“Technically, cats can't understand human words because their cognitive skills are not advanced enough,” Glover told
Cats lack the cognitive skills to interpret human language, but they recognize when you talk to them. To put it another way, cats comprehend human language in the same way that we understand meowing. It's similar to how you interpret your cat's language by "reading" how they arch their back or swish their tail.
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.
Cats may only understand 25 to 35 words, but they can make about 100 different vocalizations. Perhaps cats are desperately trying to make first contact with us, as they only make these sounds around their human friends, not around other cats.
Teach Your Cat to Sit
It will take some practice, but this is one of the easiest tricks to teach a cat. Simply grab a small treat, and hold it in front of your cat, close to her face. Then raise the treat up and back, staying within a few inches of your cat. The natural reaction is for your cat to lift her head.
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.
All in all, even the most aloof and brooding cat will be able to pick up on your warmth and devotion. Whether they choose to admit it or not, they can sense when a person loves them (and hates them). So always make sure you're emitting good, kitty-positive vibes, and your cat will be sure to indulge in the lovefest.
Studies have shown that cats can recognise their owners, even after they've been apart from them for an extended period of time, but they don't rely on sight to identify us.
Your cat is not aroused sexually; your cat simply wants to show you his affection. More precisely, your cat wants to tell you that he loves and trusts you like his maternal figure. So instead of feeling insulted the next time your cat presents you his butt, maybe you will feel “special”…!
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.
Cats developed their language to talk to humans. They built the set of signals to tell them what they need and what they don't want their cat parents to do. However, when your cat talks back to you, especially if they do that often, they may need your attention.
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.
So, how exactly do cats go about choosing their person? Cats prefer to spend time with people who understand their body language and around whom they feel safe. This is often the person who makes the most effort or is frequently involved in day-to-day cat care.
Sleeping near you
If your kitty likes to sleep near you - or even on you - this is an indication that they have total trust in you.
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!
Here's the thing, cats don't recognise themselves in mirrors. When they see their reflection, they simply think they're seeing another cat. This explains why your kitty is so infatuated with their look-alike. The reason cats don't realise they're staring at themselves is actually quite straightforward.
Cats See Us as Parents
Cats don't just think of their owners as food machines. They actually see us as parents. A 2019 study revealed that cats have the same attachment to their owners that babies show to their parents.
The head bump. It's their way of saying hello, by using the oil glands in front of their ears to greet you as if you're a cat and leave their scent on you. They see you as one of their clan, so bump them right back.
Cats do talk to their pet parents, typically using a meow to ask for her cat food bowl to be filled, or a whine to ask for more pets, and perhaps a hiss to tell you to back off. Some cat breeds, such as the Russian Blue and the Siamese, are very vocal and will chatter with you all day (and all night) long.
In most cases, cats will purr when they are in a relaxed environment, sending out waves of calmness. This may also occur when you stroke them, and if this is the case, your feline friend is feeling happy or sociable. However, cats purr to communicate other emotions and needs, too.