Does your cat know you? I mean, does she really know you and can she tell you apart from the rest of the people in your home or with whom you surround yourself? Have you ever wondered how cats recognize us?
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Do Our Cats Really Know Us?
For example, when you see your cat perched on top of her favorite scratching post, you recognize her by her shape, her coat color and simply by the way she moves. Still, you may ask yourself, “Does my cat know me? Can she pick me out in a crowd?” You can relax. Our pets definitely know who we are and will defer to our scent, sounds and subtle cues with respect to movement and touch
But, still…. does your cat really know you as well as you think she does? The good news is that she does. In fact, there is a high probability she knows you far better than you know yourself.
Cats Recognize Us By Learning Our Habits
Cats quickly learn their humans’ habits. They know who handles the feedings, who is in charge of the treats and who knows just where to scratch them! Even further, cats understand which sounds and actions will generate the desired responses from humans. Clever little creatures, are they not?
However, cats probably aren’t looking at us to tell us apart, as most human faces typically look the same to them. Nevertheless, they are pretty adept at recognizing other cats’ faces! Who knew? Perhaps human faces just aren’t that interesting or important to them.
Want to learn more about how cats think? Check out Think Like A Cat by Pam Johnson-Bennett. This book provides many insights on how cats think.
Cats Recognize Us By Using Their Senses
Cats recognize us in other ways, via scent, touch and sound. In a 2013 study at the University of Tokyo, scientists discovered cats could tell recordings of their owners’ voices apart from strangers’ voices. But don’t expect that the cats actually then got up to seek out their owners. They most likely expected their owners to come find them and dote on them!
No matter how your cat recognizes you, take pleasure in the manner by which she may greet you at the end of the day. You have to admit that there is something spectacularly wonderful about being recognized – and loved – by a cat!
Written by Ann Butenas
An internationally-recognized author and writer, Ann began her professional writing career at age 12 and began speaking while in college. She has been published thousands of times over the past three decades in all media forms, was former editor and publisher of KC Metro Woman magazine, and has also hosted three talk radio shows in the Kansas City area.
