I’m wondering if cats think of us kind of like how a person thinks of a friendly bull: aware that they could easily kill us, but not necessarily afraid of them; or more like a large Dalmatian: they could fuck us up, but most of us don’t really think about that unless they’re being aggressive.

I grew up with dogs and feel like I understand them a lot better than I do cats as a whole. I adopted my cat almost four years ago and I feel like I get her pretty well, but I don’t really have an idea of what she thinks about me. I also don’t really know any other cats, though I’ve gotten along with strays and friends’ cats a lot better since I got mine.

Cat tax:

  • pjwestin@lemmy.worldEnglish
    251·
    9 months ago

    To be honest, I don’t think your cat thinks about things the way you’re thinking about them. Your behavior has shown your cat that you’re safe, so your cat isn’t afraid of you. If you start acting aggressive or scary it will treat you like a threat and fight or flight based on what it decides in the moment, but that’s about it. It’s not thinking, “this giant ape could kill me if it wanted, I’m glad it’s my friend,” it just has a positive association with you based on your pattern of behavior.

    Also, cats social cues aren’t as obvious as dogs, but if you don’t know what you’re cats thinking, here are some clues: is your cat walking around with its tail up a lot, usually curled at the top like a little question mark? Your cat feels super happy and confident in it’s territory (AKA your house). Does it ever look at you and narrow or close it’s eyes and look away, sorta like it’s nodding off? Your cat is saying it trusts you enough to let it’s gaurd down, it’s basically a cat hug.

    Edit: cat tax.

    • pjwestin@lemmy.worldEnglish
      11·
      9 months ago

      Oh, one more I forgot, cat-loaf! Cats put their paws underneath them to conserve heat. It also means they’re putting their primary weapons away, so they only do this when they feel happy and safe…or they’re very cold. If your cat is loafing a lot, it’s either very happy or you need to turn your heat up.

      • EssentialCoffee@midwest.socialEnglish
        3·
        9 months ago

        I once saw a self-proclaimed ‘cat expert’ YouTuber say that a cat loafing was a bad sign. Like a sign they were being abused and scared or some other crock of shit.

        I turned off their video when it got to that piece.

    • Darkblue@lemmy.worldEnglish
      42·
      9 months ago

      Got to love that picture: shares an insightful post about cat psychology regarding how to tell when a cat feels safe. Follows up posting a picture of a scared/triggered cat :D

      • pjwestin@lemmy.worldEnglish
        51·
        9 months ago

        Nah, she’s just spazzing out over the baby bouncer she’s sitting on, it was new and she wanted to get her sent all over it.