Why Do Cats Put Their Paws On Your Face? | Pawsome Kitty

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Why Do Cats Put Their Paws On Your Face?

Most cat parents often ask why do cats put their paws on your face. The most likely answers for this are signs of affection and need for attention.  You may be sleeping, and your cat gets on your bed and paws your face.

Naturally, it shows that the cat recognizes you as its owner and is waking you up to give it some attention. Attention may be in the form of feeding or some few minutes of play. Pawing your face happens whether you have an adult cat or a kitten. As such, it is essential to learn more reasons why your cat approaches you and paws your face.

Considering that cats have complex emotions, it is necessary for you, the cat parent to learn what your cat means when she or he paws your face. Different types of pawing portray different messages. They include the following

Contents

  • Different types of pawing
    • Paw strokes 
    • Paw blows
    • Nagging paws
    • Paw marking
  • Stop your cat from biting 
    • Find reasons why her biting is happening so often
  • Keeping your cat’s paws clean 
    • Bottom Line

Different types of pawing

Paw strokes 

A cat parent will realize that the cat pet is happy and content as she may touch your face lightly with one or two paws. In addition, your cat will live the paws there while gently stroking you. This conveys a feeling of love for you, its owner. Therefore, why do cats put their paws on your face, this is one of the sentiments she conveys. It is quite similar to when your cat gives you a headbutt. You will also notice that your cat purr as she strokes your face and her ears straighten up during the affection act. A high-pitched gurgling sound is also a part of the paw strokes.

Paw blows

Paw blows happen when your cat needs reassurance. In this case, your cat will not just put their paws on your face; they will strike you with their paws. When this happens, it shows nervousness and agitation. Your cat’s ears will twitch and move backward. You should reassure your cat before she pulls out her claws. She may be hungry or afraid of being in an unfamiliar environment. You are familiar with her, and only you can reassure your cat to calm down.

Nagging paws

 This move is base on impatience. You may not have fed your cat at the scheduled time. Therefore, nagging paws show that she needs your attention to tend to her needs. Cats are very jealous and selfish animals. Thus, when she bites your nose or nags you with her paws, she is seeking your attention. She will not stop until you attend to her needs.

Paw marking

The scent glands of a cat are in their paws. Therefore, when your lovely furball decides that you are what she considers her friend and owners she will do some paw marking which will enable her to scent the right person to sleep with or be around. As mentioned earlier, cats have complex emotions, when she chooses a person as she marks her territory. As such, when you want to find out why your feline friend needs your company compared to anybody else company, it is because she has marked her territory through paw marking. Therefore, she will choose to sleep with you or be around you but not your spouse. That is marking their territory. She has your scent on her paws and does not need any other smell next to them after paw marking. Therefore, will not want to be around anybody else around when she needs your only company.

All these points to the fact that your cat does indeed love you and needs your affection and attention. However, you do need to protect yourself, as your cat is just innocent when she does so. For instance, when they bite you often, you need to find a way to protect against biting.

Stop your cat from biting 

Ensure that you learn some tips such as the use of toys and treats to prevent bites. In addition, getting a playmate for your cat reduces their obsession from your attention as they have a playmate to avert their attention.

Find reasons why her biting is happening so often

It could have moved from attention to issues such as being insecure. You may have moved to a new environment. When you reach the point that surpasses why do cats put their paws on your face? Then you need to find out what is causing their insecurity and triggering aggression. 

If you are not sure, visit your trusted vet and get the right consultation to ensure that they can help with right information. Your vets will advise you to use toys and other things to avert your fur ball from coming into contact with your face while aggressive.

It is best to ensure that you gain information on whether your cat is in pain. Consider physical changes such as dilapidated eyes, bloodshot eyes, changes in body shape, a cat portrays using their eyes. You can tell a lot about the emotions of a cat using their eyes. All these changes may be the reasons why your cat is acting aggressively towards you and no more extended paws you in a friendly manner on your face but wants to scratch your eyes out.

Keeping your cat’s paws clean 

However, if you need to ensure that you are safe as your cat pet paws your face, you do need to consider their paw hygiene. How do you do so and ensure that after a day out, they will not infect you with something as they paw away?

She may decide to wake you up in the morning or seek your attention while you are resting on the couch. Here are a few ways to do so efficiently ensure that your cat’s paws remain clean always and you are safe when she decides to put her paws on your face.

  • Your cat’s paw needs massage: This will ensure that she is comfortable as you handle her feet frequently. Massage her after a meal so that she can be less indignant of your touch.
  • Trim the paw nails: Do this every ten days. To ensure your cat does not react, you may gently restrain. This will prevent her from scratching you when she paws you in aggression.
  • Find a scratching post: If you have an excellent scratching post, it will trip your cat’s nails naturally.
  • Wipe the cat’s paws: A damp cloth is an efficient way to manage wiping away any dirt on a daily basis.  
  • Examine the paws: Ensure that there are no abnormalities in the cat’s paws. Swelling, scratches, cuts, or splinters. If you allow your cat to go outdoors, it is crucial to prevent any injuries as they paw on your face. 
  • Minor injuries: Use antiseptic and mild soap if there are injuries apparent. Use tweezers to remove any foreign object from the paws.
  • During winter: In case you salt your driveway and allow your cat outside, it could get sick by licking too much sodium off its feet. Therefore, always moisturize, cut claws short, and keep the hairs around the paws short during winter.
  • During summer: keep your cat away from the hot surfaces. Transition your cat to indoor stays at extreme temperature.

Bottom Line

By following the above solutions, you are assured that if your cat loves to paw your face to show emotion, you will be safe from getting any infections that the cat dragged in from outside. Regardless, an indoor cat needs the same attention.

Therefore, ensure that you keep your cat clean enough to reciprocate the affection they have as they seek your attention by pawing on your face.

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About me – Rebecca Welters

Yes, I am that weird cat lady with 200 cats and live in the darkest corner of the city where no one dares to go! Joking! But I am a cat lover and have 2 Taby cats called Toby, he’s 8 years old and Dory, she’s 3 years old.

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