Cats have long been known for their aloof and independent personalities. Unlike dogs, who aim to please their owners, cats tend to do as they please and interact with humans largely on their own terms. This has led many cat owners to wonder – do cats think they’re human? Or do they recognize us as a different species? While we can’t get inside the mind of cats, research and cat behavior can provide some clues.
Do cats think we’re just big cats?
One common theory is that cats view their human owners as just big cats. Cats use a range of communication methods with each other, including meowing, purring, blinking slowly, kneading, rubbing, and scent marking. Many cats will extend this same type of communication to their human owners, which suggests they put us in the same category as fellow cats.
For example, when cats knead or rub against their owners, they are likely doing what they would do to either their mother as kittens or to another cat in affection. The same goes for blinking slowly at you – this communicates affection and trust in cat language. Meowing is not typically a sound cats make to each other, but they learn it gets your attention, similar to how they might meow for their mother’s attention. So it seems cats relate to us within their existing social structure.
Do cats think they’re the alpha animal?
Cats are still independent hunters at heart. In nature, cats do not run in packs like dogs but instead operate alone. As solitary hunters, house cats likely still think of themselves as the alpha animal in their environment. Their aloofness, pickiness about interaction, and expectation that their needs be met all suggest they view themselves as the ruler of their domain.
Cats may see humans as just assistants that help provide food, shelter, and affection when required. For example, when a cat demands to be fed or let outside, they expect their human to respond. Cats also show no shame about asserting themselves, whether leaping onto counters or a keyboard when you’re busy. This evidence suggests cats do not see themselves as subservient to humans in the household hierarchy.
Do cats bond with their owners?
While less demonstrative in their affection than dogs, cats do form real bonds with their human owners. A 2019 study from Oregon State University found that cats form secure attachments to their owners similar to babies and dogs. Just like human children or puppies, most cats preferred their owner over a stranger.
Signs of attachment from cats may be more subtle than in dogs, but include behaviors like greeting you at the door, curling up on your lap to sleep, rubbing against you, and kneading you with their paws. Cats are most likely to show affection on their own terms, while dogs eagerly shower their owners with unconditional love at all times. But both form close bonds.
Do cats understand humans are a different species?
While cats relate to us through their existing feline social framework, research suggests they do recognize humans are a different species. A 2009 study from Japan tested cats’ reactions to three types of stimuli: a cat’s face, a human’s face, and a blank control. The cats showed greater pupil dilation and eye movement tracking when shown human faces compared to cat faces, indicating recognition of humans as distinct.
Cats also read human social cues for things like where to find food or when you are upset. Their meowing and communicative behaviors are tailored to interacting with humans differently than they interact with fellow cats. So while cats view and relate to us through a feline lens, they do seem to grasp that humans are a separate species.
Do cats think like humans?
Cat brains differ significantly from human brains in some key ways that likely impact their inner thought processes:
- Less developed prefrontal cortex – The prefrontal cortex handles higher level thinking in humans including decision making, problem solving, and social behaviors. Cats do not have as much activity in this region.
- More primitive cortex – The cortex region handles things like sensory perception, spatial awareness, emotions. Cats have higher activity in these more primitive cortex areas.
- Less coordinated brain hemispheres – The two hemispheres of the human brain work very closely together. Cats appear to have less connectivity between hemispheres.
With less complex coordinated activity or thinking across much of their brain, it suggests cat cognition works more on instinct, basic emotions, and environmental responses than abstract thought. So while cats recognize us as humans, they likely do not ponder things in the same rational, analytical way people do. Their thoughts center more on instinct, emotion, and reaction.
Why do cats chirp at birds?
Cats have a strong predatory instinct to hunt, so when they see birds through the window they often react with an excited chirping sound. Some reasons cats chirp at birds include:
- Mimicking prey – The chirp imitates the sound of a bird or rodent to try luring them closer.
- Frustration – They can’t get to the bird and are frustrated, similar to pawing at the window.
- Excitment – The sight triggers their instinct to hunt so they get riled up.
- Attention – Some cats learn the chirping gets your attention.
So the chirping stems from a mix of instinct and learned behavior. It serves different functions like trying to mimic prey or expressing frustration. Next time your cat chirps when a bird lands nearby, she’s essentially shouting her hunting excitement.
Why do cats knead with their paws?
That rhythmic kneading and treading cats do with their front paws originates from instinctive nursing behaviors as kittens:
- Kittens knead their mother to stimulate milk flow while nursing. The kneading and claw motion helps release more milk.
- Kittens may continue kneading their mother to show bonding and contentment.
- Adult cats continue this kneading behavior to show happiness and contentment, like when sitting in a favorite lap or blanket.
- The motion releases comforting endorphins and helps cats mark an object with scent glands in their paws.
So feline kneading expresses contentment, marking “ownership”, and goes back to the earliest nursing instincts. You can feel special knowing when your cat kneads in your lap, he’s essentially saying this is his happy place.
Why do cats bringing “gifts” of dead animals?
Many puzzled cat owners have experienced their cat leaving “gifts” of dead or half-dead rodents and birds on the doorstep. But what compels cats to deliver these morbid presents? Some possible explanations for this behavior include:
- Hunting instinct – Your cat has a strong inborn drive to hunt. Catching prey satisfies this even if they’re not hungry.
- Teaching skills – Cats bring kills to their kittens to teach them hunting skills. They may see you as their kitten.
- Providing food – Your cat wants to provide for you by bringing fresh prey.
- Showing affection – Gift-giving is a bonding behavior for cats. Yours wants to connect.
- Attention – Bringing gory gifts gets you to react, rewarding your cat.
So while the dead mouse on your doorstep may not be appealing, your cat likely means it as a thoughtful gift and sign of bonding or wanting to teach you. Take it as a compliment!
Do cats feel guilt or remorse?
Cat owners have long wondered if their cat’s sad, ashamed behavior after being scolded shows real guilt and remorse. Recent research suggests not:
- Cats lack higher analytical thinking needed for moral emotions like guilt.
- Their “guilty look” is just fear of punishment or scolding.
- Cats don’t associate “bad” behaviors with punishment later on.
- They simply learn some actions get them yelled at.
So while it may look like your cat feels bad after being caught doing something like clawing the couch, they are just afraid of getting in trouble again. They don’t reflect on their actions as “good” or “bad”, only your immediate approval or anger. So don’t worry – your cat isn’t plagued by existential guilt over her catnip mouse addiction.
Do cats get jealous?
Cat owners sometimes report their cats acting out when a new pet is introduced. Are cats really prone to jealousy? Research shows a complex picture:
- Cats do not seem capable of complex emotions like jealousy over relationships.
- They can feel and act out of territorial jealousy.
- When a new pet gets attention, they may react to the territory infringement.
- Fear, stress, or marking territory can explain “jealous” behaviors.
Rather than abstract jealous emotions, cats likely display territorial behaviors from fear, stress, or desire to mark areas or owners. To help introduce a new pet, use tactics like keeping them separate at first and giving your existing cat plenty of one-on-one attention and playtime to make them feel secure.
Do cats have a theory of mind?
Theory of mind refers to the ability to attribute thoughts, emotions, desires, and intentions to others. Extensive research on cats’ social cognition shows mixed evidence on this capacity:
- Cats do not demonstrate complex social intelligence seen in humans and apes.
- They seem capable of simple theory of mind such as intent and goals.
- Mother cats understand kittens’ needs.
- They manipulate humans well to get needs met.
- Their social skills focus on survival, not abstract thinking.
Overall, cats have basic theory of mind abilities like sensing intent in others or manipulating humans. But they lack higher abstract thinking about others’ mental states. Their social intelligence revolves around survival, emotion, and instinct rather than complex analysis of those around them. A cat may sense your sadness or joy, but not ponder your deepest hopes and fears.
Do cats display empathy?
While cats do not have fully complex theory of mind, research shows they do display some basic forms of empathy:
- Cats may mimic their owners’ positive emotions.
- When owners smile and talk happily, cats become more cheerful.
- When owners are sad, cats often comfort them.
- Mother cats understand and care for distressed kittens.
- Cats often respond to crying kittens by caring for them.
So while they may not ponder the full range of human emotion, cats do emotionally connect and respond to distress in others. When your cat head-butts you after you’ve had a bad day or cares for a crying kitten, take it as a meaningful display of basic empathic understanding.
Conclusion: A unique feline perspective
While we can never fully know what goes on inside the mind of a cat, research and observation provide clues on how cats perceive us. Cats relate to humans through their instincts and emotions, recognizing us as their providers while also asserting their dominance. They form affectionate bonds and can understand our intent and emotions to a degree.
However, cats likely do not reflect deeply on human or even fellow feline mental states. With less developed rational thought, their inner world focuses more on primal needs, territoriality, and environmental response. So while your cat understands you have a different perspective than her, she dwells in the moment, embracing each day through her unique feline lens. Our pets have a special way of living that we would do well to emulate – staying present, joyful, and attuned to our instincts.