3. They Engage in Scent-Marking (Bunting and Leaning)

Animals rely heavily on scent to understand their world, and they use it to claim the individuals and spaces they value most. If your cat constantly rubs their cheeks, forehead, or chin against your hands, legs, or face, they are engaging in a behavior called “bunting.”

Cats possess specialized scent glands on their heads. The Humane Society of Tampa Bay points out that by rubbing against you, a cat is depositing their unique pheromones onto your skin and clothing. They are essentially labeling you as a safe, trusted member of their personal family group. Interrupting this behavior can confuse a cat; allowing them to complete their scent-marking ritual soothes them and reinforces your bond.

Dogs engage in a similar tactile behavior by leaning their full body weight against your legs. When your dog presses heavily against your shins while you stand in the kitchen or sit on the couch, they are seeking physical reassurance and leaving their scent on you. Supporting their physical weight is a vulnerable position for a dog, and choosing to do it against your legs requires absolute trust.