Your cat puts its butt in your face for a reason, and three feline experts break it down. (Hint: You're going to count yourself lucky!)
There’s a lot to love about your cat, from that tiny pink nose to those adorable tufts of fluff sprouting from its ears. But if you’ve ever leaned in for a cuddle only to have your furry friend spin around and present its backside, you’ve probably wondered, Why do cats put their butt in your face?
“It’s really kind of comical,” says Jennifer Hawkins, DVM, executive director of the Southern California Veterinary Medical Association. “I think most of us know it’s not intended to be an insult, but it does seem a little rude.”
While it may feel a little gross, veterinarians and feline behaviorists assure us this quirky move has surprisingly sweet meanings. To find out what that is, we turned to Dr. Hawkins, veterinarian Amy Tate, DVM, and certified cat behaviorist Pam Johnson-Bennett. They point to several fascinating reasons your cat flashes its rear end, from social bonding to instinctive habits carried over from kittenhood. Read on for everything the experts want you to know about this cat behavior—and whether there’s a way to get your cat to stop doing it.
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Why do cats put their butt in your face?
There are a few reasons why your cat puts its backside in your face—and all of them indicate a strong bond between you and your furry friend. In fact, the behavior has more to do with feline communication than humanlike awkwardness.
So yes, it’s actually a positive thing when your cat sticks its butt in your face! Here’s what it means:
Your cat really likes you
It may seem off-putting, but when a cat puts its butt in your face, it’s a sign that your pet likes you. A lot.
“Humans have some people we greet with a handshake and others we greet with a hug,” says Dr. Hawkins. “This is a cat’s way of greeting you with a hug. It’s a warm greeting, like: ‘Here’s my backside—here’s who I am.’ And they don’t do it with everybody. Cats only do it with their special people.”
Your cat trusts you
When a cat puts its butt in your face, it’s leaving a vulnerable area of its body exposed, says Dr. Tate, the co-owner of Riverview Animal Clinic in Birmingham, Alabama. In short, it means your cat trusts you implicitly.
“To turn their body in a way that is trusting and friendly is a sign your cat has accepted you into their social group,” she explains. “You should consider it high praise.”
Your cat wants attention
Aside from professing love and trust, your cat is likely also looking for a little petting or some food. “Cats are smart,” says Dr. Hawkins. “They know we’re not cats, so they don’t expect us to respond like a cat would and put our nose in there, but they are looking for some love and attention in return.”
It’s not just the most affectionate cat breeds that exhibit this behavior either.
It’s just what cats do among friends
When your cat presents its rear end to you, it’s often a warm, social greeting—just like two cats would do nose-to-nose and then “round-and-sniff.” This “butt presentation” is polite cat etiquette, saying, “Hello, I accept you.” It’s rooted in feline communication via scent and social bonding.
“Cats that have a friendly relationship will often greet each other with nose-to-nose sniffing and then a round of anal sniffing,” says Johnson-Bennett, the author of Think Like a Cat. “When your cat walks up to you and presents their rear end, it’s a friendly gesture and an invitation. Of course, your cat will understand if you don’t want to follow [suit].”
Is there an evolutionary reason for this behavior?
It’s a well-established cat fact that butt-sniffing is common in the feline world because cats use scent as a major form of communication. “Cats engage in sniffing to gather information about each other,” says Johnson-Bennett. Presenting their butts to another cat is also a way they show they are not a threat.
Why do cats stick their butt in your face to communicate? As they do with other cats, they’re just showing their favorite human that they’re not threatening.
Some experts think it may have something to do with the way very young kittens present their backsides to their mothers for cleaning. “When they’re brand-new babies, they don’t defecate on their own,” says Dr. Hawkins. “They have to get their bottom cleaned by their mother, so that is sort of a nurturing behavior that the mother does with the kittens. It could be part of what triggers this behavior, part of an affection that they show to each other.”
What does this behavior mean for your relationship with your cat?
If your cat regularly puts its butt in your face, you should consider it proof that the bond between you and your cat is strong. “It may seem insulting that kitty chooses to put their back end toward you, but it’s actually a compliment,” says Johnson-Bennett. “It means the cat feels comfortable and safe. This is a positive sign indicating a strong bond.” Chances are, it also means your cat is happy in that moment.
What should you do when your cat does this?
“You should be flattered!” says Dr. Hawkins. “When it happens, a lot of us kinda smile, like, Uh, OK. But it’s a warm greeting, and I would respond with a little scratch to the base of their tail or petting them along their spine.” It’s the perfect way to acknowledge the kitty honor and to give them a little affection in the process.
How can you get a cat to stop putting their butt in your face?
Of course, even cat lovers might not actually want to be looking at a cat’s butt all day. So how do you get a cat to stop putting its butt in your face? Well, a cat’s going to do what a cat’s going to do, but there are a few things you can do to train your cat and minimize the behavior.
Head them off at the turn
Essentially, you’ll just want to interrupt the positioning before the cat has completely turned its back on you. “When your cat starts to turn around, you can just start petting,” says Johnson-Bennett. “It will let the kitty know you have received the gesture and appreciate it. Don’t push them away, because that will create confusion and could damage the bond you share.”
Redirect their attention
Find something else to do together that you both enjoy. “Move to engaging your cat in play or petting/grooming activities,” says Dr. Tate. “Food can be the wrong reward at this time because we mistake the meowing that comes with this behavior as hunger cues when it is really a need for social interaction.”
Ignore it
Remember, one answer to the question “Why do cats stick their butt in your face?” is that they’re looking for attention. So don’t give it to them.
“If you give them attention, you are encouraging the behavior,” says Dr. Hawkins, “so if it’s something that really annoys you, ignore it. Have you ever hugged somebody who didn’t hug back? It’s sorta awkward. But cats don’t get offended too terribly. They might just choose you a little less often.”
Besides, now that you know the real reason cats put their butt in your face, you might not mind it quite as much.
FAQs
Why do cats stick their butt in your face when they want attention?
If your cat isn’t getting the reaction it wants with subtle cues (like rubbing or purring), it may escalate to “butt in your face” because it’s hard to ignore. It’s a reliable way to force attention, scratches or petting.
Is it safe or hygienic when a cat puts its butt in your face?
While the gesture is affectionate and positive, the area around a cat’s rear can harbor bacteria or parasites. Most of the time, a cat keeps itself clean, but it’s wise to gently reposition your kitty or wash your face and hands afterward. Also, if you notice excessive licking, scooting or strange odors, it might signal a health issue worth bringing up to your vet.
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Sources:
- Jennifer Hawkins, DVM, executive director of the Southern California Veterinary Medical Association
- Pam Johnson-Bennett, certified cat behaviorist and the owner of Cat Behavior Associates
- Amy Tate, DVM, co-owner of Riverview Animal Clinic in Birmingham, Alabama
