1. Why Cats Like to Purr
- Self-Soothing Mechanism: Cats purr to calm themselves, especially when stressed, injured, or ill.
- Communication: Mother cats purr to bond with their kittens, and kittens purr back as a sign of comfort.
- Healing Mechanism: Purring vibrations (25-150 Hz) can promote healing of bones, reduce pain, and stimulate tissue regeneration.
- Contentment: Often associated with relaxation and happiness, such as when a cat is being petted or is cozy.
- Solicitation Purring: Cats may purr to request food or attention, with a higher-pitched, urgent tone.
2. Why Cats Like Humans
- Source of Food and Care: Cats bond with those who feed and care for them, associating humans with survival.
- Social Companionship: While independent, cats are social creatures and form attachments similar to those with other cats.
- Comfort and Security: Cats seek warmth, safety, and affection from humans, often choosing favorite people.
- Mutual Bonding: Cats enjoy petting because it mimics social grooming behaviors found in feline groups.
3. How Cats See Their Human
- Not as ‘Owners’: Cats don’t have a concept of ownership. They see humans as large, friendly companions or even as parental figures.
- Like Other Cats: Cats often treat humans similarly to how they’d treat other cats—rubbing against them, kneading, and grooming.
- Attachment Bonds: Studies show cats form secure attachments to humans, similar to the bonds dogs or infants form with caregivers.
4. How Cats Feel for Their Human
- Affection: Cats show love through head-butting, slow blinking, purring, and sitting close to their humans.
- Trust: A cat exposing its belly or sleeping on you indicates deep trust.
- Possessiveness: Some cats may become jealous or territorial about their favorite humans.
- Gratitude: Cats remember kindness and often reciprocate with affectionate behavior.
5. How Cats See Other Cats
- Territorial Perspective: Cats are territorial and may view unfamiliar cats as threats.
- Social Structure: In multi-cat homes or colonies, cats establish hierarchies, though not as rigid as dog packs.
- Recognition: Cats recognize familiar cats through scent rather than visual cues.
- Bonding: Cats that bond may groom each other, sleep together, or rub faces, exchanging scents to strengthen social ties.
6. How Cats Feel for the Opposite Sex
- Instinctual Drives: Unneutered cats are driven by mating instincts. Males may be aggressive or territorial, while females in heat seek attention.
- Indifference When Neutered: Spayed/neutered cats often show little special interest toward the opposite sex, focusing more on companionship than reproduction.
- Temporary Affection: Mating behavior doesn’t equate to emotional attachment; it’s mostly hormonal and instinct-driven.
7. How Cats Call the Opposite Sex
- Vocalizations: Females in heat emit loud, drawn-out yowls or caterwauling to attract males.
- Scent Marking: Both sexes may spray urine to signal readiness to mate, carrying pheromones that attract the opposite sex.
- Body Language: Females display lordosis (arching the back and lifting the rear), while males may strut or show dominance displays.
8. How Cats Call the Same Sex
- Territorial Calls: Cats may hiss, growl, or yowl to warn off same-sex rivals, especially over territory.
- Friendly Signals: Soft chirps, trills, or purring can signal friendliness, often between bonded cats.
- Scent Marking: Rubbing, head-butting, and grooming are ways cats “mark” each other as part of their social group.
- Body Language: Tail positions, ear orientation, and relaxed postures can signal peaceful intent, while aggressive signals include puffed fur, arched backs, and direct staring.