How to know if your dog or cat loves you, according to a vet
By Katrina Warren|
We all want to think that our pets love us just as much as we love them.
While we can't exactly compare our pet's emotions to our own, we can definitely observe how they act around us, to know if they enjoy being our friends.
There are some key behaviours your pet will show if they like you. Of course, they vary depending on if it's a cat or a dog.
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Greeting you when you get home
If your dog or cat regularly rushes to the door to greet you when you come home, that is a clear sign they like you.
For dogs, it's common to see them excited with their tail wagging like mad, while cats might come over and butt their head on your legs, which is a way for them to rub their scent on you and welcome you into their world.?
Sleeping on your bed, or curling up near you
Another sign of affection for cats and dogs is if they regularly come to curl up next to you when you're watching TV, or if they like to have a snooze on your bed.
These are signs your pets want to be near you, and feel comfortable to relax around you, and consider you an important part of their world.
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Your dog responds when they hear your name
Many dogs respond to their owner's name when they hear it and get excited, even if their owner isn't present.
Cats kneading you with their paws
A sign of affection from cats is kneading you with their paws, as this appears to be soothing and relaxing. It can also be another way for them to mark their scent on you.
A cat will often purr while kneading its paws, and it's not uncommon to find them curled up and ready to sleep shortly after.
Cats exposing their bellies
A cat's belly is a rare sight, so if your cat feels comfortable to roll over and expose its belly to you, they trust you and are comfortable. It's best to look but not pat though, as most cats don't tend to like being touched there.
Don't fret if your pets don't show these signs!
Just like humans, not all pets are the same. Shy or unsocialised animals are less likely to show such obvious signs of affection to their owners, which is probably something you've already picked up on if your pet is like this.
If you have an anxious or reclusive pet, they can definitely still love and adore being around you while still presenting with behaviours that might seem the opposite.
The answer to this problem is that it's probably just how they are.
However, it is important to respect your pet's boundaries, and never force them to do anything that they obviously don't want to do.
If they are showing stressed behaviours, such as bowing their heads or avoiding being close to you, you must notice and respect those stressed behaviours by leaving them be.
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