Do Cats Think You’re Just as Cute as You Think They Are?
If you’re a cat owner, you’ve probably looked into your furry friend’s eyes and asked yourself, “Does my cat think I’m as cute as I think they are?” You lavish your cat with affection, but does your cat return those feelings? Or are they simply tolerating your baby talk, cuddles, and gifts because you serve up the kibble? Cats may not show affection in the same demonstrative ways as dogs, but research suggests they do find us endearing – even if they seem too cool to admit it.
In this article, we’ll explore evidence indicating cats find humans cute and form attachment bonds similar to human caregiver relationships. From responding to “sweet talk” to gazing lovingly into our eyes, there are signs our feline companions find us just as adorable as we find them.
Cats Show Affection Differently Than Dogs
Cats can show affection in more subtle ways than dogs. While dogs may exhibit overt displays of affection like licking, cuddling, and following their owners around, cats tend to show their feelings through smaller behaviors and body language. Some common ways cats demonstrate affection include kneading, head butting, slow blinking, purring, and grooming their owners.
Kneading is when a cat presses its paws into something or someone repeatedly, often while purring. This behavior originates from kittens kneading their mother’s belly to stimulate milk production, but adult cats continue to use it as a way to show contentment and affection. A cat kneading its owner’s lap is a sign that it feels safe and bonded.
Head butting and nuzzling also indicate a cat’s fondness. Cats have scent glands on their heads, faces, and tails, so when they gently bump these areas against you they are spreading their scent and marking you as familiar. It’s a form of cat “kissing” and a way to blend scents together as a social group.
Slow blinking is another affectionate cat behavior. When a cat slowly blinks at you, it shows they feel calm and trusting in your presence. You can return the gesture by blinking slowly back at your cat to communicate mutual affection.
So while they may not be as overtly demonstrative as dogs, cats absolutely express love for their human companions through actions like kneading, nuzzling, purring, and slow blinking. Paying attention to their body language allows you to see how bonded they feel.
Cats Respond to Human Baby Talk
Research shows that cats respond positively to human baby talk, suggesting they find the higher pitch cute in the same way that humans find kittens cute. A 2022 study by Charlotte de Mouzon and colleagues at Université Paris Nanterre found that cats were more attentive and reacted faster when their owners used high-pitched voices and repetitive words, like humans use with babies (Smithsonian). When strangers used baby talk towards cats, there was no change in response, indicating cats have a special bond with their owners.
The baby talk response supports the idea that cats see their owners as attachment figures. Baby talk from owners grabs the cat’s attention and facilitates bonding. So go ahead and use that high-pitched “who’s the cutest kitty” voice – your cat probably loves it!
Cats Gaze at Humans for Bonding
Research has shown that mutual gazing between cats and humans can help facilitate bonding, similar to the way sustained eye contact bonds humans. A 2020 study published in the journal Frontiers in Psychology found that when cats gaze at their owners, it activates the same neural regions associated with bonding, attachment, and reward in both the cat and human (Koyasu, 2020). This suggests cats form affectionate bonds with their owners in a similar way as human infants bond with caregivers through mutual gaze.
According to cat behaviorist Marilyn Krieger, “When a cat stares at you, they are touching you with their eyes…You can literally feel it. This is a deep, intimate form of cat communication” (Krieger, 2022). A cat’s gaze not only conveys affection, but also serves to deepen the emotional connection and relationship between cat and owner.
Cats Bring Owners Gifts
One of the most perplexing behaviors cats demonstrate is bringing “gifts” of dead mice, birds, or other small animals to their owners. This tendency has its roots in natural feline hunting behaviors. In the wild, mother cats will bring home dead or injured prey to teach their kittens how to hunt and eat. The mother cat is also showing her kittens that she can provide food for them.
Domestic cats retain this instinct to bring their owners “gifts” of prey. It suggests that cats view their human caregivers as incapable of caring for themselves. By leaving dead animals on doorsteps or in beds, cats are attempting to teach their owners how to hunt and feed themselves. It’s an expression of cats’ natural role as providers and protectors within their family groups.
While owners may not appreciate the gruesome gifts, they are actually a sign of cats’ bond with and affection for their humans. Cats are trying to care for owners the only way they know how – by bringing food. So next time your cat leaves a “present” on your doorstep, try not to be too disgusted. They truly believe they are helping you out!
Sources:
https://www.purina.co.uk/articles/cats/behaviour/common-questions/why-do-cats-bring-you-dead-animals
https://weddingtonanimalhospital.com/cats-bring-home-animals/
Cats Snuggle with Owners They are Bonded With
One of the key ways cats show affection for their human owners is through snuggling and cuddling up close. Unlike some misconceptions, cats do enjoy physical contact with their trusted humans and will often snuggle up against an owner they feel bonded with.
According to pet behaviorists, when a cat snuggles up against your body and tucks themselves under an arm or on a lap, it demonstrates they feel safe, secure, and affectionate with their owner. Source. Cats only allow this close contact with humans they are very comfortable with.
The snuggling behavior shows the cat has developed a strong bond and trusts their owner. In fact, research has found that when a cat chooses to snuggle with a human, it causes the release of oxytocin, also known as the “love hormone,” in both the cat and human. This reinforces the caring bond between the affectionate feline and its trusted owner.
Cats Groom Their Owners
Cats show affection to owners in ways that are different from typical human interactions or even how dogs show affection. An example is when cats groom their owners by licking them. This licking behavior on humans mirrors how cats groom other cats they share social bonds and affection with (WebMD).
A cat’s tongue has small barbs on it that allow it to groom itself and other cats by licking. When a cat grooms a human by licking them, it is showing social bonding and affection in the way cats naturally relate to other cats (Treehugger). This grooming behavior releases oxytocin in the cat which strengthens the human-cat bond (The Spruce Pets).
Cats Respond to Their Names
Research shows that cats do recognize their own names, even if they don’t always respond when called. A 2019 study published in Scientific American found that cats’ brains process their names differently than other random sounds. When their owners called their names, areas of the cats’ brains associated with decision-making and reward lit up.
This suggests that cats form a connection and bond with their owners similarly to dogs. They recognize their names as an important signal, even if they don’t come when called every time. Additional research has confirmed cats can identify their names amid other words. So while cats may seem more aloof than dogs, they do see their names as meaningful.
Cats Choose Interaction with Owners
Cats form strong bonds with their human caregivers and will often voluntarily spend more time near the people they feel most attached to. This shows that cats do enjoy human company and affection over isolation.
According to a study by Rover, cats tend to show preference for the person who most frequently interacts with them positively. Cats are observant animals who recognize who provides them with play, petting, treats, and care. Over time, they begin to associate that person with positive experiences.
Cats demonstrate their bond and affection by seeking proximity. A cat who frequently naps near you, follows you from room to room, and hops into your lap unprompted is showing you have been chosen as their preferred human. This ability to choose their interactions shows cats have autonomy over who they like best.
Conclusion
The evidence shows that cats do exhibit bonding behaviors towards humans that indicate they find us cute, such as responding positively to baby talk, choosing to interact with their owners, gazing for bonding, and grooming their owners. While more conclusive research is needed, these behaviors demonstrate that cats feel affection and form attachments with their human caretakers.
There are some limitations to the existing research on whether cats find humans cute. Many studies rely on owner reports of cat behavior, which can be subjective. More controlled experiments measuring cat responses to human stimuli would strengthen the evidence. Additionally, most research focuses on cats bonds with adult owners; less is known about cat interactions with human children. Future studies could examine if cats respond differently to babies versus adults.
Overall, cats engage in many of the same bonding, caregiving and attachment behaviors toward humans that dogs do, suggesting they find us endearing. However, more research is needed to conclusively determine the extent to which cats perceive human cuteness.