Paul Leyhausen, a scientist who studied the behavior of cats (wild, domestic, big and small) concluded that they have three ways of classifying other animals: as prey, as threats and as conspecifics (i.e. members of a shared group – meaning other cats). As far as domestic cats are concerned, humans are far too big to be prey, and if we aren’t cat-haters, we aren’t threats (quite the opposite; we are sources of comfort and the necessities of life). Furthermore, human faces are similar enough to cats’ faces that we are capable of being seen by them as if we are part of their social structure, but the cues that trigger cats’ territorial instincts – our size and our scent – are not there. Leyhausen also concluded that cats are capable of forming stronger social bonds with humans than they are with other cats. They defer to our size and assume a juvenile-like role, which is why cats living with humans continue to show kittenish behavior well into adulthood and even old age. This is also why they vocalize readily with humans but not so much with other cats. They indeed become our furry children. We also have these things called “hands”, which are so convenient for petting and cuddling. When I brought my current pair of cats home, after a few days of hiding and being apprehensive, their first overtures were rubbing up against my outstreched hands.

My personal experience with cats includes giving them constant access to the necessities: a food dispenser that lets them eat when they want and holds two weeks’ worth of food, a water fountain that is self-replenishing and a self-scooping litter box. With no need to beg for food, water or clean litter, my cats still seek my attention and physical contact and give me affection without prompting, so I can asume that they actually like me.

And their purring? Leyhausen’s interpretation is that purring is the cat’s way of saying “I am not a threat”. Mothers purr to their kittens, cats purr when they are in distress or pain as if to say, “Be nice to me, I feel like shit” and they purr to tell us they are not currently in attack mode. It has little to do with actual happiness or contentment, though we often choose to presume that it does. A happy cat may purr, but purring doesn’t necessarily mean that Fluffy is happy. She may need a trip to the vet.

I’ve wondered this and so many other things about my cats; like does my cat want the outdoor cat he watches all night to leave, come in or does he want to play with it?
Did my cat who sat for a week with our Guinea pig after he lost his house buddy Hawkeye; know Nick Fury was sad and would die of a broken heart if he didn’t keep him Company as he had never done that before with the Guineas?

I was raised with a Siamese who slept in my crib with me. The smell of a cat still comforts me and makes me sleep more soundly. I have ptsd and have horrible night terrors at times so my current #1 cat sleeps next to my face where I can hold him like a teddy bear. He has a heart condition so will wake up when I am having a nightmare and will then poke me in the face and wake me up. Then we go back to sleep. He also follows me everywhere. Eats better when I am with him since we have three other cats and his anxiety causes him to not want to eat with the others if he can help it.

I think they are like people where they like certain people more than others and want to hang with some people more than others. My cat and I are Tailored made for eachother. He does not think I am another cat but he does think of me as momma, friend and companion. He stands by my bed and pokes me and stares at me until I give him what he wants which is usually treats and sometimes pets. My husband has a Maine Coon who is sweet to all of us but will only come or “sit” and purr with him. It’s annoying and rude lol cuz I loooooove that cat. But he doesn’t want people like me all the time in his face. Blueprint and Garth have their own thing going.

i don’t believe they think we are cats. I think they think of us like we would think of huge giants if they lived; who didn’t smell bad, had cool giant houses and took care of all our needs and we had lots of furr and slept most of the day.