8 Ways To Tell If Your Cat Actually Likes You Or Just Tolerates You

8 Ways To Tell If Your Cat Actually Likes You Or Just Tolerates You

Getting a new cat is exciting, but it can also be really stressful.
Aside from getting your home ready for a new pet and adjusting your schedule to be sure you’ll always be there for them, you also have to worry about whether or not you and your are going to get along.
After all, you never know what could happen! Although pets generally love their owners, they can sometimes be so moody and predictable that it can be hard to get the right relationship going.
If you’re unsure about what cat behaviors mean your cat likes you, there are some signs you can look for that will give you an answer.
Cats might seem mysterious, but they’re pretty easy to read when you know what to look for.
They engage in specific behaviors when they feel comfortable around someone, and you can look out for those to see how they feel about you.
If you read through the below and come to the conclusion that you and your cat definitely aren’t vibing, there’s good news: you can always do things that will allow you to form a bond with your cat.
It doesn’t need to be a bad relationship forever! A little patience and effort could ensure that you and your cat become true besties.
Another thing to keep in mind is that your relationship may need some time to form into something special.
Cats generally need more time than dogs to get used to someone, as well as a new space. So don’t worry – all hope is not lost! Here are a few ways to tell that you and your cat are compatible:
1
They Knead When They’re Near You
Giphy
One surefire way to tell if your cat feels comfortable around you is if they knead when they’re near you.
When a cat kneads, they’ll use their claws to push in and out on a soft surface, like a blanket, or maybe even your lap.
Kneading is a sign that they feel relaxed and happy, and it’s a way that they say “I love you.” If your cat does this when they’re cuddling with you, they are definitely happy to be around you.
2
They Bring You Presents
Giphy
If your cat brings you “gifts,” that means that they love you a lot. If your cat goes outdoors, the gift could be a dead animal, like a bird or mouse.
If your cat stays indoors, it could be a little toy that they seem to carry around a lot in the mouths.
If your cat brings these little items to you and drops them by your feet, it’s their way of expressing their love.

3
They Like To Sleep In Your Bed
Giphy
It’s not surprising that cats love to sleep, and they always want to sleep somewhere comfortable and relaxing.
If that’s right next to you, that’s a really good sign. According to The Nest, cats show their love for you by sleeping with you.
They also share warmth and affection with other cats by cuddling and sleeping with them, so if they do the same with you, it’s a safe bet that they think of you as someone important.
4
They’re Super Affectionate With You
Giphy
If a cat isn’t that into you, they won’t be affectionate — in fact, they probably won’t be around at all. But if you and your cat are compatible, your cat will be showing their love all the time.
This can include bunting, which is when they rub their heads against you, or when they walk up and rub against your legs.
They might jump up on the couch and curl up right next to you, or nudge your hands to get you to touch them.
If your cat is compatible with you, they’ll also roll around near you, staring into your eyes. Bonus points if you get squinty eyes with a slow blink! This is basically a cat’s kiss.
5
They Groom You
Giphy
According to PetMD, cats groom each other as a way to relieve stress and exchange scents.
Pam Johnson-Bennett, author of feline behavior guides, told PetMD that when your cat tries to groom you by licking you and such, it’s a sign of affection — she wants to mingle her scent with yours. Grooming is a big compliment and a big sign that your cat loves you.
6
They Purr When They’re With You
Giphy
If a cat purrs in your presence, you’re pretty much golden. Cats purr when they feel very relaxed and happy and comfortable.
If they’re doing it when they’re sitting by you, or when you’re petting them, you guys are definitely compatible.
7
They Show You Their Belly
Giphy
Cats are sensitive about their bellies — they don’t like that part of them to be pet or touched, and they usually don’t show it to just anyone.
So if your cat rolls over and shows you their belly a lot, that’s a sign that they feel compatible with you.
Catster explained, “What your cat is telling you when he shows his belly is, ‘I trust you with my life.’ Don’t violate that trust by going in for a belly rub, pet or tickle!”
8
They Follow You Everywhere
Giphy
Cats can be loners sometimes, but if they love their human, they will be by your side all the time.
Pay attention to how your cat acts even if you’re not totally focused on them or carrying them around or tempting them with food.
If they follow you everywhere, it’s because they love you and want to be by your side. That’s definitely being compatible!
Get Even More From Bustle — Sign Up For The Newsletter
From hair trends to relationship advice, our daily newsletter has everything you need to sound like a person who’s on TikTok, even if you aren’t.
The ’60s Icon Who Lost Love And Endured Tragedy: Her Photos At 86

Connie Francis stands as one of the most influential and successful female vocalists in American music history—a performer whose unmistakable voice helped define the sound of the late 1950s and early 1960s.
With timeless classics such as “Who’s Sorry Now?”, “Stupid Cupid,” “My Heart Has a Mind of Its Own,” and “Everybody’s Somebody’s Fool,” she became an international sensation, captivating audiences around the world with her emotional delivery and remarkable vocal versatility.
Behind the glamour, however, was a life marked by extraordinary triumphs, heartbreaking loss, and an unwavering determination to survive challenges that would have broken many others.

Born Concetta Rosa Maria Franconero, Connie showed musical talent from an early age. Recognizing her potential, her father became the driving force behind her career.
Fiercely ambitious and deeply determined to see his daughter succeed, he encouraged—and often pressured—her to perform from childhood.
Under his strict guidance, Connie appeared in talent competitions, television programs, and live performances while still very young.
Although his relentless efforts ultimately helped launch one of the most successful careers in popular music, they also created enormous emotional pressure.
Connie would later acknowledge that the discipline and expectations placed upon her during her formative years shaped both her incredible work ethic and many of the personal struggles she experienced later in life.

Her breakthrough arrived in 1958 with “Who’s Sorry Now?” At first, the song attracted little attention, but after legendary television host Dick Clark played it on American Bandstand, everything changed.
Almost overnight, Connie Francis became a household name.
The record climbed the charts not only in the United States but across Europe and beyond, transforming her into one of the world's first truly international female pop stars.
Over the following years, she dominated radio with a remarkable string of hit records, sold millions of albums, and performed in multiple languages, building an enormous global fan base that stretched far beyond English-speaking audiences.
While her professional life appeared glamorous, her personal life was often filled with heartbreak. One of the deepest emotional wounds came from her romance with fellow singer Bobby Darin.
Their relationship blossomed during the early years of their careers, and the pair reportedly envisioned a future together.
However, Connie's father strongly disapproved of the relationship and ultimately intervened, preventing the romance from continuing.
The separation devastated both young performers. Bobby Darin eventually moved on and married actress Sandra Dee, while Connie would later describe losing him as one of the greatest heartbreaks of her life.
Years afterward, she admitted that she often wondered how different her life might have been had they been allowed to remain together.

As the years passed, the tragedies continued to mount. In 1974, Connie became the victim of a horrific assault following a performance, an event that profoundly affected her emotionally and psychologically.
The traumatic experience left lasting scars and dramatically altered her confidence and sense of security.
Determined that others should not endure similar suffering without support, she later became an outspoken advocate for victims' rights, helping raise awareness about crime victims and encouraging improvements in victim assistance programs throughout the United States.
Not long afterward, another devastating blow struck when her beloved younger brother, George Franconero Jr., was murdered.
His death shattered the family and plunged Connie into overwhelming grief. Losing someone so close while still coping with previous trauma compounded her emotional struggles and made everyday life increasingly difficult.
The combination of public pressure, personal loss, and unresolved trauma gradually took a severe toll on her mental health.

During these painful years, Connie faced profound depression and experienced periods of emotional crisis.
She openly discussed her struggles with mental illness, including a suicide attempt, choosing to speak honestly about experiences that were rarely discussed publicly at the time.
Her willingness to share her story helped reduce stigma surrounding mental health and encouraged countless others to seek treatment and support. Rather than hiding her pain, Connie transformed it into a source of compassion for people facing similar battles.
As if those challenges were not enough, Connie also endured a devastating setback to the very gift that had made her famous—her voice.
Following nasal surgery intended to improve her breathing, complications temporarily robbed her of her ability to sing.
For an artist whose identity and livelihood depended upon her voice, the experience was emotionally crushing.
The fear that she might never perform again left her questioning whether her extraordinary career had reached its end.
Through months of rehabilitation, patience, and determination, she gradually regained her vocal abilities, demonstrating once again the remarkable resilience that had become a defining characteristic of her life.

Despite enduring repeated personal tragedies, Connie refused to let hardship define her legacy.
Throughout the years, she found strength in several enduring sources: her deep religious faith, the love she shared with her adopted son Joey, and the unwavering support of generations of devoted fans who continued to celebrate her music long after her chart-topping years had passed.
Their encouragement reminded her that her voice—and her story—continued to matter.
Professionally, Connie Francis achieved accomplishments that remain extraordinary by any standard.
She sold more than 80 million records worldwide, recorded songs in numerous languages, and became one of the first female solo artists to enjoy sustained international superstardom.
Her influence reached far beyond America, making her one of the most recognizable voices of her era.
Even decades after her biggest hits, her recordings continue to be rediscovered by new generations of listeners who appreciate the sincerity, warmth, and emotional depth she brought to every performance.

Today, at 87 years old, Connie Francis is remembered not only as a legendary singer but also as a symbol of perseverance.
Living a quiet life in Florida after retiring from the spotlight, she remains an enduring inspiration to fans around the world.
Her extraordinary journey serves as a reminder that fame does not shield anyone from heartbreak, loss, or personal struggle, but it also demonstrates the remarkable resilience of the human spirit.
Through unimaginable challenges, Connie continued to move forward with courage, dignity, and hope.
Her legacy extends far beyond the millions of records she sold or the timeless songs she recorded.
It lives on in her advocacy for victims' rights, her openness about mental health, and her willingness to transform personal pain into compassion for others.
Connie Francis is remembered not simply because she possessed one of the most recognizable voices of the twentieth century, but because she showed the world that true strength is measured not by the absence of suffering, but by the courage to keep singing after life has tested you again and again.