sleep.

Is It Possible For A Cat To Be Obsessed With Their Owner?

Cats don’t become obsessed with their owners per se, but they are known to develop strong bonds with their humans. Furthermore, some cats will bond with one human more than another. As a result, your cat will want to be around you constantly, taking care of you, cuddling with you, and helping you around the house.

Why Does My Cat Bug Me When I’m Trying To Brush My Teeth?

Your cat might just simply be fascinated by what you’re doing in the morning, trying to understand your routine and be involved in it in some way. Your cat could also think they’re helping you by being in the same room as you when you brush your teeth.

It’s also possible your cat has learned that you go to feed them breakfast after brushing your teeth, so they might be in your face because they’re excited for what’s about to come.

Should You Punish Your Cat For Getting In Your Face?

Your cat should never be punished, especially not for getting in your face. Punishment can put a wedge between you and your cat. When your cat is getting in your face, even if it’s distracting, they are doing so because they love and trust you, and want to care for you.

Cats need much more affirmation and attention than they are given credit for, and they trust you implicitly to provide that for them. If you’re apt to punish them for exhibiting bonding behavior with you, all of that trust is going to diminish.

Is It Bad If My Cat Licks My Face?

There’s nothing bad about letting your cat like your face. Cats are very clean creatures, and part of the reason they’re so clean is because of their tongue. While it might take getting used to, you won’t get sick or catch anything by letting your cat give you kisses on your face.

When your cat licks your face, it’s to groom or soothe you. Cats are big protectors and caretakers and see it as their duty to take care of you similarly to how they would care for kittens.

Why Does My Cat Touch My Face With His Nose?

A cats nose and mouth up close.

Cats will either sniff your face or gently poke you with their nose as a way to greet you and get to know you. This is a behavior often shared between cats, and since you’re family to your cat, they want to show you the same type of affection.

The same is true when they bring their nose up to your nose. Cats do this with each other to gather information through their sense of smell. If your cat is willing to get that up close and personal with you, consider it a sign that you have their complete trust.

Do Cats Recognize Their Owner’s Face?

Cats can learn their owner’s face and come to recognize it. Studies have even found that some cats will be able to recognize their owner’s face when shown a photo. We can see a clear indication of how our cat sees who we are when we make eye contact with them and they give us that loving slow blink.

There are a few ways cats learn to recognize their owners that don’t rely on sight alone. Part of a cat’s way to come to know your face is to smell it, which is one of the many reasons they’ll put their face right into ours and sniff around.

Cats also come to learn their owner’s voice, which is why talking to your cat is very important. Don’t be surprised if your cat greets you with a meow when they see your face or hear your voice; after all, cats developed their meowing ability specifically to interact with their humans.

Why Do Cats Lay In Your Face At Night?

Your face and head are one part of your body that doesn’t shift around much at night. Since your cat is likely to want to rest alongside you at night, any sudden movement is going to startle them. Your face also radiates warmth, which your cat wants to use so they can conserve their own for waking hours.

Cats have an instinct to avoid falling into a deep sleep when they are potentially unsafe. They will crave being as close to you as they can be because they know you’ll both keep each other safe. Since your face is warm and is less likely to move around at night, they see lying in your face as the safest place to be.

Why Does My Cat Get So Close To My Face?

Cats are used to communicating with other cats by getting up close and personal with each other. Your cat sees you as family and as someone to protect, so they’re likely to get in your face to groom you, soothe you, or lay their claim on you as their “cat” or their family member.

Your face also has its pheromones that your cat craves. Since they have such a keen sense of smell, they’ll learn to associate you with your scent and the sense of serenity and safety it represents.

If your cat has a propensity to get close to your face while you’re sleeping, they are trying to sniff you out to make sure you’re okay. Cats have an innate ability to read our pheromones to gain an understanding of our condition.

Why Is My Cat Obsessed With My Face? (Avoid This Mistake…)