CAT BURIES HEAD IN MY HAND! 8 REASONS FOR IT
My cat buries his head in my hand from time to time. What does it mean? Maybe while petting your cat, he decided to bury his head in your hand, or he had done it when you came close to him or while touching his head. Whatever are the circumstances, why cats do that?
Cats may bury their heads in a hand because they want to show affection, they want affection and want their owner to pet them, they want to mark territory, they need a sense of security, they are comfortable, they are looking for a warm place, or they try to greet you.
Let’s see all the specifics.
CAT BURIES HEAD IN MY HAND – WHY IS THAT?
The most common experience is when I am petting my cat, especially rubbing his nose and head, that he decided to bury his head entirely in my hand. He does this also when he is sleepy, and if I start petting him under his chin or over his head, he would bury his head in my hand and continue sleeping.
Indeed cats have to fully trust you to put their entire head into your hands. It is an excellent sign of trust and love from your cat. It also seems that on top of their nose and head, there is a susceptible spot, that when someone rubs it, they want more and more of it.
Cat buries head in my hand? Here are the most common reasons:
- WANTS YOU TO PET HIM MORE
It can be the main reason cats buries their head in your hand. They are in search of more scratches and want you to pet them more. If you have ever tried to pet your cat on his nose and the middle of his eyes, he may like it so much that he would push his head against your hands.
Just rub up and down on his nose until the middle of his head. It is a magic spot to rub when cats are in the mood. Your cat may push his head against your hand to ask you to pet him more on his head. Often he may start purring. Cats may like it so much that they will begin to sleep with their head in your hand. It is an experience to have.
- SHOW AFFECTION
Your cat wants to show you that he loves you. If he searches for your hand and buries his head in it, you are his favorite person. Cats that lower their defenses and give you access to such a sensitive body part show their complete trust and love. You can see cats doing similar things with other cats. They place their head on other cats only if they are trusting each other.
- SENSE OF SECURITY
Cats may feel protected if they put their heads in your hand. If they are kittens, they may try to replicate the warmth or security of mama cat. They know you are a safe place to go to and that you will protect them. Often they come on you or near you and place their head in your hand and relax.
- THEY ARE AFRAID
It is not very common, but some cats can hide their head in your hand if they become scared of something or someone. They seek your protection, or they try, in their illogic way, to become invisible. They do not realize that even if they hide their heads, people can still see the rest of their bodies. It is typical of cats to pretend to be invisible, hiding behind a thin pole.
- YOU ARE THEIR PROPERTY
Cats have scent glands on their face, and they happily like to mark you as their property to make sure they are the only ones who can claim your attention. Yes! In cat’s eyes, you are their property, not the other way around! Therefore they give your hand a good rub with their faces. Lucky you!
- THEY ARE HAPPY TO SEE YOU
Sometimes cats come close to you, and if you extend your hand, they will rub their faces on your hand in a sign of happiness. They are happy to see you, and they are saying hello. If they go on, this happiness and rubbing turn into burying the full head into your hand.
- THEY LIKE THE WARMTH
Cats may like the warmth in your hand. They enjoy burying their head in your hand to stay warm, covering their nose. Cats’ noses and ears can get cold in winter, and cats may decide to use your hand as a blanket.
- THEY ARE COMFORTABLE
Cats may feel comfy burying their head in your hands. Your hands can be the perfect pillow, in combination with the rest of the perks: warmth, security, cuddles, and affection. Let’s say it is a pillow that provides many advantages.
- IT BLOCKS LIGHT
Cats can bury their head in your hand to block the light, covering their eyes with your hand so that they can sleep better and feel more protected from outside movements. It is like an ostrich hiding his head on the ground.
Here some ideas of cats toys to entertain your cat
Table could not be displayed.CAT SLEEP WITH HEAD IN MY HAND
Some variation of cats burying their heads in your hand are cats that sleep with their head in your hand. Maybe you started to pet your cat, and he buries his head in your hand, and then he starts sleeping in it, or he came to look for your hand and placed his head in it and start sleeping. Can be many circumstances leading to this event.
Cats like to do this with someone they trust; they want to use the human hand as a pillow, hoping that you will give them some good scratches.
Cats like to be petted under their chin. They can often come to you and search for your hand to be scratched; after a while, they become smart about it, and they know you pet them with your hand.
Some cats are obsessed with armpits. They will try to bury their head in your armpit or over your arm and sleep with your arm as a pillow. Not all cats do it, but those who do are quite obsessed with it and will try to sleep with you in this way. Therefore, you have to make room for them or… else!
WHY DOES MY CAT BURY HIS FACE IN MY ARMPIT?
What does it mean when your cat buries his head in your armpit instead of your hand? Or he does it with both? You may find your cat sniffing your armpit, burying his head in your armpit, sleeping in your armpit, and sometimes licking your armpit.
Well, if cats bury their head in your armpit, it is because of all the points listed above: affection, security, comfort, wanting scratches, warmth, placing their scent, and some other reasons.
Cats like armpit smell. Your armpit contains sweat, which seems to be one of the things cats like. They like the smell of it, and sometimes they like the taste too.
Your sweat contains salt and other elements that attract cats. Cats may start to sniff and lick there. Or they think you smell too strongly and will try to cover that smell with their scent.
WHY DOES MY CAT BURY HIS FACE IN MY NECK?
Well, if your cat trusts you, then your cat can alternate your hand, your armpit, and your next as a sleeping place or place to bury his head. To be near your face and be in contact with your neck requires a cat to have a great bond with you.
The reasons are similar for cats burying their head in your hand. When cats bury their heads in your neck, they want to feel secure, warm, affection and want to mark you with their scent.
Cats like the comfort of sleeping there, and if they are kittens, they may think you are their mom, and usually, that would be how they sleep with their mom.
Cats are brilliant, even though they do silly things most of the time. They know that they will get your attention if they stand on your face or near it. In this way, they are sure to get your scratches and cuddles. They may also want you to stand up and do something for them.
RELATED QUESTIONS
Here some related questions and answers:
- What causes head pressing in cats?
Head pressing is the phenomenon of a cat pressing his head against objects for no apparent reason. It is a sign of illness. A cat doing it may have neurological problems, metabolic disorders, tumors, infections, etc.
If you see your cat pressing his head against walls and other objects, know that a visit to the vet is in order.
- Why do cats sleep with their face down?
Cats may sleep with their face down to feel more secure and protected when they sleep. It can also be that they were so tired that they just started to sleep in that way. Sleeping with their head down, cats can block light and cover better their nose. In fact, they may feel cold on the top of their nose.