greeting you, sharing familiar scent, asking for attention, or reassuring itself after a change. Often, more than one of these explanations may fit. The gesture is not a precise translation of a human emotion, but it is a meaningful part of how cats interact with the people and places they know.
Pay attention to the setting and your cat’s body language, then respond with patience. A gentle rub may be your cat’s way of saying that you belong in its familiar world—and that it feels comfortable enough to come close.
