Why does my cat headbutt me? (and what cat bunting really means)

Your cat has just headbutted you for the third time this week, and you’re left wondering what’s going on!

First: be reassured that you’re not alone; headbutting – aka bunting – is actually a common cat behaviour, though it’s rarely talked about in the same way as kneading (‘making cat cookies’) or other feline pastimes.

Let’s discuss what cat headbutting - or cat bunting - is below.

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What’s cat headbutting (or cat bunting)?

When a cat headbutts you – gently but firmly bumping their head against you – it’s actually called ‘bunting’ and ‘allorubbing’.

The cat usually follows the headbutt by rubbing the side of their face and body along you, just as they rub against a table or chair, or your legs when you are preparing their meal.

Bunting is how cats leave their scent behind. The face has several glands that secrete pheromones – notably, around the cat’s mouth, chin and cheeks, and between the eyes and ears.

When a cat bunts, the pheromones are transferred onto you. By rubbing their scent on you, your cat is marking you as part of their family.

Humans cannot detect these pheromones. But scent plays an important role in feline life. Every individual cat has a unique chemical identity.

Cats can identify another cat’s sex, age, fertility and health status by scent alone. Being surrounded by their own pheromones helps a cat feel secure and bonded to their family and home.

If you have other cats, all their scents will be mingled together to create a unique scent of your family. The cats will feel safe, surrounded by the familiar smell of home.

This is why scent exchange is such an important part of introducing a new cat. Once the cat has the family scent profile, it will be accepted more readily by the other cats in the home.

There are other glands around the tail and between the paw pads. This is why cats enjoy scratching in prominent positions in the home.

It’s not just a way of sharpening their claws and removing the dead outer husk of nail; it’s also a way of depositing their scent and making them feel safe and homely.

Is cat headbutting the same as bunting?

Yes, headbutting is the same as bunting. People also refer to it as headbumping, headbonking and headbopping. It all refers to the same behaviour: where a cat bumps their head against you.

Bunting is distinct from nuzzling, where a cat snuggles its face in for a softer, slower head rub. It’s also different to head pressing, which is a serious medical concern.

Do all cats headbutt?

Most do, but some don’t. It depends on your cat’s personality. Once a cat is settled in a home and has bonded with the family, bunting usually comes quite naturally, especially with confident, demonstrative cats that like to be petted.

But some cats like to show affection in other ways, such as kneading, staring and giving slow blinks.

Why doesn’t my cat headbutt me?

Don’t take it personally! Some cats are just more demonstrative than others – just as some people are. Some humans are natural huggers, and some cats are enthusiastic bunters, whereas others might show their affection in other ways.

Maybe your cat is an avid kneader instead, making ‘cat cookies’ at every opportunity. Or perhaps they give you ‘cat kisses’ with endearing slow blinks. Maybe they show their love and trust by choosing to settle next to you or to nap on your lap.

Certainly, more reserved characters bunt less; perhaps they lack the confidence to spread their scent, compared to more outgoing, secure cats.

But if your cat is ordinarily very affectionate and has always bunted but now doesn’t, consider why there’s been a behaviour change.

Good questions to ask are:

• Has something altered in the cat’s routine or environment that is causing a loss of confidence or contentment?

• Are they being bullied by a new cat in the neighbourhood?

• Are there any other signs that the cat is not happy or is unwell?

Always seek prompt veterinary advice if you are concerned for your cat’s well-being or health.

Why does my cat headbutt me? The real reasons

It’s a sign of affection

Yes, bunting is a bonding behaviour. Cats bunt those they feel safe with, whom they consider part of their social group or family. Consider it the feline equivalent of a hug and a kiss.

It's usually accompanied by other clear signs that the cat is content, such as purring, slow blinks and kneading.

They’re marking their territory

Cats bunt to spread their pheromones and create a colony scent (eau de colony!), marking you as part of their safe social group. It isn’t a dominant, aggressive action; the cat isn’t spraying urine on you to mark you as their territory. Rather, it’s a social, affectionate way of saying, ‘You’re one of us’.

Spreading the colony scent and topping it up via bunting helps the cat to feel more secure, surrounded by the familiar scent of home.

Do cats headbutt other cats?

Yes, bunting between cats is part of their social bonding, where they exchange pheromones to create a family signature scent.

It’s a sign of trust and acceptance, like allogrooming and is lovely to see in a multi-cat household, as it’s a clear signal of a happy home. You might even see your cat trying to do it to your dog, who is likely to be rather bewildered about what’s going on!

More confident cats tend to bunt more than those who are less self-assured, and the more a cat does it, the more confident they can become, as they are spreading and topping up the scent that helps them to feel safe and content.

When is headbutting a cause for concern?

Head pressing

Bunting is a brief bump and release, with a happy cat that has relaxed, content body language. With head pressing, it’s immediately clear that something is wrong. Head pressing happens when:

• The cat will continuously press their head against a hard surface (such as a wall or door).

• The cat will appear distressed and disoriented.

• There could be a loss of balance and coordination.

• Their body language will be that of an unhappy cat that is in pain or confusion.

Head pressing is a serious neurological warning sign and requires immediate veterinary attention. It's the cat’s attempt to relieve pain and is associated with head injuries, brain tumours, hypertension and toxicity, which are veterinary emergencies.

When should I take my cat to the vet because of headbutting?

If the behaviour more closely resembles head pressing, rather than the momentary headbump of bunting, you should seek immediate veterinary attention.

If your cat is displaying any signs of distress, such as loss of coordination, pacing, seizures, vision loss, pain and disorientation, an emergency vet visit is required.

If you notice that your cat has suddenly stopped headbutting, it's worth getting them checked over by a vet, as it could indicate stress, pain or illness. Any change of appearance or behaviour warrants further investigation.

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Common questions about cat headbutting

Why does my cat keep headbutting me?

It’s a cat’s way of giving affection and showing that you are part of their family. They bunt to mark their pheromones against their home and loved ones, to surround themselves with the scent they associate with safety and contentment.

It’s also a great way of getting your attention. Bunting against you, or your phone, is hard to ignore – and so the cat is rewarded with some strokes and attention, and quickly learns that it’s a winning strategy!

Is my cat headbutting me a sign of love?

Yes! It’s a great sign of love, trust and acceptance. The cat is marking you as theirs – think of it as a little kiss or fist bump.

Why does my cat headbutt my face?

Cats bunt where they can reach. If you are standing up, they will bunt against your legs. If you are sitting down, they can bunt your face or a phone or a book in your hand.

A face bunt is quite special, as close face-to-face contact can be quite threatening to a cat. Even staring at a cat from a distance is considered hostile. So a close bunt to your face is a lovely gesture, showing the cat feels completely safe and comfortable with you.

Why does my cat headbutt me and then bite me?

The cat is being loving but becomes overstimulated and reacts by biting. Stop stroking them and leave them to calm down and regulate.

They have just become overexcited, which has triggered their natural hunting behaviours. It’s similar to how children can get overstimulated and switch from play to a tantrum or scrap in a split-second.

Why does my cat headbutt my hand?

The cat will headbutt any part of you that they can access, but hands are especially good, as they can be nudged into action! Who can resist reacting to a bunt by stroking a cat and giving a chin rub?

Why does my cat headbutt me at night?

To get some attention and love! If you’ve been out at work during the day, the cat might want more petting to make up for your earlier absence, and your family scent will also need topping up, which some bunting will remedy.

If you’re asleep, they might think you need an alarm call for breakfast. Cats are most active at dusk and dawn, which is when they seem to think we need to be up too!

Why does my cat headbutt me and then walk away?

Is the cat walking away to the food bowl? Or the door? If so, they are probably getting your attention and want you to follow.

Or it could be that the cat bunts you briefly but then loses interest or changes their mind and doesn’t want your attention any more.

If they return to bunt you again and lead you to the food cupboard, you’ll soon know which is the likely answer.

Can I train my cat to headbutt on cue?

Yes, you could, but why would you? It’s like training your partner to hug you and tell you they love you. Surely, it’s best if the behaviour is genuine and happens naturally and unprompted; it loses its meaning if it’s done on request.

That said, there is a small degree of training involved. The cat keeps bunting because they’ve learned that it’s rewarding to do so: it results in a stroke and the scent exchange, which helps them to feel happy and secure. It's the same as positive reinforcement training.

It's also an effective way of getting your attention if they are feeling ignored, or that you’ve forgotten that it’s time to feed them…

Why does my cat headbutt me when I come home?

The cat is welcoming you home. They may have missed you and are pleased to see you back. They probably also want some attention (and food!) and want to anoint you with the scent of home, which will need topping up after your time away.

Why does my cat headbutt me when I’m busy?

Your cat wants to attract your attention and has learnt that headbutting you works! Who can resist a cute little headbutt?

Even if we’re busy working on a laptop or responding to messages on a phone, we can easily be distracted by a cat that is clearly being affectionate and wanting us to stroke them – or to follow them to the food bowl for a top-up!

Cats, like many animals, repeat behaviour that is rewarding. Headbunting is usually rewarded with attention and a cuddle – and so our smart pets realise it’s a winning strategy!

Where do cats like to be stroked after headbutting?

Stroking your cat around the chin and cheeks, and from the forehead down to the base of the tail, is generally enjoyed. It’s no coincidence that these are the very areas that have scent glands.

By stroking your cat in these places, you will be spreading the pheromones across the cat’s body, onto yourself, and your scent will also be mingling with the cat’s.

Of course, all cats are different. Some really adore a chin rub, whereas others might prefer a gentle stroking on the top of the head.

Read your cat’s body language to understand their personal preferences. If they're relaxed and happy, continue. If they move away, stop and let them be.