Tell-tail signs they love you
MOTHER’S Day is the perfect time to show your mum just how much she means to you – and pet parents deserve some recognition too.
After all, they feed our furry friends, care for them and shower them with love every day.
Star Paws columnist Catherine Lamb shares how to tell if your furry friend sees you as a mother figure, and gives her top present ideas for pet mums.
So if you have ever wondered if your four-legged friend sees you in a maternal light? Here experts from Animal Friends Pet Insurance share the tell-tale signs that your pet totally trusts you.
Canine Companions
Dogs are masters of unconditional love, but do you ever wonder what they do to show they care? Animal wellbeing specialist Catrin George says to look out for the following…
1. Shadowing you: If your dog wants to be by your side constantly then it’s a sign that you make them feel happy, secure and safe.
2. Leaning on you: Dogs like to be physically close to their pack members so by cuddling up, they are saying you’re one of them and their protector. It’s a sign your furry friend is comfortable with you and wants you to pay them attention.
3. Showing you their belly:
A dog’s tummy is their most vulnerable side so rolling over to show you theirs is the ultimate sign of submission. It means your pooch trusts you.
4. Sleeping next to you: Dogs are vulnerable when dozing in the wild so they are inherently alert to threats in their environment when taking a nap. If your pooch dozes next to you, it’s a sure-fire sign they love you completely.
5. Bringing you their favourite toy: By gifting you their most prized possession, your pup is letting you know that they adore you as their pet parent.
Feline Friends
While they’re known for being aloof, moggies do show affection. Cat psychologist Layla Beakhouse says these are the ways pusses tell you they love you…
1. Head-butts and kneading: Cats have scent glands all over their body. These affectionate behaviours help them share their scent. They are a cat’s way of marking you as one of their own.
2. Bringing you gifts: While a dead mouse in your kitchen may not be your idea of a present, it is one of the highest forms of affection from a cat. It stems from their desire to feed their loved ones.
3. Licking you: Cats will do this to their kittens to groom them and show care. When your feline friend licks you, they’re trying to communicate their affection and form a deeper bond.
4. Sleeping on you: Our feline friends are natural hunters in the wild so feel vulnerable when snoozing. If they choose to sleep with you, it’s a tell-tale sign that your pet trusts you.
5. Slow blinks: A subtle way that cats show affection is through the secret language of blinking. When moggies feel content and happy, they will do a slow blink.