What Do Cats Think of Us?

Humans have been smitten with cats for roughly 9,500 years. Today, tens of millions share our homes, yet we still puzzle over a deceptively simple question: what do cats think of their people? Research suggests cats read some of our social cues and emotions, but—compared with dogs—they’re likely less tuned to human social relationships. That doesn’t make them aloof; it just means their social “settings” are calibrated differently.

A Researcher’s View: John Bradshaw

John Bradshaw, a feline-behavior expert at the University of Bristol and author of Cat Sense, has spent years watching everyday pet cats. His broad conclusion is refreshingly direct: cats don’t understand us the way dogs do. Dogs tend to switch into a distinctly “human mode” when interacting with people; cats, by contrast, use the same social toolkit on us that they use with other cats—tail-up greetings, cheek rubs, side-by-side resting, gentle head bumps, and shared grooming behaviors.

How He Studies Cats

Bradshaw’s work blends field observation and light-touch experiments. He watches freely roaming colony cats and shelter groups to map out social structure, tracks how dynamics shift when new cats arrive, and studies play styles, daily activity patterns, and human–cat relationships. Interviews and owner questionnaires add context about what people notice at home versus what cats actually do.

Do Cats See Us as “Big, Clumsy Cats”?

The playful quip that cats view us as “oversized, silly cats” isn’t quite right. The more accurate take is this: cats interact with us as if we’re cats—because those are the social rules they know. They clearly recognize our size and peculiarities, but their default social language doesn’t change. Importantly, cats don’t rub on subordinates. When your cat weaves around your legs or offers a tail-up greeting, it isn’t calling you foolish; it’s treating you like a familiar, valued social partner.

Can We Know What Cats Think About Us?

We can get closer, but more research is needed. Because cats aren’t “wildlife” in the classic ecological sense, they’ve historically attracted less field research attention than many wild species or dogs. That’s slowly changing as scientists focus on emotion, cognition, stress, and social learning in pet cats.

A Big Surprise: Hidden Stress in Household Cats

One striking finding is how stressed many pet cats can be without their owners noticing. Tension is especially common in multi-cat homes that lack enough resources or personal space. Beyond obvious bite and scratch wounds from fights, stress is linked to dermatitis and feline idiopathic cystitis (inflammation of the bladder), both of which can flare when stress hormones run high.

Easing Multi-Cat Tension

Medication isn’t the only lever. Often, simply redesigning the social environment helps. Separating incompatible cats into distinct home zones, adding multiple feeding and water stations, providing ample litter boxes in quiet, easy-to-exit locations, and creating elevated routes and hiding places can lower conflict. When two cats that don’t get along are given clear, non-overlapping territories, the problem often fades.

Common Owner Questions, Answered

Why do some cats yowl when they’re alone in a room?

Cats are excellent associative learners. If vocalizing reliably summons a person, many cats will use that sound to request contact, access, or assistance. It’s not random noise; it’s targeted communication shaped by what has worked before.

Why do cats “favor” one household member?

Cats learn what works with whom. If one person gets up early, offers treats, or responds to subtle cues, a cat will strategically seek out that individual for needs that person reliably meets.

Why the rhythmic “kneading” with their paws?

Kneading is a kittenhood behavior used during nursing. Adult cats repurpose it with trusted humans because so much of their human-directed behavior echoes mother–kitten interactions: tail-up approaches, rubbing, purring, kneading, and soliciting grooming or touch.

Can Cats Be Trained?

Yes—more than most people expect. Cats learn quickly what earns or loses access to valued things. Humane, low-stress strategies work best: redirect with engaging play, make unwanted perches unstable or unrewarding (for example, placing a safe springy toy that startles but doesn’t scare), and reinforce alternatives like a nearby cat tree or window perch. If you use gentle aversives such as a water spritz, ensure the cat does not associate it with a person; cats remember and avoid stressors, which can harm trust. Positive reinforcement is usually faster and kinder.

What Cat Owners Should Keep in Mind

Cats are social—up to a point. Many thrive solo; others enjoy compatible company, but compatibility isn’t guaranteed. If you want multiple cats, prepare to slowly introduce, provide duplicated resources (litter, food, water, resting spots), and be ready to pivot if the match isn’t working. Above all, remember that your cat’s affectionate routines—tail-up greetings, rubs, kneading, purring, resting nearby—are not random quirks; they’re a feline social language directed at you. Understanding that language is the surest path to a calmer, happier life together.

animal tags:

We created this article in conjunction with AI technology, then made sure it was fact-checked and edited by a Animals Top editor.