What does it mean when a cat rubs you back and forth? Some people say that the cat at home sometimes ignores you, and sometimes hugs your thigh and rubs you back and forth. So does this back and forth rubbing mean coquettishness?

A cat’s territory refers to a space that can ensure its food and safety, and at the same time, it is also a place where it can feel at ease. Because you know the terrain and roads well, you can move freely. However, this level of peace of mind is not the same everywhere in the territory. The most reassuring place for your cat's home is the center of your territory. As they move away from the central area, their level of security gradually decreases. As they move toward the edge of their territory, their level of security becomes even lower. The outside of their territory becomes a very uneasy place for them. Therefore, cats will not leave their territory easily unless there is an emergency.

Cats will emit their own scent to the surroundings when they feel at ease, and this must be done by rubbing against things. Because when you smell your own scent, you will feel at ease. Once you feel at ease, you will rub against people and things, and so on.

Cats have odor-emitting glands on their cheeks, under their chin, and at the back of their heads. Scratching those areas will release your own scent. And these areas are prone to itching. When you are nervous, you forget to itch, but once you relax, you feel the itch and want to scratch it. Moreover, in order to "tick" these parts, rub it to the side, and your own smell will come out. The more you feel at ease in the center of the territory, the more you want to grab things, so the center becomes an increasingly safe place.

The same is true for domestic cats. When they are relaxed, they will rub against things. Of course, it will be something close to them. It can be the corners of cabinets, the legs of chairs, the sides of wastepaper baskets, or people. Rubbing someone feels like scratching an itch, so when I saw the cat looking at ease and relaxed, I wanted to scratch it.

So, comrades, when you tickle your cats, you are actually being sworn in as territorial sovereignty!