Cats have specific behaviors that make them unique as animals. One of those behaviors involves spreading their scent on animals/humans based on who they prefer. In the wild, you will often notice a cat start to rub against other members of their family and this is their way of “imprinting” on them. With humans, you will often wonder, do cats imprint on one person?
Yes, cats do imprint on one person and do this by rubbing against them or remaining in their presence. In a household, you may notice the cat favor one person more than the other. This is their way of imprinting on the human out of comfort.
Cats do this because they want to show their affection and comfort to that animal/human.
Key factors include:
- Living Arrangements
- Number of Humans
- General Comfort of the Cat
Cats are fascinating when it comes to imprinting. Some cats will imprint multiple humans while others are going to choose one.
There is no science to this other than the cat is simply showing its affection to one or more people. If they do love one person more than the others then that is what you are going to see every day.
Anyone asking “Do cats imprint on one person?” will know it right away. There are many signs that a cat has imprinted on one person even if there are others in the house.
This article will look to answer “Do cats imprint on one person?” while also showing some of the signs that a cat has imprinted on one person.
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Signs a Cat Has Imprinted On You
1. Constant Rubs Against You
One of the more common signs that a cat has imprinted on you involves physical contact.
They will want to have their scent on you as that is a point of comfort for them. As a result, they will want to rub against you and maintain that physical contact at various times during the day.
It might seem odd at first, but you will start to notice this become a pattern. They will do it more and more as they become increasingly comfort.
In a lot of cases when you ask “Do cats imprint on one person?” it becomes clear they cat wants contact. This means they will also encourage you to give them a scratch under the chin or want to sit in your lap.
These are all common signs that a cat is looking to imprint on you.

2. Follows You Around
Another sign involves the cat walking in the same room as you all the time.
They will look to follow you from one room to the next even if it has nothing to do with their routine. It is just their way of wanting to be close to a common source of comfort.
If this includes them rubbing against you then that is a sign that a cat has imprinted on you!
You will also notice them only follow one person.
This doesn’t always make sense but it does happen. As a result, you will want to ask “Do cats imprint on one person?”

3. Listens To You
Does the cat listen to you all the time?
There are many examples of cats that refuse to listen because they march to their own beat! Well, there are cats that will listen but only to one person.
This is the person they rely on the most and trust.
When asking “Do cats imprint on one person?” you will want to look at this factor.
Does the cat listen to one person in the house all the time? If so, then that is likely a sign they have imprinted on that person.
Related Questions
1. How To Get A Cat To Imprint On You?
The best way to get a cat to imprint on you involves bond with them, initiate physical contact, provide food/water, and remain close to them.
2. Do Cats Change Their Favorite Person?
Yes, cats can change their favorite person. This is similar to humans. One day you will like someone and another day they may not be as likeable. Cats have similar personalities and can change their favorite person as they deem necessary.
Final Thoughts
“Do cats imprint on one person?”
Each cat is unique but many will imprint on one person. This includes rubbing against that person, staying in the same room as them, and/or following the individual around throughout the day.
Here is more on cats – cat grooming before sleeping, the softness of cat fur, letting a cat go outside, and removing tapeworms from cat’s body.