Do Cats Think Humans Are Cats?

What does the research say?

Dr. John Bradshaw, a feline behavior researcher at the University of Bristol and author of Cat Sense, has studied cat-human interactions extensively. His research suggests that cats don't appear to adjust their social behavior when interacting with humans compared to other cats. They use the same tail signals, the same rubbing behavior, the same kneading, and the same vocalizations (meowing evolved specifically for human communication, but the underlying social approach is the same). Bradshaw's conclusion is that cats treat us as fellow cats, or at least as social companions that fit into their existing behavioral framework.

Does that mean they think we're big cats?

Not exactly. Cats are smart enough to recognize that humans look and behave differently from other cats. They can distinguish human faces, respond to their owner's voice differently than a stranger's, and clearly understand that humans provide food and shelter in ways other cats don't. What Bradshaw's research suggests isn't that cats are confused about what we are, but rather that they don't have a separate social toolkit for dealing with humans. They interact with us using the same behaviors they'd use with a friendly, trusted cat because that's the social framework they have.

Do cats form real attachments to humans?

Yes. A 2019 study published in Current Biology by researchers at Oregon State University found that cats form attachment bonds with their owners similar to those documented in dogs and human infants. Using a "secure base test" (the same method used to assess attachment in children), the study found that about 65% of cats showed secure attachment to their owner, meaning they used the owner as a base of security and showed reduced stress in their presence. This directly challenges the stereotype that cats are aloof and indifferent to their humans.