I couldn't find a really good English equivalent. I've noticed that Portuguese sometimes has more nuanced possibilities when it comes to characterizing emotions.

Examples:

https://www.everydayhealth.com › healthy-living › affection-confusion-m...
Nov 17, 2017 - It can be an emotional display of love, including words and physical touch. It can also be the prelude to the act of sex. Although men are typically thought of as very physical creatures, **their need for affection and the ability to show it** depends on their personality, and sometimes the way they were brought up.

https://books.google.com › books
Michelle Garnett, ‎Tony Attwood - 2013 - ‎Family & Relationships
**Consider how appropriately your child shows affection to others**

Lots of examples of how animals show affection toward humans through physical gestures.