Have you considered the question of cat feelings and emotions? These creatures, who seem so aloof, often have a deep bond with us. Their enigmatic nature at times can mask their emotional lives. Yet, the answer to the question, do cats have emotions similar to ours, is an emphatic yes.
A cat’s brain has an area governing emotions, just as the human brain. Research into animal behavior supports the idea that cats experience basic emotions. In fact, science has shown that cats feel anger, happiness, fear, surprise, disgust and sadness.
The Importance Of Body Language
Even though kitties can have these basic emotions, the difference lies in the fact that they might not show their feelings in the same way as humans do. Also, differing factors from our own may trigger these emotions in our furry friend. Nonetheless, the feelings are there.
These feelings become expressed in a different way. Your kitty shows his emotional state through body language. For example, when expressing happiness, the cat feels relaxed and content. Signs of happiness can include lounging comfortably, purring or kneading a soft surface, eyes half-closed, or a roll to the side to expose the tummy.
A happy cat has a healthy appetite and tends to be more playful. Different body messages convey anger or fear. The ears lay straight back or flat to the sides of the head. The fur may stand up and the tail could lash quickly side to side. Perhaps the feline is hissing or growling.
We can learn a great deal about our cat’s feelings just by observing this body language. In addition, do pay attention to vocalizations. Though purring is generally a sign of contentment, it can also signify pain or distress.
What other sounds does your cat make? By observation, you can learn the meanings. Does kitty meow because of hunger, as a way of greeting you, or due to stress? The length and timbre of these sounds can give important clues.
A Clear Communication Example
Once, my cat, Carlos, let me know with a meow that registered as clearly as a statement in words. He had been having issues with using his litter box, seeming to have problems with urination. I wondered if he had the start of FUS (Feline Urilogic Syndrome) and watched him closely.
Then, he came in to the kitchen where I sat, jumped up on the table, and gave a single loud yowl which definitely said “I’m in pain.” I immediately took him in to town to the vet. She laid him on the floor and pressed along his urinary tract. He gave one cry of pain, but didn’t move–he must have known she was trying to help.
Bloody urine came out of the tract. She told me I’d brought him in before an infection started, and he would be fine. A shot and a round of pills cleared up the problem.
I’m so glad I listened when he gave his signal of distress.
What Upsets Your Cat?
We get hurt feelings for far different reasons than a cat. Other people may upset us. The cat will be more likely to be upset by changes in environment or routine than to how another person treats them.
Do know, though, that In the appropriate circumstances, the cat can become sad and depressed; he can feel grief or loneliness. The loss of an owner or of a close feline companion can trigger such feelings. Then such feelings might appear as listlessness, loss of appetite, no interest in playing, sleeping more, or even hiding away from everything.
It is crucial for a pet owner to realize that the cat has these feelings. Watching body language to interpret what emotions kitty entertains becomes very important, because your interaction can help provide for emotional welfare. By recognizing the signs indicating the cat’s emotional state you can pave the way for a deeper and more harmonious relationship.
What About Love?
Does your cat love you? Think about these components of love:
- Sharing affection
- Forming a warm attachment
- Showing unselfish loyalty or concern for others
We can often find signs that a cat feels love for its owner. There are many cases in which the owner has died or left, and the cat shows signs of distress. I have a personal story about this one. My daughter, Sandi, and my cat, Tiger, had a close friendship. They played a hide and seek game together regularly, which delighted them both.
Then, sadly, Sandi drowned on a summer vacation, and we returned home alone. For a few weeks after our return, Tiger would sit outside Sandi’s bedroom door, wanting his friend to return and not understanding why she was no longer there. In his cat way, he grieved. It added to our own sadness.
Do Cats Apologize?
Cats do not feel guilt. Therefore, they are incapable of apologizing. They do know, however, if we are angry through tone of voice or facial expression, or by our attitude toward them. Therefore, their actions can be geared to changing our mood back to a happy one.
They can store the information about our actions when upset in their long-term memory. They then try to avoid the actions that upset us through these auditory or visual cues. As they are hyperaware of changes in our behavior, they try to keep us from making changes that distress them. They become much more comfortable with us when we show signs of happiness.
They may not understand what has displeased us, but they try to make things right again.
I encourage you to take the time to observe your cat during varied daily activities. Be aware of how behavior changes in response to different stimuli or environments. Through these observations, you can gain insight into kitty’s emotional life. Remain patient and attentive. Some cats give very subtle signs that display their emotions. Learn to read the signs in your pet.
What About Curiosity?
Don’t discourage your cat’s curiosity. Yes, he/she must not get into a dangerous situation because of this trait, if such can be avoided. However, this emotion helps the cat to learn about their surrounding world. Such knowledge is vital to kitty for mental stimulation and overall happiness. It’s really part of something essential that makes up your cat.
Exploring their world helps kitties learn their place in it. It offers information about what that environment might contain, and when and where important activites may occur. Curiosity creates one of the avenues that allows kitty to become a successful hunter. As such, the cat fulfills a basic role and strengthens instinctual understanding.
Signs Of Strong Attachments Between Cat And Owner
Sometimes simple signs can let you know your cat cares for you. These include such actions as talking to you, following you from room to room, sitting on your lap, purring, sleeping with you, or rubbing against you and seeking affection.
What about stronger signs? You can find multiple stories about cats who travel hundreds or thousands of miles through unknown territory just to return to the owner’s side. What about the cat who comforts you when you are sad or depressed, or works to help you heal from an injory?
I’ll always remember Carlos after my knee replacement: When I returned home, he spent three days under the covers next to the injured knee, purring, leaving only to eat or visit his litter box, until he felt I was out of danger.
Then, there are cats who mourn the loss of their beloved owner, sometimes to the point of refusing to eat. Also, cats have been known to risk their lives for their human loved one. Consider the story of the cat who fought off a poisonus snake, and took the snake bite meant for his owner.
Important To Support Your Cat’s Emotional Well-Being
Your relationship with your furry companion does not include simply providing food and shelter. It’s equally about nurturing emotional well-being. By doing so, you will ensure that your cat not only survives, but thrives.
- Create a safe and comfortable environment. Kitty needs a space where he can retreat and feel secure. Such a spot could include a cozy bed or a high perch away from the rest of the household. Mocha has such a spot: In the bathroom under the eaves he retreats to a storage space and rests on a futon that only he can reach.
- Sticking to a routine provides predictability and alleviates stress and anxiety.
- Interactive play serves the purpose of exercise, but also allows a fundamental avenue for emotional satisfaction. A simulated hunt soothes the instincts. Toys and puzzles that challenge them mentally can prevent boredom.
- Respect your cat’s individual needs. While some relish companionship, others may prefer the solitary life. Respect their individuality and don’t force interactions.
- Be vigilant for signs of emotional distress, such as changes in appetite, litter box habits, or excessive grooming. You may need to consult your vet to rule out any medical issues. Perhaps you will need to make environmental changes or adapt different behavioral strategies.
Become an ally to your cat by providing for kitty’s emotional well-being as well as such daily needs as food and shelter. Your cat shares your home and your life. Take an active part in creating an environment conducive to happy, healthy, harmonious living.
References I Used For This Post: catster.com/guides/what-emotions-can-cats-feel/ www.petfinder.com/cats-and-kittens/behavior/socializing/do-cats-have-feelings/ seniorcatwellness.com/how-do-cats-apologize/