Domestic cats display a range of social and affectionate behavior toward each other. Contrary to popular belief, even when living outdoors, cats are not aloof loners. They often have quite strong and bonded relationships with other cats. Among the behaviors cats engage in to maintain relationships is mutual grooming, rubbing, playing, and napping close by each other. Touching noses is another behavior that cat friends do with each other and they do this to greet each other.
Cats do not touch noses with just any other cat, although it may occasionally be seen when two exceptionally outgoing and friendly cats first meet and decide they get along. However, nose touching is usually reserved for the closest companions. Just as we prefer certain people over others, cats prefer certain cats and they reserved nose-touching for these most important feline friends.
Particularly close cat buddies will not only gently touch noses but may rub their heads together, similar to how your cat nuzzles your face and rubs its head on you.
Does Gender Play a Role in Nose Touching?
Whether or not a cat touches noses with another cat has nothing to do with gender. A male cat is just as likely to touch noses with another male as with another female, and vice versa.
Touching Noses With Their Human
Yes, your cat may touch your nose for the same reason he or she touches noses with another cat. Your cat doesn’t think you are a big cat, but it does think you are part of its family or preferred group. Your cat uses nose touching to greet you and show affection just like it would any friend, cat or human. And when a cat rubs on your or weaves it’s body around your ankles, it’s doing the same kind of thing is would do with a close cat friend.
When your cat rubs it’s body against you or arches its back toward your hand, it is displaying what cat-behavior experts call “distance-reducing behavior.” So, when your feline buddy does this, he or she probably wouldn’t mind a nose touch! When you accept your cat’s way of showing affection and return it, you are speaking its language and increasing the bond you share. It’s a vary positive and rewarding way of behaving. 1The Welfare of Cats. Germany, Springer Netherlands, 2005.2Waters, Jo. The Wild Side of Pet Cats. United States, Raintree, 2005.3Richards, James. ASPCA Complete Guide to Cats: Everything You Need to Know About Choosing and Caring for Your Pet. United Kingdom, Chronicle Books, 1999.
