Does My Cat Really Know We're Family?
Our feline friends are highly intelligent and mysterious animals, showing their love and affection in their own way. That said, any devoted cat caregiver knows that cats form deep bonds with their humans. We are certainly more than just the โproviders of foodโโฆ but do cats consider us family?ย
How Cats View Social Relationships
Did you know that dogs were bred for companionship and teamwork by humans, but cats were enticed to live closer with us humans and embraced this relationship around 9,500 years ago!ย
Cats chose to settle near human communities because of the abundant access to food, as rodents were attracted by the food stored by humans. As a result, cats have retained much of their wild ancestry and along with that, the needs of their wild ancestors.
The furry friends we know and love today are socially flexibleย animals. Many wild relatives of our pet cats live alone, but โdomesticated catsโ create meaningful relationships based on familiarity, scent and trust.ย
In many multi-cat households, cats form โsocial groupsโ which are created through rituals like shared grooming and scent-marking between bonded cats and may extend similar behaviors towards trusted humans.ย
Do Cats Recognize Their Humans?
Research has proven that cats can formย secure attachmentsย to their caregivers, like the bonds seen between human infants and their parents.ย
Cats use a combination of senses to recognize their humans, primarily via scent, but also sound and sight. They can distinguish between voices and unique smells. One 2020 study suggests that cats can detect their caregiversโ emotional states and regulate their own behavior in accordance. Oxytocin, known as the โlove hormoneโ has also been proven to be released in both cats and humans during affectionate interactions, like petting around their cheeks and head.ย
So, while cats may not understand โfamilyโ in the human sense, they absolutely recognize familiar humans as trusted companions and will often treat them as part of their social group.
Do Cats Think That Humans are Cats Too?
To put it simply, cats donโt think of humans as catsโฆ or as humans. Cats donโt recognize species in the same way that we do but often treat us as part of their social group.ย
Cats distinguish our faces, voices, and even moods. However, they still interact using feline social cues like rubbing, purring, grooming and slow blinking. These behaviors may be less obvious compared to those of species that naturally live in groups, like dogs.
Your cat doesnโt sit there thinking โthis is my humanโ, it most likely sees you as a big, weird, but beloved, member of its feline world. Someone who provides warmth, safety - and tasty snacks.
Behaviors That Show Bonding
Learning to understand your cat - and uncover what they think about you โ is a matter of learning their language. Cats demonstrate their relationship with us in many ways:ย
Slow Blinkingย
A slow blink from a cat is one of the sweetest gestures they can give. Slow blinking is essentially a feline way of saying โI trust youโ or โIโm relaxed with you.โ
Head Buntingย
Cats have scent glands around their cheeks, forehead, and chin. When cats headbutt, theyโre depositing their scent on you and showing that they consider us part of their social group or family.ย
Sleeping Near or On Youย
If your cats choose to sleep on or near you, this is a clear sign of their love and trust. Think of it this way, cats are most vulnerable when theyโre asleep, so choosing to curl up beside (or on) you means they feel completely safe in your presence.ย
If your cat doesnโt want to sleep near or on you, it doesnโt mean they donโt trust you. This choice can depend on their personality, and some cats may like to have more personal space. If they choose to sleep by you, thatโs a good sign too!
Vocalizing Their Love
Like humans, cats may choose to vocalize their love for you through meows, trills, chirrups, or purrs. They use sound to communicate affection and connection in their own special feline way. Cats understand that humans respond well to sound, and the clever part is that they can vary their meows depending on the message they want to convey.
Exposing Their Bellyย
When cats expose their bellies, this is a display of their trust, rather than an invitation for a belly rub. Many cats may feel defensive when this vulnerable area is touched.
Top Tips to Strengthen Your Bond
Strengthening the bond with your cat is all about building trust, respect, and positive shared experiences. Cats can form deep attachments with their humans over time.
Here are some thoughtful ways to nurture and strengthen your bond with your kitty:
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Always communicate gently, using a soft, calm voice and move slowly and smoothly to avoid spooking your cat. You can even try to speak their language and slow blink as a greeting to build trust.
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Respect their space and body language and interact with them in ways that cats appreciate, rather than forced encounters e.g. picking them up or holding them.ย
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FELIWAYยฎ Optimumย diffusers are a great way to help create a calming atmosphere, and serene space for your cat.ย
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Use Happy Snack by FELIWAYยฎย as a treat or reward! If your cat is confident with close contact, offer it directly from the stick but if theyโre shy offer it from a distance in their bowl or on a lick mat.ย
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Provide enrichment activities to keep them physically and mentally stimulated. There are so many ways to have fun together! Choose between interactive toys and puzzles as well as simple activities which will sharpen their natural instincts.
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Consistency is key! Try to stick to regular feeding and play times and avoid sudden changes in routines. If changes are needed, introduce these slowly to let your cat become accustomed to them.ย
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Respect your catsโ boundaries and let them choose when to interact. Try to give them safe hideaways and quiet zones to go to when they want.ย
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Get to know them and their unique personality! Just like in any other relationship itโs a matter of taking the time to get to know each other.ย
