Most cats play with just about anything for some amusement, but why does hair make your cat’s list of toys? Well, your hair is a great way for your cat to be close to you and get some enrichment while they are at it! These reasons likely will not stop you from swatting your cat’s paws but may help you answer why your cat is playing with your hair.
1. Your Cat is Being Playful
Just like nearly any object that a cat can find in your house, your hair may just be another available toy. When your cat is feeling playful and wants to be around you, your hair is simply one of the best things that they can play with. Plus, your hair is most accessible while you are either sitting or lying down; this means your cat can play along the back of the couch or on the bed while they are pulling at your hair.
Even though your cat is having fun, do be careful to make sure your cat is not eating your hair. Like cords, strings, and wires, your cat can get your hair twisted in their intestines if your cat ingests them.
2. You Are Getting Groomed
You can groom your cat as a way to bond, but your cat can groom you too! Cats are very hygienic, so you will not be surprised to hear that your cat is grooming you too when they are playing with your hair. No, your cat does not think you are dirty and need to be cleaned! Cats clean each other as a way to bond when they are close to each other. Mother cats groom kittens, and cats that are friendly with each other clean each other. Being cleaned by your cat means that you are part of the pack now!
3. Your Cat is Showing Affection
Much like how you are getting groomed, playing with hair is a sign of affection. Your cat gets to be very close to you when they are playing with your hair. As many of us know, many cats do not always show outward affection. Hair playing is yet another way that your cat can show you that you are indeed one of their favorite people.
Licking you also helps your cat release endorphins. Grooming you really does make your cat feel good!
4. Your Cat Likes The Feeling
Now, this reason is not the most interesting reason that you will hear as to why your cat is playing with your hair. Simply put, your cat may simply enjoy the feeling. Think about it: your hair has a much different texture than what they are used to. Individual strands of hair and your hair is usually thick. It is not a feeling that they get from any of their toys.
In addition, cat whiskers contain nerves, so your cat can also feel what they are doing with their whiskers. Your hair is a different sensory experience for them, which they may fully enjoy. There are few items outside of their cat beds or soft blankets that your cat can nuzzle into.
5. Your Hair Smells Like You
Your hair smells like you! It is likely that your cat loves you and, therefore, nuzzling your hair is just another way that they can get to smell you. Cats are very sensitive to smell and identify each other by smell. You, like other cats and people, have a unique smell.
For some cats, they might also like the fruity or musty smell of your shampoo. These scents are new scent profiles for most cats, so it is something that they find new and interesting, and not a usual smell.
6. You Are Being Marked by Your Cat
Rubbing up against your hair is one way that your cat can mark you. Cats have scent glands on their cheeks, so they are essentially marking you when they are rubbing their head and cheeks against you. You are likely more familiar with your cat rubbing their head and body against your legs while you are walking.
You will not be able to smell your cat on you though. Other cats and animals will be able to, however!
7. Your Cat Feels Secure with You
Your cat is comfortable enough to be that close to you, which means that your cat feels secure with you. As mentioned, you are going to be sitting or lying down when your cat is playing with your hair, which means that your cat will also be sitting or lying down with you.
Cats are able to get up quickly and run of course, but this kind of bonding means that your cat is letting their guard down to be around you.
8. It is a Sign Of Stress or Anxiety
While most of the reasons your cat is playing with your hair are positive, there are some negative reasons too, like stress or anxiety. A stressed cat could be excessively grooming both you and themselves. Other behaviors that you might see in tandem with excessive grooming is tearing up the furniture, fighting with other cats, or refusing to use the litter box.
Stress and anxiety come in different forms outside of excessive grooming, like changes in environment, neurological disorders, and poor socialization if they are in a house with new animals.
