Unlike dogs, which express their devotion and love for their owners in a more emotional and obvious way, felines have less obvious ways to communicate their feelings. Like any living creature, each cat is individual, has its own temperament, character, and behavior patterns. That is why our pets demonstrate their attitude and sympathy towards humans in different ways. In fact, even a pet's hurtful behavior can be a sign of love. So, do cats love their owners and how do these unique animals show their sympathy for humans?
A process of domestication that began thousands of years ago
According to various estimates, there are about 600 million cats living on Earth today. Of these, more than 500 are completely domestic breeds that either live with people or end up on the street. All these representatives of the same family were once domesticated, right? Not really. If a person sought to domesticate a wolf or a jackal on purpose, and the type of dog itself can be called selection, then cats became attached to humans deliberately. They chose this way of life because catching, for example, mice in the territory adjacent to a settled village, was a simpler matter than full-fledged hunting. And the rodents themselves never lagged behind people, eating up their waste.
The domestication of cats occurred about 10 thousand years ago and began with the Nubian breed. The process took a long time, but over time, these “tamed” hunters began to follow the person much more often. The domestic cat today still remains close to its wild relatives. It would be a mistake to assume that it is completely tamed. It should also be noted that in an extreme situation such animals can even attack a person, especially if this is required for rescue or feeding. The way a cat perceives people is superimposed on its previous life. A person is seen as a source of more accessible food or a leader with whom the animal shares territory, temporarily, of course.
HOW CATS RECOGNIZE THEIR OWNERS.
| Date: April 24, 2015 | Category: ABOUT CATS | Comments: No comments |
Purring hello to everyone, my dear cat lovers!
Tell me, please, have you ever wondered how cats recognize you , their owners ?
la-murmur.ru
So let's think about it right now!!!
Part No. 1 "Voice".
I wanted to start something today with the opinion of Japanese scientists. So, the latter “tested” 20 cats for 8 months in order to find out whether they react to voices and whether they distinguish the voices of their owners from the voices of strangers.
No, I am amazed at these Japanese! Was it even worth spending so much effort, money, time, laboratory space and cats on such a study?
After all, any cat, if they are not deaf, always reacts to voices, different sounds and rustles. This is clear to any person who has ever seen these most beautiful representatives of the cat family. And there is no need for any scientists or laboratories. The experiment is simple: “I don’t really want to”: I went outside, saw a cat, and said: “Kitty-kitty.” And there are two options: either the cat will move its ears and run away from you in fear, or, on the contrary, it will rush towards you in the hope of getting something tasty or just affection, accompanying all this with a sound signal: “Me-oo-oo.”
In short, the Japanese managed to find out that cats recognize their owners by their voices.
la-murmur.ru
I, like a cat, can say that I don’t always recognize my owners by their appearance, especially if they went on vacation for a long time and someone else took care of me. But I almost always recognize them by their voice.
However, last summer an embarrassment happened to me. And it happened like this: her sister came to visit my mother, and she had a voice that was exactly like my mother’s. And what do you think? I took them and mixed them up. Mom was so upset: “What are you doing, son? Am I here? Where did you run? Don’t you recognize your mother or something?”
Just like that.
Part No. 2 “FigUristaya”.
As for appearance, we cats, of course, are able to recognize our owners by it. But you shouldn’t think that appearance is the most important thing for us.
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Cats and male cats are excellent at distinguishing general outlines. If, for example, a cat has an owner with a slender, miniature figure, then she will not confuse her “mommy” with a donut lady. In short, height and weight are important factors for host identification.
Also, we cats are able to easily distinguish a man from a woman.
Facial features, eye color, arched eyebrows, thickness of eyelashes, hair length - this is not of fundamental importance for cats.
And I can also say from my own cat experience that I can distinguish a child from a guy, and an adult man in his prime from an older man. Personally, I can’t stand all men between the ages of 20 and 40-45, except my own father. Why I can’t stand them is because they make me afraid. I don't know why.
Part No. 3 “Stuffy”.
But cats recognize their owners not only by their voice and figure, but also by their smell. Smell is one of the decisive factors in the process of host recognition. I heard a familiar voice, approached, sniffed - and it was immediately clear whether it was the owner or not. Otherwise, you never know, suddenly some parodist will come, deceive you and take you home...
My friends, I think I have told you all the most important things about how cats recognize their owners .
All that remains to be added is this: I also recognize my owners by their steps when they walk along the entrance. I hear familiar steps and immediately run to the door screaming: “Where are you staggering? Let’s eat already!”
I wish you that your pets always recognize you. And you too, even after a fun party)))
Your black happy cat Jose Carreras, with love at la-murmur.ru.
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It is also useful to read on this topic:
Is it possible to feed cats dog food? Sterilize?
Do cats see ghosts?
What do cats love most?
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The place of cats in mythology and traditions
Often cats are endowed with supernatural powers, for example, communication with the otherworldly. Even a modern intellectual, being late for a meeting, will try to get around the black cat. In Egypt, cats were considered untouchable animals and occupied a very prominent position in society, being in much better standing than, for example, a farmer or a free worker. In one role or another, these animals follow a person constantly, but not out of fidelity. Their motive is completely different, they have adapted, learned to live next to a stronger predator, while remaining virtually free. If this is not manipulation and a sign of a high mind, then who knows what is. It is unlikely that these animals could have had such a huge impact on society by accident.
Sounds and facial expressions of cats when communicating with humans
The faster a person learns to distinguish between animal sounds and their meaning, the faster their relationship will improve. Cats have a developed language, which helps them communicate well with their relatives and give some signs to their owner.
A short meow is most often a kind of greeting or interest in something new that the animal has not yet seen. A long, quiet meow is most often a sign of hunger or thirst. If the meowing becomes loud and long, then this indicates pain and discomfort. Purring is always a sign of joy and satisfaction, which can be caused by a person’s affection, a good mood, or a full stomach.
Important! Hissing always characterizes fear and intimidation. Kittens often behave this way because they are most frightened by new people and things, and cannot fully protect themselves with bites or claws.
Most often, the face of cats is calm and peaceful, but facial expressions speak volumes. When danger arises, when the cat is ready to attack and defend itself, it sharply presses its ears to its head. But this behavior can also occur when the owner is fooling around with her and playing. Real fear is manifested not only by a change in the expression of the muzzle, but also by the raising of the tail, the hair on which stands on end, as well as the active demonstration of fangs, which is complemented by a characteristic hissing.
Happy cat purrs and meows quietly
Functions of a cat in the modern world
What is a domestic cat for? Having cast aside emotions, you should look into the abyss of your own rationalism and give an answer to such a simple question. Yes, for some animals have become an outlet, for others - an object of altruism or a way to show their care at least somewhere. But, in fact, why do you need a cat in a metropolis? She doesn't catch mice, and they hardly threaten the clerk on the 8th floor of a high-rise surrounded by other buildings. As a last resort, you can always call an exterminator who will eliminate rodents faster and more efficiently.
The expediency of people taking these animals into their homes, from a rational point of view, tends to zero. Because it only brings costs and complications. Consequently, the need to get a cat is dictated by psychological reasons. The way a cat sees a person is an example of direct integration into society at such a deep level that a refusal to connect with an animal can only appear under the pressure of need, as happens in villages. There cats are given away or drowned because they cannot feed them.
Cat behavior after sterilization and castration
Sterilization and castration are two different operations. Accordingly, after each of them cats behave differently.
A little about the terms
Sterilization is an operation to ligate the fallopian tubes in cats and the seminal ducts in cats (vasectomy). After it, the animal’s genitals remain in place and continue to produce hormones. Under their influence, the pet will still experience hormonal storms. Therefore, he may often experience stress, which is why he shows aggression. In addition, when sterilized, the animal often loses weight because it refuses to eat. It has the ability to mate, but not produce offspring.
Sterilization involves ligation of the fallopian tubes in cats and the seminal ducts in cats
Castration involves complete removal of the genitals. In a cat, these are the ovaries, which are often removed along with the uterus; in a cat, both testicles. Features of behavior - the animal stops marking its territory and screaming.
Cat behavior in the first days after surgery
The first day after sterilization or castration, most cats recover from anesthesia and therefore sleep. Typically, an animal's sleep lasts about 5–6 hours. When it wakes up, it makes several unsuccessful attempts to rise. If your cat manages to get up, be prepared for the fact that at first she will have poor orientation in space, falling and bumping into objects.
On the first day after sterilization, the cat is lethargic
The animal may try to hide, meow and call for help. In the first day or two after sterilization, you need to limit the cat’s interaction with children or other animals, as some pets behave aggressively after anesthesia. If this condition lasts more than 3 days, consult a veterinarian.
When you return home with your animal, wrap it in a warm blanket, since the cat’s body temperature usually drops after anesthesia. Do not place your pet in a place where he can fall (for example, on a chair) - it is better to place him on the floor, on a lounger. Don’t expect that after sterilization the animal will immediately want to eat - try to at least offer it water. By the evening of the second day, the cat should already show interest in food and become active.
Your pet may become aggressive when you touch its belly, and this is normal . However, you will still have to inspect the seams. Typically, 7–10 days after surgery, the animal completely returns to normal life.
Some owners note that after sterilization, their pets become more affectionate and more often ask to be held.
Our behavior changed after castration, well, we have a cat, and this cat really loved the water and began jumping into the bath so that they could play with him in the water.)))
Alekseevna
https://otvet.mail.ru/question/39099147
How does a person see his cat?
A small, fluffy bundle of joy - this is how almost every cat lover will describe their animal. There is nothing strange in this, because cats are quiet, calm, and affectionate. Unlike a dog, she doesn’t need to be exercised, she does an excellent job on her own, she doesn’t even need a walk. All this stimulates a person to look into these bottomless eyes, endure bites and scratches, attributing it to the fact that the animal is playing like that and believe in the selfless love of his “lump.” Would a person forgive a dog bite? Maybe the horse’s proud temper and aggression were put on the brakes? No. The only reason why a cat appears in the house is an object of care, sensuality, the “soft” half of a person’s personality, and the animals themselves understand this very well, readily exchanging their life of hand to mouth for the torment associated with the squeezing of the next guest of their “master.”
Precious gifts from a cat
By nature, cats are natural hunters. They happily chase toys, laser beams, birds, and small rodents. Having brought home another “trophy”, the cat shares the spoils with the owner, expressing gratitude for the attention and care. If the animal brought a gift, be sure to praise it for its generosity. Otherwise, the cat may be offended.
Cats also show their love during play. At the same time, biting, scratching, and menacing meowing do not at all mean aggression on the part of the pet. On the contrary, the one of the family members whom the furry animal has chosen as an object for play is the animal’s favorite. You can also talk about complete trust if the cat brings his toys, organizes an impromptu hunt, attacking you from hiding.
A cat's perspective
The way cats perceive people can only be summed up in one fact: they ignore people on purpose. Yes, this animal can experience emotions, pleasant or not, towards its owner, but just like in the wild, it will hide it. Why? Because this is a manifestation of weakness, which can be punished in the cruel world of predators. Thus, it is easy to note a direct correlation between the position of the animal and the external manifestation of its connections with humans. The more satisfying and autonomous a cat’s life seems, the weaker it reacts to its owner. The most common answer to the question of why cats like to sleep in public is the direct benefit of the animal, which receives more heat from the owner's body. So, if an animal receives food on time, lives in a warm house and has its own sleeping place, why should it look for additional points of contact with a person?
Manifestations of cat love
Contrary to the popular belief that cats are attached exclusively to the house and live with people for their own benefit, these animals, despite their independent nature, feel the need for love, attention and affection. Cats are smart, noble creatures, and if you treat them properly, create the most comfortable conditions, surround them with affection and warmth, they will definitely reciprocate. The affectionate cat's soul is capable of strong friendship with the owner and members of his family. But how can you tell that a cat loves its owner?
You can determine a cat's love and sympathy by the behavior and habits of your pet. From the first days of a kitten’s appearance in the house, it is very important to establish contact with the animal and create the most favorable, comfortable environment. Finding itself in an unusual, unfamiliar place, a kitten or an adult animal will be disoriented and will try to adapt to new conditions through hearing and smell.
During the adaptation period, an animal can be tamed only with a friendly attitude and care. The cat should feel completely safe. Representatives of the cat family are straightforward and frank, and cannot tolerate disrespectful or rude treatment. To win their sympathy, you need to earn the cat's trust. Furry pets remember the feeling of security all their lives and perceive their owner as a friend. Only in this case can you count on the love and tenderness of the cat’s soul.
"Big Cat"
Scientist John Bradshaw from the Institute of Anthrozoology in Bristol conducted a large-scale study, based on which he came to the conclusion that the way cats perceive people can be explained by the relationship between a younger and an older predator. Simply put, the beloved bundle of joy sees its owner as a big cat with which it shares its territory. The older predator brings food and protects the younger one, while the latter, as it seems to the animal itself, does not give anything in return, because the psychological connection is more characteristic of people.
Thus, the cat simply accepts dominance, remaining virtually free and can leave whenever it wishes. You should not think that this animal is attached to a specific person, since it has a slightly different feeling. It can be described as “the desire to prolong a profitable alliance.” That is, the cat feels “love” for certain qualities, such as: a warm home, protection, constant food, which, moreover, is tastier than hunting products.
Cat tenderness
If a cat rubs its muzzle against your legs, arms or face, this does not mean at all that the animal is “marking” its owner as property. On the head of cats there are secretory glands that secrete special substances that allow them to leave their scent on well-studied objects and people that do not pose a danger. The presence of such identification marks allows the animal to feel confident in the surrounding space. The manifestation of such signs of feline attention is another proof of the love, gratitude and trust of a pet to a person.
If a cat licks exposed parts of the body, rubs its whiskers on its hands and face, this is the highest degree of manifestation of cat love and devotion. Stroking a person with a paw is a sign of affection and tenderness. If a furry pet rolls from side to side at your feet, exposing its tummy, this indicates that the animal wants to attract attention, completely trusting you.
If a cat doesn’t trust a person, he will never let you touch his tail and will definitely grab your hand. A cat's tail is a kind of mood barometer. And if the cat follows you with its tail raised like a pipe, this means that it invites you to dialogue, demanding attention.
A sure sign of cat affection is “stomping,” shifting from paw to paw with claws extended. This habit begins in childhood, when babies stimulate the flow of milk. Adult animals thus show that they feel completely safe, they feel very good with their owner, just as they once did with their own mother.
Manifestations of “caring”
Often cat lovers are interested in why cats crush people with their paws. Some girls who become attached to an animal even begin to perceive themselves as its “mommy,” which is completely wrong. Yes, with these movements the cat is trying to stimulate the supply of food. In fact, this is an unconscious reflex from distant childhood, when the kitten tried to knead its mother for the flow of milk. As for why a cat lies on a person and purrs, there is a similar explanation given above. Thus, the animal absorbs the warmth of the “senior predator” and remains satisfied with it. Another popular question is: “Why do cats rub against people?” In this case, there is a manifestation of affection as a member of a pride or family.
Experiment on humans, dogs and cats
Once upon a time, British scientists conducted a funny experiment where the subjects were small children, dogs and cats. During the experiment, it was planned to find out whether they show protective attachment to their parents and owners. Initially, a parent with a child or an owner with a cat or dog entered the room. Then a third participant in the experiment appeared, who was supposed to distract the child or animal with games while the parent or owner quietly left the room.
The stranger gradually became acquainted with the test subjects, distracted them with a toy or conversation and completely captured their attention. Meanwhile, the parent or owner left the room. Then the stranger gradually stopped playing with the test subjects, allowing them to notice the absence of a loved one. Meanwhile, scientists carefully recorded the results.
Naivety of people
Very often people perceive a cat as a very gentle and affectionate animal. This is wrong. If the owner wants a faithful friend, he needs to take a dog; it is much more distant from its wild ancestors than cats. No, this does not mean at all that you should not take cats into your home, especially homeless ones. You just need to immediately understand that these animals will not fully look into a person’s eyes with love. Yes, they are devoted to a specific house, since most often they consider it their territory. They are good to play with, and the purring of a kitten is the best antidepressant. But if such a “lump” goes to the neighbors or just for a walk, you shouldn’t tear your hair out, the cat just always remains free.
Do cats have short memories?
Our pets, of course, are smart little animals, but a cat’s memory is different from a human’s. Cats are good at remembering things that involve pleasure, danger, or pain. They can distinguish the sound of a bag of food being opened or where the bowls are placed. But they will not remember aspects that are not of interest to them.
You need to understand that a cat lives here and now; if in the morning it breaks its owner’s favorite cup, then after an hour the pet no longer remembers about it. Therefore, you should never punish an animal for something it did some time ago; the cat no longer remembers this offense and may be offended.
But how long cats remember their owners depends on the level of affection and trust between them. Of course, the animal does not remember the color of its owner’s favorite jacket or the shade of lipstick, but it remembers care and love for a long time.
Interesting Facts
Few people know, but cats “communicate” by meowing only with humans. Thus, it is easy to note that felines' intelligence is more advanced than most people imagine. In addition, these animals know how to manipulate people. It’s worth taking a closer look at your fluffy little one, who has once again come up to rub against his legs; perhaps he has run out of food in his bowl, and the cat itself knows that a treat will follow the show of affection on its part. Too much care causes psychological torment to the animal. This especially affects how cats perceive children. You shouldn’t constantly cuddle the animal; it is still wilder than its other domesticated “brethren.”
Coupled with the fact that the cat was domesticated independently, this makes this category of pets simply “cohabitants” with humans. Don’t deceive yourself into thinking that this particular cat is loyal and understanding. However, all of the above does not negate the fact that fluffies are extremely affectionate and playful. It is quite possible that this is what makes them so beautiful in human eyes.
Cat pranks
Sometimes cats can show love in not entirely obvious, veiled ways. For example, if a pet sharpens its claws on upholstered furniture, this does not always mean that it is sharpening its “weapon.” Often, scratches left by sharp claws are nothing more than territory marks. You may notice that damage to furniture occurs in places where people like to spend time.
Oddly enough, you can tell whether cats love their owners by the smell of cat urine. Of course, such animal behavior must be stopped, but if a cat defecates in shoes or even on the bed, this means that this is how he attracts attention to his person. This behavior may also indicate that the animal has suffered stress, for example due to moving to a new place of residence or as a result of a long separation from the owner.
Do not forget that cats are independent, confident animals, capable of making their own decisions. Despite the fact that they need affection and attention, cats have a need for personal space and are not always ready to communicate with humans. You should not bother your pet with excessive attention if he decides to retire and relax. Maintain balance in your relationship and your pet will love and trust you even more.
