Feline Scent Marking
When cats rub against you more during stressful times, they’re doing more than seeking attention. They’re using facial glands to deposit pheromones that create a shared scent. Applied Animal Behaviour Science research shows this scent-marking increases when cats sense owner distress. Your cat tries to restore emotional balance through this chemical bonding ritual that calms both of you. The deposited pheromones contain compounds that naturally reduce anxiety in both felines and humans.