Today, cats are the most common pets in the world. With a population of about 200 million to 600 million, cats are only becoming more popular as pets today. Throughout their existence, these aloof yet adorable creatures have been an object of fascination and awe. Love them, or hate them — we humans could simply never get enough of cats!
Fiercely intelligent, elegant, calming companions that can handle their own exercise and housekeeping, cats are the ideal pet for some people. Others find them to be painfully independent, cold, and distant. So, what exactly is the nature of the domestic cat, and why does it interact with us the way it does? Read on, and have this mystery revealed!
Cats and Humans — Through the Ages
Cats have been humans’ friends since the dawn of civilization. The cat-human relationship began as a convenience partnership tied to the beginnings of agriculture but has now grown into a mutual connection and appreciation that has been building for the last 10,000 years.
Before humans realized their value as animal companions, cats were used to protect crops from rats and other pests. However, as civilization started to advance, people began to adopt cats as pets — and even worship them. The most famous example of this, of course, is the Egyptian worship of cats. Even before the Egyptians, the Mesopotamians used to revere cats and held a special place for them in their traditions. It is believed that even today, cats would like to remind us that our ancestors used to worship them!
However, many people thought of cats as demonic and connected them with darkness and witchcraft during the Middle Ages. As a result, popes and high-ranking authorities denounced cats, who were frequently tortured and murdered. Cats regained appeal as devoted companions in more recent periods, particularly during the Age of Enlightenment in the 17th and 18th centuries.
How Cats Interact With us
Today, cats are popular pets around the world — and share a mutually beneficial relationship with their owners.
Cats are fiercely independent creatures, and mostly prefer being left alone. People often perceive this aloofness as coldness and disloyalty, as they make the mistake of comparing the behavior of cats to that of dogs. Despite not being as sociable as dogs are, cats can, in fact, develop deep bonds of affection with their humans.
Cats and how they interact with humans are deeply influenced by their position in the food chain — they are both predators and prey. This means that it is in their natural instinct to be on the lookout for bigger predators, which could explain their “untrusting” and aloof nature.
However, with time, cats can grow to trust and socialize with humans. A kitten needs a “sensitive period” of 2–7 weeks old to display affection towards its humans. Cats tend to warm up to humans on their own terms, and the time varies from cat to cat.
Cats interact with people using both visual and audible cues, but they must vocalize to catch our attention. When it comes to other cats, they prefer to depend on visual and smell cues. When a cat says “meow,” it is usually directed toward a human, not another cat. It is believed that cats developed meowing to mimic babies so that they can catch the attention of humans.
What Affects Cat Socialization?
Cats, specifically domestic cats, are highly social creatures. There have been instances where cats live together in groups and interact with each other in a friendly manner.
However, how individual cats socialize ultimately depends on two things — their genetic personalities, and how they have been handled as kittens.
Actively socialized kittens are less afraid while they are in new environments and more able to adjust to environmental changes. The best chance for future good conduct is to leave them with their mother and siblings until they are 8 weeks old, however other experts advise waiting until 12 weeks.
Many solitary kittens that are hand-raised from an early age without the assistance of their mother or other siblings grow up to be wary and aggressive. Socialization, which combines novel experiences with benefits, boosts self-assurance.
In contrast to puppies, kittens hardly ever go to socialization and training classes. This is because cat owners are not aware that even kittens have a sensitive period of handling.
Interacting With Cats
As cats tend to get easily scared of us, there are a few things to keep in mind while interacting with one.
Firstly, you must try not to make sudden movements or loud noises that might surprise the cat. Avoid hovering over it since it makes you look more like a threat. Instead, sit down on the floor to put yourself at its level. Instead of entering your cat’s territory, try welcoming him into yours. This will establish your harmlessness, and invites it to trust you more.
Before petting or picking up a cat, it is important to make sure that they want to be treated that way. As tempting as it is, cats do not like to be picked up without warning or consent. The better you know your cat, the better you will understand if he wants to be petted, through his body language.
Conclusion
Since its inception, cat-human relationships have been based on one thing — mutual respect. It is important to keep this in mind while interacting with a cat. Before bringing a cat into their house as a pet, you should get to know the animal well and respect the cat’s interaction preferences. This way, your feline friend would be warmer, and more affectionate with you.
