Cats Who Are Deeply Bonded With Their Humans Usually Do 5 Subtly Sweet Things

A U.K.-based clinical animal behaviorist, Amanda Campion, says cats can show affection in subtle ways that owners often miss. In a recent video, Campion, who runs KittySitty and has spent more than 30 years working with animals—especially cats—shared five signs of close bonding. She points to slow blinking as a trust-and-affection cue, encouraging people to blink slowly back. She also describes head-butting as scent exchange to mark you as “theirs.” Other behaviors include bringing “gifts” such as toys or even dead insects or birds, and sleeping near or with their humans—though the article cuts off mid-explanation of the final sign.