What does puffing as in a human on friendly terms with cat exhaling breath into the face mean?

The phrase "puffing as in a human on friendly terms with a cat exhaling breath into the face" refers to a social behavior between humans and cats. Here's what it typically means:

Friendly Greeting:

- When a human and a cat have a friendly bond, the human may gently blow air onto the cat's face as a form of affectionate greeting. This act imitates a cat's natural way of greeting and showing closeness by rubbing their heads against each other.

Social Bonding:

- The human's breath acts as a social signal that communicates friendship and trust. Cats have highly sensitive noses, so the human's breath carries information about their identity, emotions, and social intentions.

Relaxing Effect:

- Puffing on the cat's face can be soothing for both parties. It is not uncommon for cats to engage in this behavior among themselves, rubbing their faces together to share scents and create a sense of comfort and unity within their social group.

Facial Pheromones:

- As the human breathes onto the cat's face, they may also be transferring subtle facial pheromones that can further enhance the social bond between them.

This behavior signifies warmth, affection, and a friendly relationship between humans and cats. It should not be confused with aggressive or dominant posturing or hissing, which involve different body language cues and expressions.