Cats are famous for being aloof and not responding to even their most loyal loved ones in an obvious, affectionate way. But research shows that our cats do recognize and care for their owners. Their love language is just different than ours!

Once you become attuned to how cats show their love, you may enjoy their companionship even more. Every day you’ll probably notice small ways that your kitty shows you they care.

1. They greet you when you walk into the door, maybe with a bit of excitement. They might rub against your legs, meow, or jump up on furniture so they can get close to you. All of this means they’re happy to see you.

2. They make cute sounds around you like purring, chirping, trilling, and little high-pitched meows. Cats have a whole lot of different vocalizations, which all mean different things, but it’s a pretty safe bet that these are happy sounds.

3. They knead or make biscuits on or near you as they’re preparing to lay down. This is often accompanied by purring and possibly closed eyes. They only knead on humans they like and trust.

4. They head butt you… with love, of course. This is also called, “bunting” and refers to when cats rub their head on you. They may also rub their tales on you. Cats have scent glands on the sides of their face and near the base of their tales. So basically they’re marking you as their territory, which you should take as a high compliment.

5. Their tale is straight up when they’re around you. While dogs wag their tales as a sign of happiness, we should look for cats to have their tales straight up to show us they’re comfortable. In fact, a cat’s swinging tale can often be a sign that they’re unhappy.

6. They lick you the way they might like a cat friend. While their little tongue may feel rough, keep in mind that they’re lovingly grooming you to bond.

7. They sleep on or near you. You probably knew this one already, but it’s worth mentioning that a cat who chooses to sleep on or near you loves and trusts you. They’re very vulnerable while sleeping, so they’ll only do this near a person who makes them feel safe.

8. They stare at you and blink slowly. Some people may get unnerved by a cat’s steady gaze, but rest assured that it’s a good sign as long as it’s not accompanied by hisses, growls, flattened ears or other aggressive body language.

9. They give you lots of leeway and allow you to pet them, handle them or carry them in ways that cats may not usually allow. If your cat lets you carry them like a baby, trim their nails or put your face in their belly, for example, it’s true love.

10. They bring you presents to show their love. If your cat ventures outside and brings back something they’ve hunted, consider it a sign of adoration that they’re sharing.

When adopting a new cat or meeting a new feline friend, it’s important to be patient with them as they get to know you. They will usually want to observe you before deciding if they like and trust you, which we think is pretty wise. But as they warm up, keep an eye out for these signs to see when they’ve accepted you.