15 Bizarre Things Your Pet Does To Show They Love You

It’s a cruel trick of nature that humans can’t communicate with some of the creatures with whom we’d most like to speak: our pets. We live with our pets for years. We learn their quirks and know how to best care for them. But we never get to communicate verbally—except for, of course, the occasional attempt at a bark or meow. Everything we know about how our animals feel about us comes from body language.

We all know the basics: when a dog wags their tail, they’re happy to see you. When a cat purrs, they’re enjoying being pet. But how about the more subtle signs? And what about those pets we don’t know as much about? You can tell a rat is happy, for instance, by the position of its ears. Even hamsters have the ability to bond with humans and display affection.

Some of these ways pets show they love us are incredibly adorable. And what’s even cuter is that in many instances, you can reciprocate your animal’s behavior to tell them you love them too, in a way they’ll understand. If animals could use the internet, would they write articles on how pets show they love us? It’s hard to say, but we have a feeling they already know.

1. Cats Give Slow Blinks To Say, “I Love You”

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You can actually give them love blinks back.

Every cat owner is familiar with their cat’s long stares and leisurely blinks. It may just seem like they’re sleepy and lazy, but really their slow eye movements are a sign of affection. If a cat gives you a long blink, it means they trust you. It might seem weird, but you can reciprocate the love. Just blink back at them slowly, and they’ll know how much you care.

2. Your Hamsters Stands On Its Hind Legs When You Walk By

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They smell you and want attention.

Hamsters have a limited ability to bond with humans, but they can grow to recognize and trust one or two people. Although hamsters are big on hiding, if they’re out and about when you walk by and suddenly stand alert, it means they caught your scent and would like some attention, please. See? Some pets show us they love us in a clear manner: by giving us all of their attention!

3. Once Your Guinea Pig Has Gotten To Know You, They’ll Eat From Your Hand

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The little lettuce nibbles are worth the patience.

Guinea pigs are typically shy when they’re first adopted, but as time goes on, they grow to trust their owners. One sign of trust is eating out of your hand. These adorable rodents are naturally nervous, so when they grow comfortable enough to nibble a carrot you’re holding for them, that’s a sign your guinea pig loves you.

4. When Dogs Do A Low Bow, They Want To Play

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This way our canine pets show they love us is typically accompanied with a tail wag.

Dogs frequently perform what’s called the low bow, where they bend at the elbows but keep their hind legs erect. They’ll lock eyes, inviting the person they love to play a game with them. Because they’re social animals, dogs love to roughhouse among their pack. If a dog wants you to play, they might just consider you family.

5. If Your Chinchilla Comes To Greet You, They Think You’re Swell

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They’ll also let you scratch their chins.

Chinchillas don’t naturally like to be held, so it can be hard to gauge just how these little critters feel about their owners. But a sure sign your chinchilla loves you is that they’re happy to see you. Often, they’ll come to the bars of their cage when their owner walks in the room to request play time, or perhaps a treat.

6. Horses Lean Into People And Other Animals They’re Fond Of

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It’s a behavior they perform in the wild too.

Given that humans and horses largely bond through riding, it makes sense that horses crave physical contact. That’s why if your horse gently leans against you, that means they love you. Horses lean against other horses in the wild as well. These creatures will also gently nuzzle those they trust with their nose, which is a vulnerable part of the horse’s body.

7. If Your Cat Sleeps In Bed With You, You’re Good Pals

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It means they want to be near you.

If your cat sleeps with you either during the day or at night, there’s good news: your cat is obsessed with you. One of the main ways cats show affection is by sleeping on or near those they love. Similarly, when they follow their owners around the house or frequently try to be in the same room, it means they like hanging out with you.

8. Your Parakeet Might Wag Its Tail, Just Like A Dog

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But it could also mean they’re about to poop.

Parakeets have some surprising techniques to show their owners they love them. These little birds are big cuddlers. They’ll also hang upside down around their beloved owners, which is a vulnerable position for the parakeet. Perhaps one of the most unexpected signs, however, is that your parakeet may wag its tail when you approach, which means they’re excited to see you. But watch out — it could also mean they’re about to go to the bathroom. Not all the ways pets show they love us are straightforward, after all!

9. Ducks Imprint On Their Mothers, So It’s Not Surprise They Show Their Owners Lots Of Love

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They’ll bob their heads and cuddle.

When ducks bob their heads up and down in the wild, it’s typically a sign of flirting. But domesticated ducks will often perform this behavior when they’re excited. They’ll bob their heads when they see their owner, when they’re receiving treats, or when they’re about to go for a swim in the pool. If a duck is moving their head from side to side, however, it’s usually to reprimand another duck.

10. A Goat That Loves Their Owner Will Approach Without Hesitation

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Goats also won’t display aggressive behaviors toward those they’re fond of.

Goats are naturally scared of humans and often try to drive them away. But a goat that loves its owner will typically come to them willingly and may even greet their owner upon seeing them. These stubborn animals don’t acquiesce easily to human demands, so if your goat behaves respectfully and allows you to feel and pet them, they truly trust you.

11. If Your Dog Yawns After You Do, It Means They Love You

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Turns out yawning is contagious in dogs too.

Humans often yawn after someone else yawns. This phenomenon likely has to do with our ability to empathize. Surprisingly, dogs seem to yawn more often after their owners yawn than when a stranger does. Humans are also more likely to “catch” the yawn of someone they’re close to rather than a person they don’t know.

12. Rats Display Contentment With Their Ears

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If their ears are typically perked up, your rat may feel uncomfortable around you.

Rodent scientists determined the best way to tell how a rat is feeling is by looking at its ears. If your rat’s ears are relaxed and hanging to the side, the rat is happy. Rats’ ears may also turn pink when they feel good due to increased blood flow. These expressive animals are also known to cuddle and hitch rides on their owners’ shoulders.

13. Ferrets Do A Dance Of Joy

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These pets show they love us through an adorable dance.

Ferrets are known for their playfulness and sociability. One way they invite someone they trust to play is performing what’s called the “dance of joy,” where they puff their tail, show their teeth, and begin hopping around. Ferrets also tell people they want to play by pawing at the ground. You can reciprocate the behavior and invite your ferret to play as well.

14. If Your Rabbit Loves You, They May Try To Groom You

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Some pets show they love us with licks and nibbles.

Rabbits demonstrate affection between one another by grooming their fellow buns. If a rabbit begins “grooming” you by licking and nibbling you, that means they’re comfortable around you. Rabbits will also nudge humans as a way to request a head rub. Oblige and you just might be best friends for life.

15. Your Dog Will Raise Their Eyebrows

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Around strangers, dogs don’t show as many facial expressions.

We all know what it looks like when a dog loves someone. But scientists discovered another subtle way our canine pets show they love us. When man’s best friend sees their owner, they’ll often raise their eyebrows, specifically the left one. Around strangers, dogs don’t show facial expressions as often as they do with those they love.