Have you ever wondered why your cat seems to love rubbing on beards so much? Maybe your cat can’t fall asleep without a good cuddle-sesh with your scruff. Or maybe you just can’t seem to tear your cat off of your beard for more than a few seconds. Believe it or not, there are quite a few reasons for this seemingly-weird behavior. Keep reading to find out why cats like beards so much, and how you can learn to see this peculiarity as a bonding opportunity with your fur baby.
Common Cat Behaviors Around Beards
You may already be well-versed in your kitty’s strange beard habits. However, if you’re not, let’s go over some of the most common ways cats interact with their humans’ beards.
- Rubbing on your beard: Rubbing on and trying to snuggle your beard is one way cats interact with beards. They might constantly rub their heads back and forth on your beard while purring.
- Chewing or biting your beard: This one might seem extra odd to you, especially if you aren’t expecting your cat to chew or bite your beard. But don’t worry…your kitty isn’t abnormal. It’s common in the cat universe!
- Licking your beard: Just like chewing or biting, it might seem a little strange that your cat enjoys licking your beard so much. I mean, it can’t taste that good… right?
- Kneading your beard: Ever heard of cats making biscuits? This phrase originated due to the kneading motion cats often do with their paws that mimics them kneading dough. Cats will sometimes do this with beards too!
So Why Do Cats Like Beards? Let’s Break It Down…
Given the various ways cats interact with their owners’ beards, it’s no question that they fancy them. There are quite a few reasons why cats are so attracted to beards. So let’s dive right in and review the most common reasons why!
1. Beards Remind Them of Fur
Duh! Beards can be soft, fluffy, or even scratchy! It’s no wonder why cats treat beards the same way they treat their own fur, or the fur of their furry friends…by grooming them!
Cats are constantly grooming themselves throughout the day. They do this to regulate body temperature, prevent hairballs, keep their coat clean, and for so many other reasons. They also groom other cats they are close with as a way of bonding and as a display of affection or friendship. It stands to reason, then, that your kitty loves you very much if you find them grooming your beard often!
2. Beards Smell and Taste Good
Say what? Yeah, cats love the way beards smell and taste. After all, they usually smell and taste like, well…you! And your kitty loves you! Beards might also smell or taste like shampoo or aftershave, which cats may also find pleasant. Don’t be surprised when your cat starts munching down on your beard because they can’t resist the taste! (Side note…please don’t let your cat eat shampoo or aftershave.)
3. Beards Provide Warmth
If your kitty is cold or just wants an extra little bit of warmth as they drift off to sleep, they may turn to your beard for warmth. Think of your beard as the blanket you reach for whenever you are a little chilly. Your beard is your fur baby’s blanket!
4. Cats Mark Their Territory on Beards
You know how cats can’t seem to resist rubbing up on every single thing they walk by? This is due to their inherent nature that influences them to mark their territory by transferring their scent to objects and/or people. For instance, if you live in a multi-cat household, you may notice this frequently. This is because your cats may be ensuring they mark their scent on an object so that your other cats know it’s theirs.
So if your kitty cat is rubbing up on your beard frequently, you can consider yourself marked!
5. Your Cat Is Lonely or Wants Attention
If you find that your cat is frequently showing other signs of loneliness or boredom, such as destructive behavior, excessive grooming, or overeating, your cat’s fixation on your beard may be related. Try to make some more time for your kitty if this is the case. Also remember that cats require at least 30 minutes of play or exercise a day and even more if they are a young kitten!
What Does Science Have to Say?
You may be wondering if research has ever been done on the topic of cats’ attraction to beards. Believe it or not, research actually shows that cats tend to be wary and less-trusting of men with long beards.
But why?
Didn’t we just get done talking about how much cats love beards? Well, yes, we did. However, this doesn’t mean that cats are immediately going to take to strange men with beards. It just means they love their own humans’ beards.
According to a study done by a group of researchers and published by Improbable Research, cats were not fond of pictures of men with long, dark beards. Interestingly, they were indifferent to pictures of men with short beards. Why that is, research just doesn’t have a conclusive answer for yet. But it sure is interesting, and seems counterintuitive to cats’ love for their owners’ beards!
What can I say? Cats are strange.
In Conclusion…
If you were concerned about your kitty’s obsession with your beard, hopefully this article made you feel a little better about your cat’s motivations. They most likely just really love you and want to show their affection for you. In rare cases, it may be a sign your cat is bored, and if that’s the case, there are steps you can take to fix that.
Happy bearding to you and your kitty!
Did you find this article helpful? Let me know in the comments!
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