As we all know, cats have many different ways they show their affection; their “kitty love-language”, if you will. From purring, to kneading, and yes, even territory marking, there are several ways that Mr. Jellybelly likes to show his love for you. While you may or may not be familiar with these signs of fondness, you may be wondering if cats understand ours. For instance, do cats know what a hug is, and do they like getting one?

Predatory Nature

Interestingly, cats use a method of hunting that somewhat resembles a hug while attacking and subduing their prey. Sort of like… well, like a murder hug. Cute, right? You know when you’re petting your cat’s tum tum and all of a sudden she decides, “it’s slaughter time”, and wraps her little needle paws around your arm, scratching your forearm vigorously with her hind legs? That’s the Murder Hug in action. Adorable.

But, gauze pads and Neosporin aside, it does make sense when you think about it. Activating The Murder Hug ensures that your kitty’s unlucky prey won’t wiggle away (hence the death grip). Kittens will also often “hug” each other in this way in order to hone their hunting skills for when they’re old enough to catch prey themselves. Play fighting is an important developmental tool for kittens, and learning the murder hug is essential to a cat’s survival outside of domestic life. However, when it comes to your interaction with your kitty, do make sure you’re not encouraging bad habits. Teaching your baby that play aggression is not okay to employ on humans is also an important part of your little guy’s development as well. Yes, for them it’s all fun and games, but for you it might mean stitches. Setting boundaries as early as you can will make sure both you and your fuzzball are living in purr-fect harmony.

Just Hug It Out

However, this infamous kitty death grip is not the only kind of embrace that exists in a cat’s hug vocabulary. Cats have been observed to utilize hugs with a little more tenderness to them, and a little less butchery. For instance, mommy cats are known to hug and snuggle their baby kittens  affectionately, to keep them safe and calm. Bonded cats also express their attachment by hugging each other as well. Zero lacerations, 100% cuteness. This is all well and good (and just, UGH, too dang PRECIOUS), but do cats like giving and receiving hugs from their human companions?

What Is Love?

“Baby don’t huuuuuuuuuurt meeee.” Nah, but really, when it comes to endearment, cats do have an understanding of human sentiments. Whether they tolerate them or not, well, that of course depends on the cat. Just like humans, all cats have different ways of showing affection, and different preferences for the types of affection they receive. Just because one kitty friend is adverse to getting their little noggin smooched, doesn’t mean that all cats necessarily feel that way, and vice versa. And when it comes to hugs? Well, as it turns out, the same rules apply.

Some cats absolutely adore having their humans pick them up and snuggle them, whether it be for simple affinity or a need for security. (Yes, cats do need security sometimes! For instance, my Marzipan hugs and clings to me whenever we’re at the vet, because she’s a big ol’ scaredy cat who needs reassurance that she’s not going to just die after her routine exam.) Other cats… well, they might be less than thrilled. Like I said, it all depends on the cat.

In addition to all of this, we can’t forget that cats are highly intelligent creatures, and a lot of their behavior is a reflection of that. Cats are able to observe human interactions and associate certain sounds and actions with affection. They are also masters of manipulation – in other words, they know how to elicit the types of affection they want to experience. Most of the time, this includes whining. A lot. If your baby likes hugs – whether it be giving or receiving – trust me, you’ll know it.

So, does your cat whine to be picked up and go limp in your arms? Does he seem unaffected by your doting? Or does he downright detest being held? Well, no matter what his reaction is, it’s pretty certain that either way, he does know exactly what’s going on. Your cat definitely knows what a hug is, but if he likes it or not? Well, that depends on him!