Cats Are Endlessly Curious Creatures
Cats have a reputation for being curious creatures. Their inquisitive nature leads them to explore new spaces, investigate strange sounds, and obsess over shiny objects. A cat’s curiosity stems from its high level of intelligence. Their lively minds drive them to understand their surroundings and make sense of the world around them.
But where does that curiosity go when their beloved human companion disappears every day? When you walk out the door in the morning, have you ever wondered if your cat sits there puzzling over where you went? Cats form strong bonds with their owners and feel secure in their presence. It must be perplexing from a cat’s perspective when their human suddenly vanishes.
In this article, we will explore what cats might think happens to us when we leave home without them. Do cats believe we simply disappear into thin air? Or do they have their own feline theories about where humans go each day? By better understanding the cat mindset, we can find ways to reassure our curious kitties until we return home once more.
Cats’ Understanding of Objects and People
Research shows that cats have a sense of object permanence and understand that objects continue to exist even when out of view. In several experiments on cats’ search behaviors, cats consistently searched in the correct location for objects that had been visibly or invisibly displaced, demonstrating an understanding of object permanence (Goulet, 1994 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7964519/). Kittens as young as 7 weeks old also pass tests for object permanence by retrieving hidden objects (Gruber, 1971 https://psycnet.apa.org/record/1971-07732-001), suggesting this ability develops early.
Cats are also able to form attachments and recognize individual people. They can discriminate between their owners and strangers, and often show preferences for certain social partners (Triana & Pasnak, 1981 https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.3758/BF03212035.pdf). This shows cats understand that a person continues to exist even when out of view.
Cats’ Spatial Navigation Abilities
Cats have excellent spatial memory and mapping abilities that allow them to navigate complex environments. Research shows that cats create mental maps of their surroundings using landmarks and sensory cues [1]. Their spatial navigation skills likely evolved as a survival mechanism to remember locations of food sources, shelter, and their community.
One study found that cats relied on visual, olfactory and auditory cues to mentally map their owner’s location and take shortcuts to reunite with them [2]. This ability to hold mental representations of spaces shows their advanced understanding of physical environments. Cats use these spatial navigation skills daily to get around homes and neighborhoods. Their excellent spatial memory and mapping abilities help explain how cats always find their way back home.
Cats’ Separation Anxiety
Separation anxiety is a common condition in cats, with some studies estimating that over 70% of cats exhibit symptoms of anxiety when separated from their owners (Machado et al., 2020). The main symptoms of feline separation anxiety include excessive vocalization such as meowing or crying, destructive behavior like scratching furniture or urinating outside the litter box, hypervigilance when the owner leaves or returns, and a strong attachment or “clinginess” to the owner.
There are several theories for why some cats develop separation anxiety more than others. Kittens removed from their mothers and littermates too early may fail to develop appropriate independence. Cats obtained from shelters or frequent homes may have underlying insecurity. Sudden changes in routine like moving or family members leaving can also trigger separation anxiety. Finally, cats are social animals that form attachments to their human families, so separations from their attachment figure can cause distress. Anxious cats likely do not fully understand where their owners are going or when they will return.
Where Do Cats Look for Missing Owners?
When owners disappear or are away from home for extended periods, cats often wait in locations where they expect them to return. They tend to watch doors and windows for any sign of their missing human coming back according to this source. Cats can wait by the front door for hours or days after an owner leaves, hoping they will walk back in at any moment.
If their owner has been gone for a longer time, cats may go investigate their favorite napping spots or bedrooms, sniffing blankets and belongings. According to this article, they seem to look in the last known locations the owner occupied, as if expecting them to be there. A cat wandering an empty home meowing could be searching for clues and signals from their absent human.
Do Cats Think We Disappear?
Studies on cat cognition have shown that cats do have a sense of object permanence. This means they understand that objects continue to exist even when out of sight. According to researchers, cats can follow human pointing gestures to locate hidden food, demonstrating an understanding that the food still exists even though they cannot see it (PetMD).
While cats may not have as advanced object permanence abilities as humans, they likely understand their owners continue to exist even when we leave the home. Cat owners often report their cats waiting anxiously by the door or window for them to return. This suggests cats maintain a mental representation of us and expect us to come back (Heads Up For Tails).
So when we disappear from sight, it’s unlikely cats believe we have vanished completely. Their welcoming behavior when we return indicates they understand we were simply somewhere else for a period of time. While curious where we go, cats seem to grasp the concept that we still exist even when gone.
Do Cats Understand Death?
Anecdotal evidence suggests that cats may mourn deceased owners or feline companions, but the extent to which cats understand the permanence of death is debated. According to the VCA Animal Hospitals, “Some cats will search feverishly for the deceased while other cats may accept a new animal in the deceased’s place” (https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/do-cats-mourn). This indicates that since cats may not comprehend that death is permanent, they may persistently wait for a deceased companion to return.
According to Cats Protection, “Although grief in animals is not well understood currently, you may recognise changes in behaviour in your cats, which may be attributed to grief” (https://www.cats.org.uk/what-we-do/grief/advice/grief-guidance-resources/grief-in-surviving-pets). So while cats likely perceive the absence of a housemate, they may not fully grasp the concept that the companion is gone forever.
Overall, cats appear capable of mourning loved ones in their own way, but may not fully comprehend death’s permanence due to their limited abstract thinking skills relative to humans.
Theories on Cat Beliefs About Human Activities
Much speculation exists regarding whether cats wonder about where humans go and what they do outside the home. Since cats have a basic theory of mind that allows them to attribute intentions and knowledge to others [1], they likely recognize that humans engage in activities beyond their direct perceptions. However, the full extent of cats’ abstract thinking abilities remains unknown.
Some experts theorize that cats do speculate about human activities, as evidenced by behaviors like waiting by windows or doors for owners to return. They argue that cats may mentally visualize humans going about their business, perhaps imagining them at work or running errands. However, concrete scientific evidence validating these cognitive capabilities in cats is still lacking.
Other experts are more skeptical, arguing that cats have a more limited theory of mind. They suggest cats mainly understand that humans simply disappear and reappear, without pondering the complex nuances of human behavior. According to this view, cats’ waiting behaviors are simply learned associations and not indications of abstract speculations about human activities.
Overall, the extent of feline cognition remains partially unresolved. While fascinating, speculation about cats attributing complex thoughts to humans extends beyond current scientific understanding. Further research is needed to determine if cats truly ponder human behavior beyond their direct perceptions or simply associate certain behaviors like waiting near doors with the predictable return of their owners.
Ways to Reassure a Cat When Leaving
There are several ways to help reassure your cat and ease separation anxiety when you have to leave them alone for periods of time. Follow these tips to help your cat feel more comfortable:
Leave familiar scents and items for comfort. Leave out an item of clothing you’ve worn recently so your scent stays with the cat while you’re gone. You can also rub a towel on your skin before you leave to transfer your scent, which many cats find reassuring. Rotate which items you leave so the scent stays fresh.
Follow predictable routines before departures. Cats feel reassured by regular routines. Do the same things before you leave each time – feed them, play for a bit, give pets and cuddles. This helps signal to your cat that you’ll be leaving soon but also returning.
Provide stimulating toys and activities. Leave out puzzle feeders, treat balls, catnip toys and other engaging items. Make sure your cat has things to keep themselves occupied while alone. Rotate the specific toys to keep it interesting.
Consider calming supplements or pheromone diffusers. Products like Feliway mimic cat pheromones and help induce calmness. Talk to your vet about anti-anxiety medication if your cat has severe separation anxiety.
Conclusion
After reviewing the available research, we can conclude that while cats likely do not have an advanced understanding of where humans go when we leave the house, they do seem to have some capacity to perceive object permanence and look for us in expected locations. Their anxious behaviors when separated indicate they feel our absence deeply. However, the exact beliefs cats hold about human activities and whereabouts remain a mystery.
Rather than making definitive claims about feline cognition, which is difficult to measure, we should focus on appreciating the companionship and affection cats provide. Though we cannot fully know their inner world, caring for them compassionately and minimizing separations can reassure them. We can delight in cats’ quirky perceptions of our homes and lives, respecting the differences between species while nurturing an interdependent bond.
The depth of animal minds, including our pets, remains profound and intriguing. While science continues to uncover insights, the mysteries of non-human consciousness warrant appreciating animals for their inherent value, independent of human utility. By extending empathy and patience across species, we can better share our lives with both the familiar and the unknowable.
