The Maine Coon ‘Head Bunt’: Why They Headbutt You#

You are sitting on the sofa, scrolling on your phone. Suddenly—WHAM. A furry forehead slams into your cheekbone with the force of a battering ram.

Congratulations. You have just been Bunted.

While all cats rub their faces on things, Maine Coons are famous for the sheer force of their Head Bunting. It isn’t a delicate rub; it is a full-contact sport. Sometimes they do it so hard you can hear the thud.

Why do they do this? Are they aggressive? Clumsy? Or is it the highest compliment a cat can give?

The Scent Glands#

Cats have scent glands located on their:

Temples (between eye and ear)
Cheeks
Corners of the mouth

When a cat rubs these areas against you, they are depositing Pheromones. Specifically, they are depositing the F3 Facial Pheromone (the “happy/safe” marker). This is the same pheromone mimicked by products like Feliway.

“You Are Mine”#

In the wild, cats in a colony (a clowder) will groom and rub against each other to create a “Group Scent.” It is a way of saying, “You smell like the colony. You are safe. You are family.”

When your Maine Coon slams his head into your face, he is refreshing your scent mark. He is effectively tagging you with invisible graffiti that says: “PROPERTY OF ATTICUS.”

Why So Hard?#

Why the violence? Maine Coons are a high-confidence breed. A shy cat might gently rub your shin. A confident, alpha-type Maine Coon feels safe enough to be physically assertive. The force of the bunt is often correlated with the intensity of the bond. A hard bunt means, “I REALLY love you (and I own you).”

How to Respond#

If your cat bunts you:

Bunt Back: Gently lower your head and press your forehead against theirs. This is “cat speak” for “I accept your claim.”
Scritches: Scratch the spot they just rubbed (usually behind the ears). It releases more scent and feels good.

Conclusion#

The Head Bunt is the ultimate sign of trust. It puts their eyes and vulnerable face right next to yours. So the next time your giant cat gives you a mild concussion with his forehead, don’t be annoyed. Just say, “Thank you,” and accept your place as his favorite possession.

References#

Crowell-Davis, S.L. (2003). “Cat Behavior: Social Organization, Communication and Development.”
Journal of Veterinary Behavior. Feline Pheromones and Social Bonding.
International Cat Care. Understanding Feline Body Language.