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Is there a better way to show your cat you love them than by giving them a big smooch? But is it bad to kiss your cat? There are actually a few ways to show affection that may be better for you and your cat than kissing.
It can be bad to kiss your cat because it can lead to illness, confusion, and defensiveness. It is better to show your cat affection in a way they understand. It is important to show your cat affection in a way that makes them comfortable and minimizes any health risks from their saliva.
Though we have all kissed a few furry friends in our lives, there are risks to kissing a cat. I want to talk to you about the dangers of kissing your cat, how they feel about it, and better ways to show them affection.
If you wonder what the best products are for your cat, check out this article that will break down all my recommendations for you: Things To Buy For A Cat Right Now!
Can you Kiss your Cat on the Head?
Kissing your cat on the head is not bad if they don’t mind it. However, if your cat does not like forehead kisses, respecting their personal space and showing affection in a different way is best.
A few ways you can show affection to your cat include:
- Blinking slowly: One of the most common ways cats offer love to their owners is by blinking slowly. Cats understand what this means when you return the gesture, so try this first if you want to show affection to your cat.
- Groom her: Cats show affection to other cats by grooming each other. If you take the time to groom your furry friend, she will understand this as affection. You don’t need to lick them, but petting and combing their fur is a close equivalent.
- Let him nuzzle you: Cats often show their owners appreciation by nuzzling them or rubbing on them. Letting your cat do this is one way to return the affection.
- Give them space:Though cats can be very affectionate, sometimes they want their space. If your cat shows signs of aggression or isn’t paying much attention to you, it is best to let them do their own thing.
Can You Kiss Your Cat on the Mouth?
You should not kiss your cat on the mouth. Kissing your cat on the mouth can be dangerous because of the bacteria in your cat’s mouth. The cat may also feel threatened if you get too close to their face.
Cats can carry a variety of diseases that can be harmful to humans. These include common bacteria, ringworm, cat scratch fever, and even parasites. To help keep yourself and your cat healthy, you should avoid kissing your cat on the mouth.
It is also essential to ensure that your cat is updated on all their vaccinations and keep regular visits to the vet.
Does My Cat Know Why I Kiss Her?
Your cat most likely does not know why you kiss her. Your cat can tell that a kiss is an affectionate gesture if you do this regularly and have since they were a kitten. Cats don’t show affection in the same way humans do.
Though you may think kissing your cat is a great way to show her you love her, she may not understand it that way.
How Does My Cat Show Me Affection?
Cats show affection in a variety of ways:
- Purring
- Nuzzling
- Blinking slowly
- Following you around the house
- Rubbing on your legs
- Raising their tail
- Putting their ears up
If your cat shows any of these signs when you kiss them, they most likely don’t mind the gesture. They may even try to “kiss” you back, though they see this as grooming and may lick your face or your nose.
Is Cat Saliva Harmful to Humans?
Cat saliva can be harmful to humans who are very young, elderly, or those who are immunocompromised. This is because their saliva can contain bacteria and parasites. However, the majority of people are at low risk of developing an illness from their cat’s saliva.
I mentioned that cats could carry bacteria and even parasites in their mouths. So an occasional cat lick won’t make most people sick. However, it is important to keep yourself and your cat healthy.
It is also essential to be careful around the young, elderly, and people with compromised immune systems. In addition, cat saliva can be unhealthy to different human risk groups, so it is best not to ingest cat saliva.
Do Cats Like Kisses on the Head?
Some cats like kisses on their head and recognize this as a sign of affection from their owners. But other cats do not like head kisses and may act defensive or upset. Therefore, it is important to pay attention to how your cat reacts to head kisses.
When cats feel uncomfortable or defensive, they may back away from you, hiss, or even swat at you with their paw.
If you notice any of these behaviors when you kiss your cat on the head, you should back away and give your cat some space. I’d also recommend not kissing them on the forehead if they don’t like it.
Is it Weird to Kiss your Cat?
It is not weird to kiss your cat. However, it can be unsanitary and can make your cat uncomfortable, so it is best to show your cat affection in other ways. It is common for people to kiss their pet cats to show them love and affection.
Even though kissing your cat isn’t “weird,” it can lead to illness and can make your cat feel uncomfortable if they aren’t used to that type of affection.
Most Affectionate Cats
If you like to kiss your cat, getting an inherently affectionate cat breed would be a good idea. The following is a list of the most loving cats:
- Abyssinian: Abyssinian cats are brilliant and people-oriented. They enjoy being around their owners and are very loyal.
- American Shorthair: American shorthairs have a sweet personality and are great with children and other pets.
- Birman: The Birman cat is incredibly sweet-natured, loving, friendly, and is an excellent choice for families and homes with other pets.
- Bombay: Bombay cats are an intelligent breed. They can be leash trained, love playing fetch and make affectionate companions for the entire family.
- Burmese: Burmese cats are very affectionate and often follow their owners around the house. They will also play fetch and games with other toys.
- Maine Coon: Maine Coon Cats are gentle and friendly. They are often called “Gentle Giants.”
- Ragdoll: Ragdoll cats are laid back and bred to be affectionate. They also tend to show more interest in humans than other cat breeds.
- Siamese: Siamese cats are very vocal and love to be with their owners. They are the definition of a “lap cat” and are often affectionate to the entire family.
- Tonkinese: The Tonkinese cat is a great companion. They are naturally curious, playful, loving, and fun-loving.
Final Thoughts
We love to show our furry friends how much we love them. But kissing them may not be the best way to show that love and affection. Pets can carry bacteria and diseases, so it is best to avoid kissing them for health reasons.
Cats may also feel uncomfortable if you invade their personal space.
It is best to show your kitty some love by speaking their language. Blinking slowly, petting them, and letting them nuzzle you on their own time are the best ways to show your cat affection.
If you enjoyed this article, please check out a few more:
- Do American Shorthair Cats Like To Cuddle? (See Why): Click Here.
- Are Female Cats Friendly: Click Here.
- Are Cats Hard To Litter Train (The Dirty Truth): Click Here.
Here are some of my favorite cat products
In addition to checking out some other More Meows articles, I hope you’ll check out some of my favorite cat products as well. These are affiliate links, so if you end up using them, I’ll get a commission at no extra cost to you. These are the products I really do find most helpful.
Litter Box: I started out with normal, traditional litter boxes for my cat. Then, I tried this automatic litter box on Amazon (affiliate link), which helped reduce the litter upkeep. Finally, I am now a believer in the Litter-Robot 3 Connect on Amazon (affiliate link). This robotic litter box is not for everyone based on the price tag, but for me the benefits (very little upkeep, works efficiently, clean, mobile app) far outweighed the cost.
Cat Tree: I have purchased a couple of this Amazon Basics Cat Tree on Amazon (affiliate link). My cat spends a lot of time on and around this cat tree, which I position near my sofa. She uses the scratching posts on this cat tree multiple times a day, which means she is not scratching the sofa instead.
Cat Water Fountain: I love this cat water fountain on Amazon (affiliate link). There are three main benefits to having a water fountain like this for your cat. The first benefit is that it keeps water running so that your cat doesn’t need to drink still water. The second benefit is that it filters the water. The third benefit is that it will keep your cat hydrated!
