Animals think differently than humans (we are way too complicated). And cats? They are a mystery on paws. Until we have an AI Pet Translator, we have to rely on science, and believe us: these facts will bring you much closer to your cat's way of thinking. This way, you not only understand their behavior better, but your bond will also become a little stronger!
Do you sometimes look at your cat and think: What is going on in that little head?
Fact #1: Your cat might see you as a big, clumsy cat
According to the British anthrozoologist John Bradshaw, cats treat humans as if they were other cats, only bigger, slower, and with strange behavior. They use the same social signals with us as with fellow cats: head butting, rubbing against you, purring, and even kneading. Other experts doubt whether cats really see us as peers, but agree that they treat us as part of their social group. They recognize us by scent, voice, and behavior, not necessarily by our face.
💡 What does this mean for you?
If your cat head butts you or rubs against you, it is no coincidence. It is a sign of trust and connection. You are a valued member of their "cat family".
Fact #2: Your cat recognizes your face… but it does have to make an effort to do so
Unlike dogs, cats are not as visually oriented towards facial recognition. However, many studies show that cats can distinguish their owner's face from strangers, provided it is combined with scent and voice. Cats form a kind of "sensory total image" of you — scent + voice + movement. So if your cat suddenly hesitates whether it is you... you might smell different than usual.
Fact #3: Your cat recognizes your voice (but sometimes deliberately ignores you)
Did you know that your cat actually knows that it is you calling its name? Research shows that cats can distinguish their owner's voice from strangers. But unlike dogs, cats often simply choose not to respond, simply because they don't feel like it.
Fact #4: Cats understand the law of gravity
In an experiment, cats were shown a closed box with a ball inside. Sometimes the box made a sound as if the ball had fallen, but nothing came out. The cats reacted confused: they apparently expected gravity to do its work. Cats therefore (intuitively) understand that what goes up must come down. No wonder they are so good at swatting things off tables.
Fact #5: Cats use their ears for echolocation-like focus
Cat ears rotate independently 180 degrees and consist of more than 30 muscles! What many of us also did not know: cats can 'locate' sound with their ears with a precision of 5 degrees. That means they know exactly where that sound is coming from... even from behind a wall.
Never cut whiskers, you literally make your cat 'blind'
Fact #6: Cats can "see" with their whiskers
Whiskers are hypersensitive 'antennae' that detect microscopically small changes in the air. Cats use them to 'feel' if they can fit through an opening, but also to hunt at night.
🌫️ They even detect the air movement of a moving prey.
Fact #7: Your cat lives according to an internal 24-hour clock
Cats have a circadian rhythm that closely resembles that of humans. They know when it's time to eat, sleep, or... get zoomies at 3:00 AM.
🔬 But did you know that your cat also adapts to your rhythm? Studies show that indoor cats change their sleep patterns to have more overlap with their owner.
Fact #8: Do cats dream?
Yes! Cats experience REM sleep, just like humans (the phase in which dreams occur). During their sleep, you sometimes see their paws twitching or whiskers moving: these are probably dream movements.
✨ Maybe your cat is dreaming that it did catch the bird in your garden after all.
Fact #9: Cats make ‘quivering meows’ to deceive prey
Does your cat sometimes make a trembling, chattering sound when seeing a bird? That is not frustration. Researchers believe this sound is meant to mimic the noise of prey (such as birds or rodents) to lure them closer.
Do you hear your cat making that trembling sound? Then in its mind it is whispering: 'I'm just a little bird too... nothing to worry about... come closer.'
Fact #10: Your cat buries its poop... as a sign of submission
Many people think that cats bury their poop out of cleanliness. But in the wild, only lower-ranking cats do that. Dominant cats actually leave their droppings visible to show who is boss.
If your cat neatly buries its message in the litter box, it probably sees you as the "boss" of the house
Your cat understands you more than you think
Cats are mysterious, clever, and sometimes downright bizarre. But with these facts, you'll understand a little better what lies behind that purring ball of fluff on your couch. So if your cat is staring at you intensely again today, just remember for a moment: it probably understands you more than you think.
Do you want to support your cat even better in its natural behavior and comfort?
