Unlike dogs, cats don't greet their owners with wagging tails and sloppy kisses, but that doesn't mean they don't have genuine affection for their human companions.
貓咪不會像狗狗一樣向主人搖尾巴或用舌頭舔主人，但這并不代表它們對人類伙伴沒有感情。

Cats simply express their affection in more subtle ways, and all you need is a basic understanding of feline behavior and body language to see all the little ways your kitty says, “I love you.”
貓咪只會通過更隱晦的方式來表達它們的情感。你只要對它們的行為和肢體語言有基本了解，就會發現它們表達“我愛你”的種種方式。

1. Head bumps and leg rubs
貼臉蹭腿

Cats have scent glands concentrated on certain parts of their bodies, including their cheeks and heads. When your kitty rubs her head or face against you, she’s marking you with her scent and claiming you as part of her family group. This scent is a source of both comfort and familiarity for your kitty.
在貓咪的腦袋、臉頰等部位集中分布著一些氣味腺。當貓咪用頭和臉蹭你的時候，其實它是在用身體氣味在你身上做標記，認定你是它的家庭成員。這種氣味是讓貓咪感到舒適和熟悉的來源。

2. Grooming sessions
梳理毛毛

Grooming is another way that cats spread their scent to mark territory. If you have multiple cats, you may have seen them grooming each other, a social practice cats use to establish a common scent among the family group. By sharing a scent, your feline friend is creating a sense of belonging.
梳理毛發是貓咪傳播氣味、標記領地的另一種方式。如果你養了好幾只貓，你可能看見過它們互相梳理毛發，貓咪們通過這樣的“社會實踐”獲得家族專屬氣味。通過分享氣味，你的貓咪朋友可以獲得歸屬感。

3. Slow blinks
緩慢眨眼

When your kitty looks at you and slowly closes his eyes, he’s showing that he’s content and comfortable around you. In fact, this slow-blinkingbehavior has even earned the nickname “kitty kisses.”
當你的貓咪看著你并慢慢閉上眼睛時，它在表示自己在你身邊很滿足，很舒適。事實上，這種緩慢眨眼的行為甚至有一個昵稱——“貓咪之吻”。

“The concept of closing their eyes to you in a slow way is not something that they would do,” says cat behaviorist Jackson Galaxy. “They’re letting you know that they are vulnerable to you.”
“貓咪通常情況下不會緩慢眨眼，”貓行為學家杰克森·蓋勒克西說。“它們之所以在你面前這樣做，是想讓你知道：在主人面前它們是多么脆弱。”

4. Exposing the belly
露出肚皮

Another way cats can show that vulnerability is by rolling over and exposing their bellies. This is a sure sign of trust and shows that your cat is comfortable around you.
貓咪表現脆弱的另一個方式是：翻滾身子，露出肚皮。這絕對是信任你的信號，也表明貓咪覺得在你身邊十分愜意。

5. Kneading
溫柔輕撫

When kitties knead your lap or a surface near you, it means they’re relaxed and content. As kittens, the behavior is used to stimulate a mother’s milk flow, but continuing the action into adulthood can express comfort.
當貓咪輕撫你的大腿或者你身邊某個物品的表面時，這意味著它很放松、滿足。對于幼貓來說，這種行為是用來刺激母親分泌乳汁的，但當貓咪長大，這種行為就變成表達舒適的方式了。

6. Kitty underfoot
喵影不離

If your feline friend follows you from room to room, jumps onto tables and counters to be near you and always seems to be right where your step, she clearly enjoys your company — especially if it’s not near feeding time.
如果你的貓咪朋友在家跟著你進進出出，跳上桌子靠近你，總是緊跟你的步伐，很明顯，她享受有你的陪伴——特別是在非喂食時間。

7. Tail position
翹起尾巴

How your cat holds her tail can tell you a lot about how she’s feeling. A tail held straight in the air is often used as a greeting, so you know your kitty is happy to see you. In fact, Dr. John Bradshaw, author of the book, "Cat Sense," says this is "probably the clearest way cats show their affection for us."
貓咪尾巴的不同狀態表明它的不同心情。直直地翹起來的尾巴通常表示歡迎，這時你就知道貓咪是樂于與你相見的。事實上，《貓的感覺》一書的作者約翰·布拉德肖表示，這“或許是貓咪向人類表達感情最直白的方式了。”

A tail held upright with a curve at the tip like a question mark also indicates familiarity, friendliness and affection.
尾巴翹起但尾巴稍兒略微彎曲（整個尾巴呈問號狀）也能表現出貓咪對你的親密、友好和喜愛。

8. Purring
咕嚕咕嚕

While a cat's purr isn't an always indication of love and happiness — cats also purr when they're scared or injured — a happy cat may express affection by purring when he's curled up in your lap or rubbing against your leg.
雖然貓咪的咕嚕咕嚕叫并不總代表愛慕和愉悅——貓咪也會在害怕和受傷的時候發出這樣的聲音——但通常情況下一只快樂的貓咪，會在蜷縮在你大腿上或者蹭你的腿時，發出咕嚕咕嚕的聲音，以此來表達對你的喜愛之情。

Vocabulary
grooming：修飾，美容
kneading：揉捏，按摩，推拿
underfoot：在腳下的；擋路的；礙事的
purr：（貓的）嗚嗚聲，咕嚕咕嚕

英文來源：mnn.com
譯者：Lucia0617
審校&編輯：杜娟