Your cat rubs her cheeks against your legs or the furniture. Or she gently bumps her head against your face. What’s that about?
The behavior is called bunting, and it has a lot to do with scent. Cats have scent glands around their faces, specifically on their chins, sides, ears, and neck. So when they leave a scent mark by bunting, they may be leaving a sign for other animals (even if you don’t have any) that the territory is occupied.
Cats may also bunt when they are feeling anxious. Depositing their own scent on furniture and other things makes their surroundings seem more familiar to them.
Finally, bunting can just be a cat’s way of showing affection. “I love you. We’re in this together. Let’s smell the same together.”
