Rubbing in cats is usually performed to mark territory with pheromones and as a bonding procedure with whom?

Rubbing in cats is usually performed to mark territory with pheromones and as a bonding procedure with whom?

• A. Other species only
• B. Familiar people/pets
• C. Unknown persons
• D. Food items

Answer: (B)

Rubbing against someone is a cat’s way of using scent signals to mark who is part of its social group and to strengthen bonds. The cat releases pheromones from facial glands as it rubs on a person or another animal, leaving a scent that says “this is part of my territory and my family.” That social bonding is most meaningful with familiar people and pets—the ones the cat already trusts and associates with safety and comfort. It isn’t about bonding with unknown people, non-living food items, or other species in the same way, so familiar people and pets is the best fit.

Rubbing against someone is a cat’s way of using scent signals to mark who is part of its social group and to strengthen bonds. The cat releases pheromones from facial glands as it rubs on a person or another animal, leaving a scent that says “this is part of my territory and my family.” That social bonding is most meaningful with familiar people and pets—the ones the cat already trusts and associates with safety and comfort. It isn’t about bonding with unknown people, non-living food items, or other species in the same way, so familiar people and pets is the best fit.