(Isn't "nuzzling" a great word? >''< )
The following is an excerpt from "The Social Cat", one of the Q&A columns in the April 2005 issue of Cat Fancy magazine::
Question: My... cat... is very affectionate, loves to be held and is especially fond of nuzzling your neck while hanging her front paws over your shoulder and purring... Our vet said it might be a sign of contentment or affection... Why does she do this?Answer: Cats often nuzzle each other and make small sounds that resemble soft bursts of expelled air. When cats nuzzle us, they exhibit the same behaviors, but we often fail to nuzzle them back.
"We" do? Who does?! Not I!
The response continues:
Experiment with different types of nuzzling and make soft noises back to your cat....I think we're in good shape, here, and the furkids agree. We play featherbird. We play chase and "catch and tumble" and "can't see me". We wrestle. We play "Gopher Under the Covers" and "Bear in the Hollow Tree".Behavior research at the University of Bristol in England has shown that people who mimic their cats' play behaviors have better relationships with their cats and have mores social and outgoing cats.
And most especially, we spend lots of time snuggling and nuzzling and murmuring sweet nothings at each other.
Purrs and headbutts to you and yours.
Nuzzling - posted by Vicki at Fri, 01 Apr, 22:02 Pacific
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