Why Does My Cat Put Her Paws on My Face?

All cats have individual "personalities" and behave differently. Some owners report that their cat tends to press their face with one or both front paws. Circumstances vary, but some owners say it happens when they pick up their cat and try to cuddle; others tell of their cat approaching while they sleep, pressing its paws on the owner's mouth and face.

  1. Affectionate Pawing

    • Some cats periodically approach a relaxed owner and stretch out their paws to softly touch the owner's face. The cat repeats this gentle reaching in hopes that the owner will pet it, brush it or show some affection. Alternatively, some cats paw their owner's face to wake them from sleep; in this case the cat probably wants affection or play.

    Pressured Pawing

    • Another form of pawing occurs when an owner picks up the cat to cuddle but the cat raises one or both paws and presses them to the owner's cheek. The cat applies gentle but firm pressure against the cheek and turns its head away. If this is how your cat puts its paws on your face, it may be avoiding affection at that time.

    Kneading

    • Kneading is another type of behavior common in cats that may be the reason for a cat pressing its paws on your face. Kneading is related to affectionate behavior because your cat is practicing an instinctive ritual it learned as a kitten, which is to paw at its mother's breast to receive milk. It's a sign of affection, but the cat's claws might be uncomfortable for you to experience.

    Body Language

    • Learning to read your cat's body language will help you respect its feelings and provide what it's asking for. If the cat is purring, rubbing up against you or acting playful before it paws your face, it probably wants affection. However, if the cat has been avoiding you or sleeping and you pick it up for a cuddle when it presses on your face, the cat might really be saying "leave me alone."