Clearly, cats are good at visual recognition — except when it comes to human faces. Instead of facial recognition, cats may use other cues, like our scent, the way we feel, or the sound of our voices to identify us. Researchers from Tokyo University found that cats do recognize their owners' voices.
They do not even recognize their owners by sight, which has led to their erroneous reputation as a species that is aloof. Cats cannot distinguish their owners by staring at them because their faces appear identical when they are at rest. Instead, cats distinguish between humans using sound and smell.
As well as being a method of communication, staring is also a sign of a close bond between you and your cat, as they are unlikely to hold eye contact with someone they don't like or trust.
People who are not a fan of cats tend to look away or give no eye contact to them. Cats find this non threatening. On the other hand, cat lovers love looking directly into their eyes, causing them to feel intimidated or threatened. When cats are in rivalry, they initially try to out-stare each other.
The strange part of all of this is that cats actually view people as fellow cats. Some researchers believe cats look at us as big, slow, clumsy, uncoordinated cats, but others say they're not quite so judgemental. The good thing is, whether or not they're judging our balance and agility, they still love us!
To summarise, cats don't think about their day or how they feel. But they do think about previous situations they have encountered. For example, when your cat is chilling out, it's not thinking about anything in particular.
Cats are incredibly curious by nature and they always want to know what's going on. It could be just that they're observing you to see if you're going to do anything interesting. Cats are visual hunters and when they go outdoors, they're on high alert, keeping their keen eyes peeled for anything moving.
Direct eye contact
Cats can find direct eye contact quite threatening. They wouldn't look another cat straight in the face unless they were fixing for a fight. When your cat's relaxed, they might look at you with a peaceful gaze or half closed eyes.
Yes, you read that right: A recent study revealed that getting your pet's attention is as simple as speaking with a high-pitched tone and extended vowels, just like how you'd communicate with a human baby. Additionally, the study suggested that your cat can actually tell you apart from strangers.
Soft eye contact and short peep-like sounds
So, if your cat is happy to look you in the eye with nice soft, relaxed eyes they are very happy in your company and have accepted you as non-threatening. And, if they let out a short peep-like sound, known as a trill, you can be sure they look think of you fondly.
It probably feels like your four-legged fur baby has got it in for you, but these perceived acts of aggression are actually an indicator of affection. That can be quite difficult to fathom, right? But it's true; they're actually “love bites” rather than a defense mechanism.
Lying next to you, but not on you, doesn't mean your cat is not bonded to you. In fact, sleeping next to you means your cat trusts you enough to be in a vulnerable position while sleeping. Some cats are not comfortable sleeping on their cat parent because they prefer the security of a small buffer zone.
A subtle stare is normally a sign of love and affection, or they might just be after your time and attention. They might lock eyes when hunger strikes, or it might be to convey a feeling of fear or anger.
“In a way, cats think of us as bigger cats,” Bonk says. “They might not necessarily know that we're a different species or they just don't care.” Stelow suspects cats will treat their human caregivers with similar displays of affection they show toward other felines.
Conclusion. Most cats don't understand that kisses from humans are a sign of affection. A cat will surely let you know if they enjoy being kissed or not. The best ways to show your cat that you love them are to give them toys, treats, and plenty of one-on-one time.
Clearly, cats are good at visual recognition — except when it comes to human faces. Instead of facial recognition, cats may use other cues, like our scent, the way we feel, or the sound of our voices to identify us.
Will My Cat Understand If I “Meow”? Sorry to break it to you, but human meows mean nothing to cats. At most, you can get your cat's attention and they may even appreciate your attempts to communicate by purring or even meowing back. But to most cats, human meows sound like human language.
In addition to being petted, do cats like to be held? Sometimes. Most cats love to snuggle, and they're typically responsive to being held if you introduce them to it gradually. The best way to approach your cat for a hug is to start with a few soft pets, then carefully pick them up.
"Your cat is most likely staring at you while crying because they're trying to make sense of what they see and hear," McGowan says. Your cat might not understand human crying, but she'll gather as many clues as she can and use them to adjust her behavior.
They love their owner(s) and feel dependent on them for security, comfort, play and food. Having a staring contest is just another way to affirm your bond. When you are calm, they are, too. They are constantly sizing you up to see how you're feeling so they can react in kind.
As a general rule, cats are sensitive when it comes to smells, but there are a few scents they hate that might just surprise you. They can't stand citrus and as much as you might love the smell of fresh herbs, cats hate rosemary and thyme. Banana and mustard are a big no-no too, as well as lavender and eucalyptus.
Squinted or half-closed eyes are a sign of affection, relaxation and trust. If a cat looks like they're about to fall asleep, they're relaxed and they trust you. Also, they're probably about to fall asleep. Fun fact: Cats also use their eyes to establish the pecking order.
One of the most plausible and sweetest reasons why your cat “follows” you even into the bathroom is that he loves you. The cat wants to take advantage of every second of your presence and every possible opportunity to spend time with you! He adores you so much that he will follow you everywhere in the house.
The best times to look out for signs of excitement are just before mealtimes, when your cat approaches you for a fuss, or when you go to the cupboard where your cat's toys or treats are kept. Your cat might also show signs of excitement when they're exploring outside, hunting, or playing with their toys.
Some cats have learned, just like some dogs have, to sit in front of their owners and stare to get their owners to feed them or play with them.