Why Do Cats Rub Their Face On Corners?

Imagine, you are sitting in your cozy living room, watching your cat approach the corner of the bookshelf. With determination and grace, it leans in, presses its face against the wood, and rubs it back and forth.

You may have seen this behavior hundreds of times. But have you ever wondered why? Generally, cats do this to mark their territory, communicate, show affection, stress relief, get attention, or look for a mate.

Let’s discuss these reasons in detail right below:

Reasons Why Cats Rub Their Faces on Things

1. Marking Territory

The main reason your cat is rubbing its face on objects is to mark its territory. It possesses scent glands in its facial area, particularly around its cheeks, chin, and forehead. When it rubs against objects, it leaves a trail of its unique scent– a way of claiming ownership and establishing its personal space.

It is one of the natural instincts of cats, inherited from its wild ancestors. Wild cats establish and defend their territory in the same way. Even after being domesticated, housecats retained this instinct.

If you have multiple cats, you might notice one cat rubbing its face on various corners, pieces of furniture, door frames, or even your legs to establish its presence in the shared space.

2. Communication

Another significant reason for your cat to stroke its face is to communicate with other cats and humans. It is a form of non-verbal communication conveying a range of emotions and intentions.

When your kitty is doing this with you or other cats, it expresses its intention to build a friendship or create a bond. It is almost like saying, “You’re a part of my inner circle.”

You may have seen your cat initiate or participate in a gentle face rub. It’s their own secret handshake. 

3. Showing Affection and Comfort

Cats find comfort in the familiar. When they are rubbing their face on the corners, or your hand, it is almost like wrapping themselves in a cozy blanket of scent.

You may have seen this communicating behavior often when your cat feels relaxed and content. Sometimes it may be seeking reassurance of its safety. Whatever the reason is, it helps them feel more at ease in their environment.

For example, your cat curls up on your lap, purring contentedly, and then leans in for a face rub. This is equivalent to humans saying, “I feel safe here.”

4. Stress of Anxious Relief

As a sensitive creature, cats often become stressed or anxious. Once it feels these emotions, it turns to self-soothing behaviors like rubbing their faces.

You may see this behavior if you have changed your house or redecorated your home. Also, a newly adopted kitten will rub its face wherever and whenever to get familiar with the new environment. 

5. To Get Your Attention

All and every cat owner agrees that cats are masters of manipulation. Sometimes, when your cat is rubbing its face in your legs or licking you, it is like saying, “Hey, Human, I need attention. Give it to me, now!”

They’ve learned that this charming gesture often leads to a response from their human companions. This interaction can be being petted, fed, or played with. That is why your cat may often come and sit on top of your laptop while you are working.

6. Looking for a Mate

If your pet cat has not been spayed or neutered, face rubbing may also be a part of their mating ritual. Cats utilize their scent to attract potential mates. It is almost like their feline “Tinder.”

In such cases, cats will do several activities to spread their scent. They will pee outside their litter and won’t cover their poop, so their scent is spread everywhere.

Final Words

In summary, cats rub their faces on corners and other objects for a variety of reasons—territory, communication, affection, stress relief, attention-seeking, and even love. Understanding these behaviors makes your bond with your kitten deeper and stronger.

So, keep notes of your cat’s face-rubbing behavior to help it better with its emotional needs. Have you noticed any other reasons for your cat to pat its face? Let us know.