Is my cat rubbing its face on my hamster friendly or predatory?

Question

Hello, I’ve had a hamster for about 6 months and today I carefully let my cat smell him while I held him. After he sniffed the hamster he started rubbing his face all over him roughly. Is that a friendly behavior or a predatory behavior? I’m asking because I always let him watch the hamster in his cage and now I’m wondering if I should move the cage so the cat can’t see it. Pet's info: Cat | American Shorthair | Male | neutered | 1 year and 2 months old | 11 lbs

Laura Johnson VMD · Accepted Answer

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Cats have a scent gland on there lower lip. They rub your legs and furniture to mark it. It is a "happy" scent gland. But with out seeing what he was doing I would be careful for a while. I am hoping he was just marking the hamster. Have a good day!

Is my cat rubbing its face on my hamster friendly or predatory?

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