Who does the cat consider its owner? Do they really think of us as a parent?

When we think of a cat, the image of a sociable, always ready for fun, extroverted animal probably does not appear in our mind's eye. Contrasted with the initiative nature of dogs, who like to be in the center, follow their owner and spy on their wishes, the contrast is even stronger. Cats are considered to be independent and uncooperative creatures. Accounts of the animals' behavior often characterize them as solitary predators that prefer to tolerate the presence of other animals and humans. Thanks to more recent research, however, these stereotypical beliefs are beginning to dispel more and more. In fact, they are already starting to guess how cats think about us!

You must have thought about who does the cat consider its owner. Let’s see the answer to the burning question.

Unlike dogs, they do not change their behaviour around us

Our cats treat us as equals. According to recent studies, dogs behave differently around humans than they do around other animals, and this clearly indicates that dogs see humans as different from themselves. However, kittens treat people the same way they treat other cats.

John Bradshaw, author of Cat Sense and a cat behavior expert at the University of Bristol, explained: “They obviously know we’re bigger than them, but they still don’t seem to have really adapted their social behaviour. Cats do to each other exactly what they do to us. They curl their tails in the air, make biscuits on us, snuggle up to us and clean us.” In fact, kitties treat us like a very special breed of cat. So it is fair to ask who they consider to be the owner, if this concept means anything to them at all.

The cat is not a social creature, but an animal that nurtures kinship relationships

Recent studies of feline behavior, which have examined domestic cats and urban cat colonies, call attention to an important shift in our understanding of felines. A cat is not a social animal, but a creature that creates and maintains kinship relationships. The easiest way to explain this is that they establish an emotional connection both with their own species and with other species. These relationships are most similar to kinship bonds between people.

Although cats don’t need humans to survive. They have decided that it is both practical and emotionally rewarding to stay with us.

Who does the cat consider its owner?

The appearance of grain cultivation lured rodents into the human environment, and cats, realizing this, followed the food. Everyone benefited from this situation. Cats found plenty of food next to the people, who thus got rid of the pests. The same factors determine whether a cat chooses a human or a member of its species as a companion: behavior, posture and smells. For example, a high-pitched tone, screams or fast movements can be interpreted as a threat, while a calm voice, relaxed, peaceful movements and slow blinking earn the animal’s trust.

Cats sense people’s moods through sight and smell. If we annoy them, they will try to escape. Or if they feel the noose is tight, they can show aggression. If they see that we are sad, just like a good friend, they will probably lie next to us or on top of us or playfully try to distract us. Within the family, where everyone behaves differently, has different habits and has different feelings towards cats, the cat perceives these and chooses a favorite based on this.

Conclusion

So cats see us as equals, but in no way do they think we are their parents. A balanced cat will treat you with the same respect and kindness as it treated its birth mother.

We are not considered to be their owners. Rather, they think of us as a family member and friend who provides food and security. And they also return these favors with things like clening or gifts. So the relationship is balanced. But it is undeniable that, just like us, they also have favorite family members. And unlike us, if you are the chosen one, they are not afraid to show it.