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 ever find yourself looking at your cat and thinking: What on earth is going on in that little head?
Fact #1: Your cat might see you as a big, clumsy cat
According to British anthrozoologist John Bradshaw, cats treat humans as if they were other cats—just bigger, slower, and with strange behaviour. They use the same social signals with us as they do with fellow cats: head bunting, rubbing against us, purring, and even kneading Other experts question whether cats truly see us as their own kind, but agree that they treat us as part of their social group. They recognise us by scent, voice, and behaviour—not necessarily by our face.
💡 What does this mean for you?
If your cat gives you head bumps or rubs against you, it’s not a coincidence. It’s a sign of trust and connection. You’re a valued member of their “cat family.”
Fact #2: Your cat recognises your face… but it takes some effort
Unlike dogs, cats aren’t naturally wired for facial recognition. However, many studies have shown that cats can distinguish their owner’s face from a stranger’s—provided it’s combined with scent and voice. Cats create a sort of “sensory profile” of you—scent + voice + movement. So if your cat suddenly seems unsure whether it’s really you… you might just smell a little different than usual.
Fact #3: Your cat recognises your voice (but sometimes chooses to ignore you)
Did you know that your cat absolutely knows it’s you calling their name? Research shows that cats can distinguish their owner’s voice from that of strangers. But unlike dogs, cats often simply choose not to respond—just 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 actually came out. The cats responded with confusion, clearly expecting gravity to do its job. So cats (intuitively) understand that what goes up must come down. No wonder they’re so good at knocking things off tables!
Fact #5: Cats use their ears for echolocation-like focus
Cat ears independently rotate 180 degrees and consist of more than 30 muscles! Another thing many of us didn't know: cats can use their ears to “locate” sound with a precision of 5 degrees. That means they know exactly where that sound is coming from ... even from behind a wall.
Never trim whiskers, you will literally make your cat 'blind'
Fact #6: Cats can “see” with their whiskers
Whiskers are hypersensitive “feelers” that can detect microscopic changes in air movement. Cats use them to “sense” whether they can fit through an opening, and also for hunting at night.
🌫️They can even pick up on the airflow caused by a moving prey.
Fact #7: Your cat lives according to a 24-hour internal clock
Cats have a circadian rhythm very similar to that of us humans. They know when it's time to eat, sleep or get zoomies at 03:00 at night.
🔬 But did you know that your cat also adapts to your rhythm? Studies show that indoor cats change their sleeping patterns to have more overlap with their owner.
Fact #8: Do cats dream?
Of course! Cats, like humans, experience REM sleep (the phase in which dreams occur). During their sleep, you can sometimes see their paws twitch or whiskers move: these are likely dream movements.
✨ Maybe your cat dreams that he did catch that bird in your yard.
Fact #9: Cats make 'vibrating meows' to deceive their prey
Does your cat sometimes make a twitching, flapping noise at the sight of a bird? That's not frustration. Researchers think this sound is meant to mimic the sound of prey (such as birds or rodents) to encourage them to come closer.
Do you hear your cat making that vibrating sound? Then he's whispering in thought: ''I'm just a little bird too...nothing suspicious...just come a little closer.''
Fact #10: Your cat buries its poop.... as a sign of submission
Many people think cats bury their poop out of neatness. But in the wild, only lower ranking cats do that. Dominant cats actually leave their feces visible to show everyone who's boss.
If your cat buries his feces neatly in the litter box, he probably thinks you are the “boss” of the house
Your cat understands you more than you think
Cats are mysterious, smart and sometimes downright bizarre. But with these facts, you'll understand just a little better what lies behind that little purring ball of fluff on your couch. So when your cat stares at you intensely again today, remember: he probably understands you more than you think.
Want to support your cat's natural behavior and comfort even better?
