You and your cat have your own special bond. You’re their provider, their playmate and their safe place, which are all very important roles. Because of that, your cat may view you as a hero, which proves that not all heros wear capes. However, sometimes it can be tough to get a read on felines because cats communicate different than people do. In fact, since cats tend to be more guarded about their affection, it can leave you with more questions than answers. One of those being, how can you know if your cat looks up to you in the first place? To help you know, we rounded up 7 signs your cat considers you their hero, according to vets.

Seeing how cats may not be as obvious with showing how they feel compared to dogs, knowing what cat behaviors and what your cat’s body language means can help you know what your cat is trying to tell you. Once you become more familiar with signs your cat trusts you, Aimee Warner, DVM, resident veterinarian at Waggel, says you’ll be able to undertand your cat better and have a better connection overall. “Cats show attachment differently compared to dogs,” she stresses. “Cats showing affection can be very subtle and they show this when trust is established and you are well-bonded.”

Sure, your cat is unlikely to never jump up and down with excitement when you get home from work or gaze at you adoringly, just becausem but they that doesn’t mean they don’t appreciate you as their cat parent and admire you. Your cat is likley giving off signs that they love you all the time. They are just easy to miss if you’re not looking for them. The good news is, there are some meaningful patterns that can offer insight. Read to see a few of them so you can know what your cat truly thinks of you and if you are a hero in their eyes.

Related: 10 Sweet & Funny Signs Your Cat Loves You, Says a Vet

7 Signs Your Cat Considers You Their Hero

Cats may be small, but their gestures speak volumes. These 7 subtle, vet-backed signs your cat considers you their hero reveal how they show devotion, affection and appreciation for the special role you play in their life.

They ‘Make Biscuits’ On You

One of the clearest signs your cat loves you is that they want to be near you as much as possible. So, while your cat making a kneading motion on you may feel random, there’s a sweet backstory here, according to Nita Vasudevan, DVM, a veterinarian at Embrace Pet Insurance. “Kittens knead their mother’s belly when they are nursing to stimulate the flow of milk and to express their happiness at nursing,” she says. “When a cat kneads you or “makes biscuits,” it is expressing its joyful, similar to how it did with its mother.” The kitten/mother bond is a close one, Vasudevan points out. “This is a big compliment about their comfort level with you,” she says.

They Guard You

While heroes are ones who watch others, your cat may want to return the favor for those they love. So even though your cat isn’t going to fend off intruders, protective or attentive behavior can be a subtle sign your cat admires you. “Guarding behavior signifies attachment,” Warner says. “If a cat want to be near you while sleeping or resting, they go to spots where they can be close to you or watch you. This shows they feel safe and secure when you’re around.” Observing this vet-backed cat behavior can help you understand how your feline friend expresses loyalty.

They Bring You ‘Gifts’

When it comes to signs your cat thinks you’re their hero, this is a sweet gesture for all that you do, according to Warner. Bringing you a favorite toy or something they’ve discovered is a nod to your hard work as a pet parent, she says. “They’re letting you know you are part of their inner circle and want to share resources,” she says. So the next time your cat brings you something, take it as a subtle reminder of the affection they have for you. To you they aren’t just a person, you are their person and their hero.

They Head-Butt You

How do you know if your cat loves you? Having your cat butt their head into you can seem like an aggressive move, but it’s actually not. Instead, it’s a sign your cat likes you and they trust you. “Cats have scent glands on their face that they rub on surfaces, on people and on familiar cats,” Vasudevan says. “The scent glands produce a pheromone that cats interpret as safety and familiarity.”

Because of that, if your cat is head-butting you, know that they are marking you as someone they feel safe with. Therefore, to them you are not threatening, you are a hero to them and someone who they know will keep them safe.

Related: 8 Cute and Silly Signs Your Cat Is Happy, According to a Vet

They Drape Their Tail On You

A cat can communicate a lot through its tail, and wrapping their tail around you is a sweet, subtle sign your cat loves you. “When a cat drapes its tail around you, it generally means affection and comfort,” Warner says. “It’s like a friendly greeting or a gentle hug in cat language.” This gesture also shows that your feline friend sees you as a hero and someone special in their life. Paying attention to this vet-backed cat behavior can help you notice how your cat expresses love, admiration, and loyalty in quiet, everyday ways.

They Stalk You

When your cat can’t seem to leave your side, it’s a subtle sign they truly value and look up to you. “If a cat stalks you and follows you around, it is seeking your attention and companionship,” Vasudevan says. “This speaks highly of you, as your company has not only been accepted but also is highly desired—enough to interrupt their other activities.”

They Hunt for You

You’ll be happy to hear that if your cat hunts for you, that means your cat considers yo to be their family. Cats don’t do this for just anyone though. They only do it for those who they love and who cats are thankful for. “A mother cat brings small prey to her kittens to allow them to learn how to hunt and thus feed themselves,” Vasudevan says. “If a cat brings you a small creature, either dead or maime, it is caring for you the way a mother cat would care for a kitten.” This gesture suggests that your cat adores you enough to bring you food.

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This story was originally published by Parade Pets on Jan 18, 2026, where it first appeared in the Cats section. Add Parade Pets as a Preferred Source by clicking here.