Do Cats Think Humans Are Cute? Exploring Feline Social Perception
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Cats are absolutely adorable, and there’s even scientific proof that kittens are biologically designed to be cute and capture our attention.1 There’s no denying that humans think cats are cute, but what do cats think about humans?
While more research needs to be done on the relationship between humans and cats, the research that we do have indicates that it’s unlikely cats view humans as cute. Based on observations, cats probably view humans as social partners or familiar companions, not as “cute.”
Of course, this doesn’t mean that cats can’t feel affectionate towards their human companions. We’ll go over cats’ perspectives on humans and how it plays a role in our relationship with them.
How Do Cats View Humans?
It’s most likely that cats view humans as their social equals within a mixed-species social group rather than as a different category of being.2 It’s common for dogs to change their behavior when they interact with humans. For example, dogs can adopt different play styles when they’re playing with other dogs and when they’re playing with their human companions.
In contrast, cats don’t really seem to change and adjust their behavior around humans. They seem to treat humans similar to how they treat other cats. They show affection to humans in the same ways they show affection to each other. They can rub their faces against humans, sit by them, and groom them, which are all behaviors that cats can display when they’re with feline companions.
It's unlikely that cats think humans are cute. Instead, it’s hypothesized that they view humans as large, friendly cats or as social partners and will, therefore, treat them as such.
Do Cats View Their Owners as Their Parents?
Even if cats don’t view humans as cute, they can still feel affection for humans and develop strong bonds with them. A study that focused on the bond between humans and cats discovered that both kittens and adult cats are capable of forming attachment bonds to their human caregivers that are similar to human parents and babies. If you’re caring for a young kitten, especially if they’ve been separated from their feline mother, they can start to see you as their caregiver, and for a bond similar to the parent-offspring relationship they have with their mothers.
Signs Your Cat Loves You
No matter a cat’s age, they can form a positive relationship with their human companions and show love to them. Of course, they’ll express these behaviors in ways that are natural to their species, which can differ from common human expressions of love and affection. For example, cats can show affiliation to one another by headbutting each other. They do this because they have glands on their face that contain pheromones. When they rub or headbutt, they’re depositing scent marks that identify members of their social group. Therefore, if your cat headbutts you, you can interpret it as a sign that they’re comfortable with you and consider you part of their social circle.
Cats also show that they feel comfortable and safe when they’re blinking slowly. You can try giving your cat a slow blink and see if they return the gesture. Receiving a slow blink from a cat is one of the highest compliments you can receive from them because it shows that they feel relaxed and safe around you.
Other unique ways that cats demonstrate positive social bonds include kneading or “making biscuits” on you. They may try to groom you or expose their belly, or purr when you pet them. Some cats may start to follow their owners around from room to room inside your house and wait by the door to greet them when they return home.
Conclusion
The way that cats show care and affection to humans is similar to how they show them to other cats. So, it’s likely that cats see humans as their big cat friends or trusted social partners. Cats don’t need to view humans as cute in order for them to feel love and affection for them. They’ll show that they like us in their own cat ways, and we can continue to adore our cats whenever we see them being cute.
Sources
Featured Image Credit: VH studio, Shutterstock
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Jessica is a freelance writer who spends most of her day researching and writing while her fluffy Cavapoo, Nora, naps beside her. She loves and appreciates pets and animals because there’s so much to learn from them, and they do so much for people. As a dog owner, she understands the special connection that pet owners form with their pets. She loves sharing helpful information that people can use to better understand their pets. When she’s not writing, you can find her walking dogs, tending to her plant babies, or drinking her nth cup of coffee.
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