sometimes described as “marking,” but that word can make it sound like a cat is claiming ownership. In everyday social interactions, rubbing is often better understood as a way of creating familiarity. Your scent and your cat’s scent mingle, making you part of an environment that feels known and comfortable.
That may explain why a cat rubs against familiar people, furniture, doorways, or favorite resting spots. The behavior helps maintain a sensory landscape that the cat recognizes. It is one small way of making home feel like home.
