Why Do Cats Rub Against Your Legs?

Cats rub against your legs primarily as a form of communication and marking behavior. Rubbing against you may serve as a sign of affection or a greeting; it is also a means of marking you as part of the cat’s territory or social group. Such marking involves the transfer of the cat’s own scent from scent glands around its head; other glands are located at the base of the cat’s tail and the underside of its paws. This behavior is deeply rooted in the cat’s instincts.

Rubbing against your legs is thus a social behavior that helps strengthen the bond between you and your feline friend. In other words, by rubbing against you, your cat is reinforcing its connection with you as a trusted companion.

Another reason cats rub against your legs is to get your attention. Cats are naturally curious and observant creatures, and they often use physical contact to communicate their needs or desires. Whether they want to be fed, to play, or simply to be petted, they might rub against your legs as a way of gaining your attention to that end. Cats often accompany this behavior with vocalizations or gestures, such as meowing or purring, which make them even harder to ignore.