Cats are peculiar creatures. Even their die-hard fans admit they tend to have a cold-and-hot nature. Some felines are open books who love cuddles and basically everyone they meet. But they are the exception. Most cat owners are tasked with trying to understand their finicky behavior. However, learning feline body language can make it easier to train and bond with these adorable pets. And no behavior can be more confusing than the rubbing up or “bunting”.

It can take time to earn a cat’s trust. Depending on the situation, it could take months or even years to build a faithful bond. Therefore, there’s no true feline behavior dictionary; small details differ depending on the individuals involved. However, feline instincts tend to lead them to act similarly when they show affection, fear, aggression, confusion, etc. It’s up to every owner to figure out their pet’s unique cues.

One strange cat behavior is rubbing up on humans and other animals. Most of the time, it’s a positive sign, but it’s often more than that. Felines have scent glands around their faces, heads, and base of their tails. These glands hold pheromones, which are wiped onto their surroundings. So when they rub or headbutt people or items, cats are marking their territory with their pheromones.