Mary Allen
Fur noses, house cats, velvet paws – we find plenty of descriptive and appreciative words for our beloved cats. But how does it actually work the other way around? What would our cats call us? Hairless giant cats? Tin opener? Or are we perhaps most likely a kind of mother cat? We provide insight into how cats perceive their daily caretakers and caregivers.
Unfortunately, cats cannot talk to us. Their repertoire of vocalizations is relatively limited, so we can’t ask them how they see us. Still, there are some interesting clues that shed light on our role in the cat world. To do this, we need to understand the extent to which cats behave differently towards us than towards other cats.
Our Role as Humans in the Social Environment of Cats
First of all, it is noticeable that adult cats communicate with each other almost exclusively via non-verbal signals such as the movement of the tailor the position of the ears. Vocalizations are avoided as far as possible. However, man does not understand these subtle expressions. So it seems like while cats perceive us as bigger and somewhat superior, they also think we’re a little slow on the uptake. The fact that we eventually react to their vocalizations ensures that the cat learns and uses them to draw our attention to something. So she’s perfectly aware that she’s not dealing with another cat.
How Cats Classify Their Environment
Even as small kittens, cats learn how to see their environment. In relation to other creatures, this is essentially divided into the distinction between prey animals and possible predators. However, if the cat comes into contact with people up to the age of 12 months and they behave benevolently towards it, it will divide us into a third category. In this are those living beings that are classified by her as neutral and possibly even useful. Incidentally, this is also the crucial age at which cats can easily be imprinted on the peaceful interaction with dogs.
If this point is missed, it becomes more difficult for cats to befriend humans or dogs as they get older. In any case, it is interesting to observe that cats often behave towards us as they do or have done towards their mother animal. This includes, for example, the vocalizations mentioned (the meowing ). The reason for this is our behavior: After all, we feed the cat and give it pets – the cat knows that from its mother.
Do Cats Actually Care About Their Humans?
The fact that our house tigers occasionally bring home half-disassembled mice and other small animals as a ” gift ” is often seen as a sign of appreciation towards us. However, it is assumed that this behavior of the cat has only marginally to do with humans. She assumes, at least indirectly, that he is obviously not capable of hunting. Otherwise, it is quite typical of the behavior of cats not to eat their prey where they killed it. Otherwise, you could quickly become a victim of a predator yourself or have to share the food. In the apartment, however, the ready-made food offered is too tempting to be satisfied with the captured mice. The hunting behavior of the cat is nevertheless innate and stays with her throughout life.
Cats Recognize Differences & Similarities to Humans
So the question of how cats see us cannot be answered unequivocally and clearly. After all, people also have different attitudes towards cats, and socialization and the first contact with them also plays a decisive role for us. In any case, the cat itself is not only aware of the visual differences to us and it quickly learns how to deal with us. Some of them have even developed a kind of their own sound communication with their owners, with which even a (very simple) conversation is possible. As a rule, adult cats actually only meow to communicate with humans. So the better you can put yourself in the cat’s world, the more she will perceive you as a positive part of her environment.
People as Sparsely-Haired, Clumsy Surrogate Mothers?
In summary, it remains to be assumed that cats essentially perceive us as large, hairless, and perhaps a little slow-witted and clumsy in everyday life “giant cats”. In addition, the partial satisfaction of their needs in the areas of food intake and attention as well as hygiene are obviously appreciated. In any case, our fluffy roommates know that we are generally friendly to them. You can therefore assume that your cat’s bond with you will be at least as strong as vice versa.