Introduction
Cats have lived alongside humans for over 10,000 years, transitioning from wild hunters to one of the world’s most popular companion animals (Driscoll et al., 2009). While often described as independent and mysterious, research in animal psychology shows cats have complex social, cognitive, and emotional capacities.
This article explores the psychology of cats, including their behaviour, emotions, communication styles, and relationships with humans, to help cat owners better understand their feline companions.
1. Do cats have emotions?
Research increasingly supports that cats experience a range of emotions similar to other mammals, including fear, pleasure, frustration, and affection (Bradshaw, 2013).
- Fear/anxiety: Triggered by loud noises, unfamiliar environments, or lack of control. Chronic stress is linked to health problems in cats (Overall & Dyer, 2005).
- Pleasure/comfort: Purring, kneading, and relaxed body language indicate contentment.
- Affection: Cats form secure attachments to owners in ways similar to infants with caregivers (Vitale et al., 2019).
Key takeaway: Cats are emotionally complex, and their wellbeing depends on safe, predictable environments.
2. Feline cognition: How do cats think?
Memory and learning
Cats have strong associative learning, remembering people and places linked to positive or negative experiences (Bentosela et al., 2009).
Problem-solving
Cats use trial-and-error strategies to solve puzzles, especially when motivated by food or play. While they may be less motivated to cooperate with humans compared to dogs, studies show they can learn tasks and signals when rewarded (Pongrácz et al., 2019).
Object permanence
Like young children, cats understand that objects continue to exist when out of sight—a sign of advanced cognitive processing (Goulet et al., 2009).
3. Cat–human communication
Cats have evolved unique communication strategies to interact with humans:
- Meowing: Rarely used in cat-to-cat communication but frequently used with humans to gain attention (Bradshaw, 2013).
- Purring: Associated with contentment but can also signal distress or a request for care (McComb et al., 2009).
- Body language: Tail position, ear orientation, and slow blinking all provide cues to emotional state.
- Slow blink effect: Cats respond positively when humans “slow blink” at them, a sign of trust and non-threat (Humphrey et al., 2020).
4. The social psychology of cats
Although descended from solitary hunters, domestic cats are capable of forming social groups, especially when resources are abundant (Crowell-Davis et al., 2004).
- In multi-cat households: Social hierarchies can form, but aggression may emerge if space and resources are limited.
- With humans: Cats often treat owners as attachment figures. A 2019 study found that most cats displayed secure attachment patterns to their caregivers, much like infants and dogs (Vitale et al., 2019).
5. Cat personalities
Cats show consistent personality traits over time, similar to human personality psychology.
- “Feline Five”: Research suggests five broad personality dimensions in cats—neuroticism, extraversion, dominance, impulsiveness, and agreeableness (Litchfield et al., 2017).
- Influence on wellbeing: Highly neurotic cats are more prone to stress-related illness, while highly agreeable cats are more affectionate.
Understanding a cat’s personality can help owners provide tailored enrichment and reduce stress.
6. Mental health in cats
Stress and anxiety
Stress in cats can manifest as hiding, aggression, over-grooming, or inappropriate urination. Chronic stress weakens the immune system and can lead to illness (Stella et al., 2013).
Depression-like behaviours
Cats deprived of stimulation or social contact may display lethargy, reduced play, or changes in appetite.
Enrichment as therapy
Environmental enrichment (scratching posts, toys, interactive feeding) and secure social contact reduce behavioural problems and improve feline mental health (Ellis, 2009).
7. The psychology of cats and humans: Why we love them
Cats fulfil psychological needs for companionship, stress relief, and comfort.
- Attachment bonds: Many cat owners see their pets as family members.
- Therapeutic effects: Interaction with cats lowers stress hormones and supports wellbeing (Beetz et al., 2012).
- Unique bond: Unlike dogs, cats often maintain independence, which appeals to people who value both connection and autonomy.
FAQs
Q: Do cats feel love for humans?
Yes. Studies show cats form secure attachments to their owners, similar to human infants and dogs (Vitale et al., 2019).
Q: Are cats more independent than dogs?
Cats evolved as solitary hunters but adapt to social living. They are more independent than dogs but still form strong emotional bonds.
Q: Can cats get depression?
Yes. Cats can develop depression-like behaviours when under chronic stress or deprived of stimulation.
Q: What is feline psychology?
Feline psychology is the study of how cats think, feel, and behave, including their emotions, learning, and relationship with humans.
References
- Beetz, A., Uvnäs-Moberg, K., Julius, H. & Kotrschal, K. (2012) ‘Psychosocial and psychophysiological effects of human-animal interactions: The possible role of oxytocin’, Frontiers in Psychology, 3, 234.
- Bentosela, M., Barrera, G., Jakovcevic, A., Elgier, A.M. & Mustaca, A.E. (2009) ‘Effect of reinforcement, reinforcer omission and extinction on a communicative response in domestic cats’, Journal of Ethology, 27, pp. 105–111.
- Bradshaw, J.W.S. (2013) Cat Sense: How the New Feline Science Can Make You a Better Friend to Your Pet. London: Allen Lane.
- Crowell-Davis, S.L., Curtis, T.M. & Knowles, R.J. (2004) ‘Social organization in the cat: A modern understanding’, Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, 6(1), pp. 19–28.
- Driscoll, C.A. et al. (2009) ‘The taming of the cat’, Scientific American, 300(6), pp. 68–75.
- Ellis, S.L.H. (2009) ‘Environmental enrichment: Practical strategies for improving feline welfare’, Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, 11(11), pp. 901–912.
- Goulet, S., Doré, F.Y. & Rousseau, R. (2009) ‘Object permanence and invisible displacement in cats’, Animal Cognition, 12(6), pp. 747–755.
- Humphrey, T., Proops, L., Forman, J., Spooner, R. & McComb, K. (2020) ‘The role of cat eye narrowing movements in cat–human communication’, Scientific Reports, 10, 16503.
- Litchfield, C.A., Quinton, G., Tindle, H., Chiera, B., Kikillus, K.H. & Roetman, P. (2017) ‘The “Feline Five”: An exploration of personality in pet cats (Felis catus)’, PLoS ONE, 12(8), e0183455.
- McComb, K., Taylor, A.M., Wilson, C. & Charlton, B.D. (2009) ‘The cry embedded within the purr’, Current Biology, 19(13), pp. R507–R508.
- Overall, K.L. & Dyer, D. (2005) ‘Enrichment strategies for laboratory animals from the viewpoint of clinical veterinary behavioural medicine: Emphasis on cats and dogs’, ILAR Journal, 46(2), pp. 202–216.
- Pongrácz, P., Szapu, J.S. & Faragó, T. (2019) ‘Cats (Felis silvestris catus) read human gaze for referential information’, Intelligence, 74, pp. 43–52.
- Stella, J.L., Croney, C.C. & Buffington, C.T. (2013) ‘Environmental factors that affect the behaviour and welfare of domestic cats living in the home’, Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, 15(8), pp. 737–749.
- Vitale, K.R., Behnke, A.C. & Udell, M.A.R. (2019) ‘Attachment bonds between domestic cats and humans’, Current Biology, 29(18), pp. R864–R865.
