Why Does My Cat Headbutt Me? NZ Guide to Head Bunting

The quick answer: when your cat presses or bumps their head against you — known as head bunting — it's a friendly, affectionate behaviour. Cats have scent glands on their face and head, so bunting deposits their scent on you, marking you as part of their trusted "group". It's one of the clearest signs your cat feels safe and bonded with you.

What head bunting means

• Scent-marking / claiming you — facial glands transfer their scent onto you, blending you into their familiar world.
• Affection and trust — cats bunt people, other friendly cats, and favourite objects.
• Greeting and bonding — often a hello when you sit down or come home.
• Seeking attention — sometimes a polite "pat me, please".

It's a compliment — your cat is telling you they're comfortable. Pair it with other relaxed signals like kneading and slow blinks to read your cat's contented baseline.

Bunting vs rubbing vs pushing

• Bunting — a deliberate head bump or press; affectionate.
• Cheek/body rubbing — same scent-marking idea, along furniture and your legs.
• Hard, repeated head-pressing against walls or floors — this is *different* and not affection; see below.

Use the Cat Behaviour Decoder to combine the signals.

How to respond

• Gentle attention or a calm pat is a fine reply if your cat enjoys it.
• Don't force it — let the cat initiate.
• If you have multiple cats, bunting between them is a good sign of a settled group; isolation or hiding may signal the opposite, see do cats get lonely NZ.

When to take note (this is important)

Head bunting is friendly. "Head pressing" is not. If your cat compulsively presses the top of their head hard against a wall, floor or furniture, appears disoriented, or this starts suddenly, that is a recognised sign of a possible neurological or medical problem — see a vet promptly. Don't confuse a loving bump with persistent head-pressing.

Quick takeaways

• Headbutting (bunting) = scent-marking, affection and trust — a good sign.
• Cats bunt to claim you as "their" trusted group.
• Respond with calm attention; let the cat initiate.
• Compulsive head-pressing against surfaces is different → see a vet promptly.

Shop related categories at PetMall

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Related reading

• Why Do Cats Knead NZ
• Do Cats Get Lonely NZ
• Cat Behaviour Decoder
• Cat breeds in NZ

References

• SPCA New Zealand, cat behaviour, checked 2026-06-05: https://www.spca.nz/advice-and-welfare/
• Companion Animals New Zealand, cat care, checked 2026-06-05: https://www.companionanimals.nz/

Important notice

*General behaviour information for NZ owners. Persistent head-pressing (not affectionate bunting) or sudden behaviour changes can signal a medical problem — see a registered NZ vet promptly.*