Know how to cherish love...
Children, pensioners, housewives and businesswomen, hard workers and politicians - people of all ages and professions are united by their love of cats.
Do cats love their owners?
Or are we just strange, clumsy creatures created to satisfy the everyday needs of mustachioed princes and princesses?
There is an opinion that cats, unlike dogs, do not become attached to people and always remain animals that “go where they please and walk on their own.”
As a rule, this view is held by people whose knowledge about cats is based on common stereotypes, and not on communication with a real, living, furry pet.
Anyone in whose home an animal is not a piece of furniture, but a friend and companion, will confirm that a cat feels no less love for its owner than a dog. She just expresses her feelings differently, not so noisily and openly.
Of course, if the cat and the owner are united by a long-term history that began at the moment of the purr’s birth, the person becomes the animal’s second mother, the most beloved creature and the only “blesser” - in general, if you raised a kitten yourself, its affection is practically guaranteed. Achieving the love of an adult cat is more difficult, but also possible.
First meeting
Breeders have a lot of funny stories about how buyers agreed on one kitten over the phone, but left the nursery with a completely different one - a different color, gender and even a different breed!
I wonder how we choose cats or... how cats choose their owner? Who really makes this choice, us or them?
Many stories are generally similar: “The kittens were running around the room, playing with a teaser. And he came up to us and rubbed his face on his daughter’s hand. We immediately realized that this was our kitten, because he came out to meet us.”
It is not clear whether cats recognize their owners at first sight or whether this is an accident, but breeders believe that kittens feel “their” family and almost always accurately determine with whom they will be more comfortable. In such cases, breeders say: “They chose each other with their hearts, everything will probably be fine.”
addictive
Do cats become attached to their owners or is it just a habit? Once in a new home, the kitten is scared and disoriented. He was lost - no mother, no familiar people, his brothers and sisters had disappeared somewhere.
The kid explores the room, looking around fearfully and, as soon as he does so, runs under the bed. Smells, sounds - everything is new.
Animal psychologists consider this moment surprising and decisive in many ways, since cats choose their owner right now, in a moment of weakness, when the kitten has an infinite need for someone strong and confident, someone who will protect him from invisible dangers and teach him how to behave. in a new place.
Do you want the kitten to choose you as its owner? Then you need to find out in advance what kind of people cats like.
The choice rarely falls on children: the child is delighted with the appearance of a kitten in the house, he is overwhelmed with emotions - there is joy, curiosity, and a desire to quickly take a new friend in his arms and touch the fur.
The mother of a happy family is no less emotional: “Oh, how cute! Just don't pee on the carpet - this is your toilet. And here are your bowls, and here is your lounger.”
Surely you have already guessed why cats love men and why, despite the fact that more often a woman feeds and cares for a pet, it is a man that the kitten chooses to be the head of the family.
Dad is calm, not fussy, and does not try to pull the kitten for any reason. He is a rock, he is reliable, he exudes confidence.
And the cat remembers this feeling of security all its life, connecting it with the chosen person. Only next to him she is as relaxed as possible, she feels calm and good, she feels safe.
You wonder: “Why do cats love me?” Perhaps it is precisely for this reason - you are not fussy and self-confidence emanates from you.
And a confident person, from the cat’s point of view, is the owner of the territory, and only he can drive away any enemy, knows where the best prey is and where the most comfortable places to rest are.
Do cats become attached to their owners? Definitely yes. How else can you explain the pet’s desire to always be there, as close as possible, to always watch the owner’s actions?
Just do not confuse this feeling with worship - there is nothing in common. A cat does not consider a person to be an owner, she sees him as a protector, a friend - why not love?
Confidence
Do cats love their owners if there is no trusting relationship between them? Zoologists are inclined to give a negative answer, and therefore, in order to win the love of a wayward little one, you must first teach her to trust you.
People are more complex emotionally; our love can coexist with feelings such as jealousy and mistrust. The cat is straightforward and frank. She is a loner and a predator.
These behavioral and species characteristics do not allow a cat to love “in spite of”, as, for example, dogs love even those who are cruel to them.
Here lies another answer to the question: “Why do cats love me?” You are probably not trying to “take the fortress by storm”, but are showing respect through affection and persuasion.
A cat does not trust a person if he constantly tries to force her to do something: he holds her by force during grooming procedures, roughly throws her off the table, carelessly moves her out of her way.
From here it is clear what kind of people cats love - those who are careful in their actions, unobtrusive, and able to negotiate.
Trusting someone who has wrapped you in a blanket, grabs you painfully by the paws, and even screams while cutting your claws is nonsense for a cat.
Parting
Do cats miss their owners when they go to work or go on vacation at sea? Of course yes, if the cat is truly attached to the family.
Neighbors and friends, in whose care they leave their pets, tell how cats worry, pacing from room to room, how they look for their loved ones, what their names are, meowing under the door. Or they stare out the window for hours.
At the moment of the long-awaited meeting, the cat caresses, arches its back, holds its tail like a pipe, purrs - there is happiness!
And they hug... Isn't this love?
Perhaps someone will decide that it’s all about hunger or boredom, but in those cases when the cat was well looked after in the absence of “her” person, she still behaves in the same way - clearly showing how happy she is to have her owner back.
Different cats show their feelings in different ways. The aristocratic Briton greets the owner with a friendly “purr”, the playful Burmese jumps around almost like a dog, and the gentle Siamese cuddles with her whole body, like a child missing his mother.
Emotional restraint is not a manifestation of coldness, but a character trait.
Do cats remember their owners if they had to give the pet to a new family? Definitely yes, because even a meeting with a breeder a few years later clearly shows that the cat greets the first person in its life more kindly than a stranger.
All their lives, these little predators remember the kindness, love and care of a loved one, but they also remember the pain that was caused to them - they can attack the offender a few years later at a chance meeting.
Fortunately, ethologists answer the question in the negative: “Do cats miss their owners if they had to give the pet to a new home?” Why fortunately? But because under such conditions you don’t have to worry about the emotional state of the given pet.
At first, the cat will look for “its” family, but soon it will switch its attention to its new owners, fall in love with them and live happily.
This does not mean that she has forgotten everything - upon meeting, associative memory will tell you who is in front of her: old images and feelings associated with the previous owners will appear in her memory.
There are many different stories about how the owner first met his pet. Bought from breeders, taken from a nursery, picked up on the street, etc. But who really chooses, the owner or the cat?
How do pets really perceive their owner? After all, as you know, they “walk on their own” and are only partially tamed, unlike dogs that remain devoted to their owner until the end of their days.
It is convenient for some to believe that they are loved, while others persistently seek a reciprocal feeling, turning into a servant rather than a master. There remain a proud few who do not elevate the cat to the pedestal of “The most amazing creature in the world” and perceive it as just another member of the household. Oddly enough, but for the most part it is the latter who get the sincere feelings of the animal.
Do cats really love their owners?
addictive
Can cats love? Maybe they are just getting used to a new home, where it is warm and comfortable, where they are fed and nurtured?
When finding itself in new conditions and with strangers, it doesn’t matter whether the cat is an adult or a small one, it experiences severe stress and becomes disoriented. The animal will become attached first of all to the one who will feed it, protect it from annoying family members and teach it to live in a new place.
Men are most often chosen as cat owners because they are not fussy and pay attention to the animal when it approaches it. No intrusiveness or emotionality.
With whom the cat feels the most relaxed, she can fall asleep next to him, and will be favorable towards him.
You should not perceive the constant presence of a pet near worship. She simply watches you, feels your superiority, directed to her protection.
First meeting with a pet
In most cases, this gentle creature comes into our home as a kitten. He is scared, it seems to him that he is lost, there is no one close to him. The kitten begins to carefully explore the rooms, timidly hiding at the slightest noise, scurrying under cabinets and beds. But this particular moment is very important. In a moment of such weakness, the cat chooses its patron. She urgently needs a reliable, strong protector who will protect her from invisible dangers. How does a cat choose its beloved owner? Everything happens on an instinctive level.
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When meeting a small cat for the first time, the whole family is in an excited state. Mom tries to explain to her where the sun lounger, toilet, and plate of food are. The child does not miss the opportunity to cuddle the cat and show how much he loves it. The only one who remains completely calm is dad. That is why the animal often chooses men as the head of the family . They radiate self-confidence and do not fuss. This means they can protect you. Now the mother of the family will feed the cat, love, care for her, but she will express her favor to the already chosen owner.
Trust and deeper feelings
Cats are more straightforward than people. They are incapable of doubt and mistrust. Plus they are terrible owners. Loners, predators, will never love their owner in spite of, like dogs, and in spite of everything. Abusing her will take away the sense of security that was mentioned earlier. And without this there will be no trust.
Some people say: “Cats love me.” Most likely, for your passivity. They try to avoid those who “take the fortress by storm.” A cat will not be able to trust a person who will constantly tell her what to do and try to control her.
If a cat considers you its owner, it will be bored while you are at work or away. Even if you have been away for a very long time, he may be afraid at first, but then he recognizes the smell and voice, and again begins to caress and climb into your arms. The cat will look for a long-absent owner around the house, calling, meowing under the front door.
The long-awaited meeting with a loved one and recognition will be accompanied by the sound of a cute purr, “rubbing” on legs with an arched back and a tail pipe. A cat that is bored for a long time may even refuse to eat and become sad. Isn't this love?
Why do cats yawn after sleep? Yawning is an involuntary deep breath, which is needed to ventilate the lungs and saturate the blood with oxygen, because during sleep, animals and people breathe in a different mode than during wakefulness. Cats also yawn and stretch before hunting. At this moment, the heart pumps enriched blood to the muscles, supplying them with the energy necessary for rapid throws. Not only cats, but even fish yawn when they need to pick up speed. Animals can yawn and when they are alarmed by something, they see an enemy or food - in a word, in all situations where it is necessary to react quickly.
In the world of digital photography, interesting black and white photographs are becoming increasingly rare. And today - luck. On the page of Tony Castelvecchi there was a magnificent photo called “Country Cat”. Tony has been photographing professionally since 1969, and his work includes a lot of children's portraits. This photo was taken in August of this year in Michigan, you look at it and rejoice - they are so wonderful - both the girl and the cat.
This furry family was rescued by a girl from Beijing, Vera, who is involved in animal protection. If you thought that this was a mother with kittens, you were mistaken. The photo shows the father of the family. This is a short-haired cat of the white and red Van color (not to be confused with the Turkish Van). His eyes are in perfect harmony with his color, and in the photo we see that he perfectly conveys these characteristics to kittens. The mother is a long-haired cat, a beautiful, rich tortoiseshell-tabby color. This couple has already had two litters, some of the kittens look like the mother, others look exactly like the father. Photo source https://www.flickr.com/photos/miioo/
Meet Charlie and Lucy, the beloved cats of Irene Wehrli from Switzerland. She lives in a small village, takes a lot of photographs and loves her British cats of a delightful, stunning merle color.
It is much more difficult for a cat to go down a tree than to climb up; it usually does this by putting it in reverse. This is due to the structure of the cat’s claws and their insufficient power to support the weight of the animal descending head down. But this beauty (or handsome man) shows us excellent skills, although she is a little afraid. The author of the photo could not be found out
These cheerful, friendly kittens were found on the blog of Laura, a lover of nature and coffee, a researcher by nature. She says that she sees the world through the lens of a camera. And indeed it is!
Another photo from the “Cats are like people” collection. Admit it, have you ever returned home after a good party at least once in your life?
The favorites of the old gentleman from Lausanne - Krakot and Kalipet - do not refuse anything. What do you think these two magnificent sacred Burmas do in the evenings? They are dancing tango! In any case, this is what their owner thinks, who took this beautiful photo.
William Wood took this photo of his cat with a 14mm fisheye lens. It turned out funny! William Wood https://www.flickr.com/photos//albums/with/72157651277893969
Petra Wendt from Germany loves photographing cats. This gorgeous handsome guy with an amazing mustache is called Emil, and the photo is called "sitting on an ironing board "wink" smiley"
“Hide, I’m counting to 100!” This is what amateur photographer from Bordeaux called Elena Rideau. She shoots just for fun and prefers paintings of nature, flora and fauna. Her cats turn out great!
Belen Thomas from Oregon called this photo “Meerkat Cat.” Indeed, peeking out from the dense thickets, the pussy is very similar to this small mammal. Just like meerkats, cats often stand in a column and examine the surrounding space, but not out of fear, but out of curiosity, sometimes freezing for a long time if they are very interested in something.
Some cats know how to cross the road, but such skills are rare. Usually they jump out like an arrow onto the roadway, either out of fear or running away from someone... Drivers need to remember this both in cities and in rural areas, especially now, in the fall, when the darkness has increased significantly and the roads are wet. Photo by Belen Thomas.
Look after your cats! Always remember the old English proverb “Curiosity killed the cat!” True, not everyone knows that it also has a continuation “... but having satisfied it, she was resurrected!” (Curiosity killed the cat, but satisfaction brought it back). Indeed, the curiosity of the mustachioed brethren often prevails over caution, and our pets often find themselves in difficult situations. Despite the fact that, thanks to their agility and agility, they usually get out of them safely, it doesn’t hurt to keep an eye on them. (photo author unknown)
Meet Coconut and Caramel. These cute kittens were taken by Marie-Therese from Alsace. Not everyone knows that an ordinary cat’s litter can easily give birth to a kitten with a Siamese color (color point). For example, the mother of these kittens is black. Photo by Marie-Thérèse
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, how do these unique animals show their sympathy for humans?
How does a pet show affection?
Many breeders are interested in the question of whether cats know how to love their owner. Zoologists say that first the owner needs to teach the animal to trust him. Cats are capricious, but quite straightforward. They will not love “in spite of”, like a yard dog who sincerely expresses devotion even to the owner who constantly bullies him. The cat is a predator and loves solitude. Finding an approach to her is much more difficult; it is impossible to force her to love. But if a meowing creature recognizes its protector in its owner, it expresses this in the most accessible and understandable ways .
- Presents gifts in the form of the carcass of a killed rodent or bird. Cats show that they, too, are willing to share something with their owner.
- Shows belly, which is unusual for these proud, independent animals. If a cat likes to roll over on its back in the presence of its owner, it means that it feels comfortable and completely safe.
- Gently “butts” the owner, which means an expression of ownership. The cat recognizes the person and wants to show him that she also loves him in her own way.
- Constantly hanging around. The cat loves to rub against your legs. This is how she demonstrates to the owner that she wants to be as close as possible. Although it's worth paying attention to her bowl. Perhaps she simply ran out of water or food.
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In addition, there are several more obvious signs by which one can determine unmistakably cat love. If a meowing creature tramples its owner like dough, then this is the most pronounced sign that the animal is strongly attached . Cats have sweat glands on their paw pads. When pets actively trample their owner, increased secretion begins. They have a specific smell. It is inaccessible to the human sense of smell, but animals feel and understand it perfectly. This is how the cat cleverly marks its feeder, who loves her.
Scientist's opinion on the relationship between pets and owners
It doesn’t matter who the owner perceives his pet as. Some treat their pets as if they were their own children, others consider them true friends who brighten up loneliness. Cute cats are entertained, cared for, loved, fed with various goodies and called daughters and sons. However, according to scientists, pets do not share such emotional impulses. These proud, independent animals perceive humans as just another cat of enormous size. Moreover, she has to live in the same territory with her.
Under the leadership of John Bradshaw, director of the Institute of Anthrozoology, numerous studies were carried out. An outstanding scientist has been analyzing the habits of all domesticated animals for several decades. The information obtained allows us to explain a lot and understand whether cats are capable of love. It turns out that they still cannot be called completely domesticated. Unlike dogs, they have not gone far from their wild ancestors. The reason was the people themselves. Humans initially had certain requirements for dogs. They were supposed to protect the house and help during the hunt.
Cats have been loved since ancient times. But they were basically required to do only one thing: destroy mice and rats. Cats were close to humans, but at the same time they had an independent lifestyle. The need for emotional relationships in people has appeared relatively recently. People began to wonder whether cats know how to love their owner and how to achieve their affection. However, John provides disappointing statistics. More than 80% of domestic pets mate with outdoor animals. Therefore, overall the species still remains relatively untamed and wild.
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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 understand 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.
Who is this person?
As mentioned above, cats have no idea that they might have an owner. But how then do they perceive people? As who?
For a cat, a person is a certain creature that is a cross between a big cat and a surrogate mother, with very illogical behavior. They quite seriously think that they are simply sharing territory with a person, and not living in his apartment.
These animals really feel love for people and a great need to communicate with them (by the way, the result of one study showed that about half of cats will choose the latter between tasty food and interaction with humans).
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Eye contact
One of the signs of a cat showing love and tenderness towards its owner is eye contact. Representatives of the cat family do not like long, close gaze and perceive it as a threat. Therefore, prolonged visual contact is only possible if the animal completely trusts you. If eye contact is complemented by a leisurely blink, you can rest assured that you have earned the cat’s trust and received a kind of “cat kiss” from your pet.
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 games. 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.
The cat shows you its furry butt
Cats can express their love through playing with their owner. At a young age, kittens play for so long that they never seem to get tired. They can scratch, bite and get real pleasure from it. The family member who receives more attention is usually the animal’s favorite.
Sometimes this cat habit seems ridiculous to us. Why did the cat raise its tail again and poke its butt in the owner’s face? The answer is simple. This is how she shows you her trust and affection, and also greets you. Know that she will not perform this ritual with the “first person she meets.” You are among the chosen ones. This habit also takes its roots from cat childhood, when kittens thus greeted their mother returning from the hunt.
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 open parts of the body, rubs its whiskers on its hands, its face is the highest degree of manifestation of cat’s 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 a cat's 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.
Joint gatherings
A cat, like any other animal, must have its own personal space and territory where it can retire for sleep or rest. But a sense of comfort is not the only motive that drives pets. Sometimes an animal, in need of attention, is ready to sit and even lie in an uncomfortable position just to be close to its beloved owner. If your cat chooses a place to rest next to you and tries to climb onto your lap, rest assured, this is another way of showing her love.
Everyone knows that cats sleep most of the day and can spend up to 20 hours sleeping. But it is in their sleep that they feel most vulnerable, so they prefer to rest in the safest places. If the cat lies down at the feet, next to the owner, this indicates complete trust. This means that the animal feels completely safe with you.
