Are cats capable of showing people affection?

Question

If they do, how do they show it? I'm a dog person but I just got a cat and it's very different. To me, it seems cats only use you for food, shelter, and sometimes some petting time. Besides that they just lounge and sleep and sometimes bite. Is there something I'm missing?

Answer 1

I have had cats and dogs all my life...and the answer to this is YES! Dogs always seem the same to me... they always seem to have the same basic personality...but cats are a different story. I've never known two cats to behave the same way. So, you will have aloof cats, you will have lap cats... you just have to spend time getting to know him/her. Or, you could research breeds to see which type of typical breed trait may appeal to you. For example, Siamese cats tend to be very chatty and need lots of attention. I have a half Siamese...and I can tell you, she is one demanding, yet loving little furball. I have one cat that is a princess who loves her belly rubbed and my oldest cat-a male...or tends to stay to himself but likes to lay in your lap when you are busy... (like reading etc....)

How they show emotion: purring, using their paws/claws to "knead" into your clothes/skin (we call it "making bisquits"...he, he....), rubbing their bodies and heads up against you (this is how they mark/claim you...or tell you they are hungry), being chatty, presenting you with "gifts" such as a toy or dead animal (ewe), and sometimes they make look at you and slowly blink....or squint their eyes... this means they are content...mellow....

If you want love from your kitty....be interactive. Lots of toys, climbing trees, cat nip etc... Engage your feline into activities where you can bond with him/her....groom them, train them to simple commands.... but never force yourself....

If you expect them just to up and entertain you...and love you...forget it... You have to meet them half way. They are not pack animals that want to please their master like dogs... Cats need a good reason to give you their time. They lay around all day because they are generally nocturnal animals that hunt at night. They conserve their energy during the day...what we see as laziness...is their natural behavior. If you do not engage them-they will become bored...possibly depressed...and this can lead to health issues and social avoidance....

Good luck!

Answer 2

Cats are absolutely capable of showing affection, however this is an earned behavior (unlike a dog). No, that is not a typo, you must earn their love, and it's not as easy as it sounds. A cat takes about 2-3 weeks to get really comfy in a new environment, and kittens are very different from older cats. I'm not sure which you have, so I'll go through the behaviors of both. Kittens are trouble from the word go. They are cute and funny to watch, but they will do things to intentionally make you angry just to test their boundaries. This will continue until they are about a year old. The best way to "train" a kitten is to behave like a mama-cat. If they go someplace you don't want them, gently pick them up by the scruff, give them a little shake (be gentle, you don't want to hurt it) and set them on the ground. They will likely jump right back up to where they weren't supposed to be, but just repeat the same scruff/shake/set down routine, and be patient! The kitten will catch on. A firm "NO" while doing this will help. As for the biting, well, what would a mama-cat do? Bite back. Again, be gentle, but a little nibble on the ear will remind the kitten that being bitten isn't so much fun. If the kitten likes to scratch you while playing, gently tap on it's paw, say "NO" in your firm voice and stop playing with it for a few minutes. Cats are very smart creatures, and the kitten will learn that playing with their nails out means you won't play anymore. Oh yeah, and they REALLY like to play. Once the kitten realizes that not only are you the source of food/shelter/petting but that you have set the rules and you've become the "mama-cat" affection will be on it's way. My cats greet me at the door when I come home, and one of them follows me like a shadow. I've even trained the other one to give me "kisses" on command. All cat training is possible, just takes a bit of time, and lots of patience. If you've adopted an older cat, the affection should come much sooner. Once it has established both it's routine and yours, you should see a difference in their behavior. The background of an older cat is important, it may not have had a good experience with people and will need some extra patience. Treats will help in this case - it'll show that you want to try to be friends. Be sure not to hold a cat against its will, or it will always run from you. Cats don't like to feel trapped. After what feels like a lifetime of sucking up to your cat, it will eventually stick it's butt in your face - this is the highest sign of affection and respect. It will be unpleasant for you, but all of your hard work will have paid off. You will watch your cat grow and learn new things (such as the fun a dripping tap can be, and all of the secret hiding places you would have NEVER thought of) and you'll see it come to you for assurance. A cat that brings you "gifts" such as its toys is also showing you their love. No two cats are exactly the same, but they do share very similar qualities and quirks. Before you know it, you'll be sharing these with your friends while they look at you like you are crazy. It happens to the best of us. Good luck!

Answer 3

Cats are very different from dogs, so you really shouldn't compare the two. They say that "Dogs have owners. Cats have staff" and that's very true.
But to answer your question - yes. Cats will show emotion. Some more than others. They will come to you and rub themselves against your leg and purr when you pat them. Some will greet you when you come in the door, some will purr just from the thought of the patting they are about to get. Some will follow you around, like a dog.
They will not wag their tail (they do that when they're upset), but if their tail is up, they are happy.

Answer 4

Absolutely, you're missing a lot!!! Given that they all have their own little personalities (or big ones, as the case may be), they're very affectionate. Sleeping on your lap, kneading their paws on you when they're happy, having to reach out and touch you when they're NOT lying on you. My oldest is the best snuggler -- she rubs her little had in my neck and cheek and purrs really loud, gives kisses and hugs. My littlest one has to sleep ON my shoulder and bites me on the nose to wake up and give her kisses in the morning. A previous cat literally had to sleep wrapped around my head or across my throat. There's a thousand ways they show affection... Even a little "love bite" now and then is affection, even if you don't appreciate it too much! =)

Answer 5

Of course!
You just have to be on the cat's wavelength to accept it on their terms; cats are independent, not like dogs.
When a cat butts its head against you (headbutts) it is showing
affection, if it rubs against your legs, purrs when you talk to it or pet it. and if a cat rolls over on its back and exposes its tummy to
you, it is showing you that it has the ultimate trust in you and loves you very much!

Answer 6

Build up a relationship with your cat with this in mind: cats seem to think that we belong to them, and not the other way round, so your cat just got a human, and will have to train you! I have had one of my cats for twelve years, and she shows me huge amounts of affection. The other, a neutered male, is only three, and really "streetwize". He opens the fridge and steals food, walks on counters, and attacks my old cat. I didnt like him for quite a while, and then slowly got to know him, (he has always been my sons cat) - and he actually waits for me to get home, I have a big old diesel van, and when he hears it, from about a kilometer away, he always asks to go out, and he waits for me on the gatepost. Cats always like to walk first, be in front etc, so get to know your cat slowly, and in time I bet you will appreciate having an ancient Egyptian in your home!!!

Answer 7

ALl of you who said that cats are heartless creatures who use you are wrong. My cat hates being without me, and gets upset when i go on vacation. if im really sad, i'll start petting him and he will try to make me feel better. he sleeps next to me in bed like a human, but sometimes sleeps on my pillow. and sometimes, he used to do this all the time, he will but one of his paws over my shoulder. and cats show plenty of emotion to each other, especially if they are brother/sister /father/mother. my cat and his brother used to live together, and they'd play tag, and the one with the white paws would but his arm over the other cats back,and then run. they would groom each other, and they cared deeply about each other. my cat is sleeping on my chair with me right now.
Here is a poem about cats:
When you were hungry, I was always there,
when my boyfriend broke up with me, you wouldn't just stare.
I'd cry, you'd even die, to cheer me up again,
Always there when i need you, i knew you had began
to relieze that i won't let anything happen to you,
Forever.
We make each other happy, although not when you're sick,
because I will do anything,
to help you out.
You sit by me by the fireplace,
looking into my eyes,
with a sweet half closed eye look, that tells me,
"I'll be there when you need me"

Answer 8

Of course they do....mine is always there to greet me when I come home from work, he loves to cuddle up in the chair with me, and he even sleeps with me....he also has to be touching me...either by placing his paw over my arm, or snuggled up to me. You just have to show them the same affection that they want. It just takes a little longer with cats. The difference with cats is that they don't need AS MUCH affection as a dog. Mine demands it and I'm more than glad to give it to him.

Answer 9

Yes, they are. I have grown up with cats around me all of my life. All cats have different personalities, just like people. Cats are more independent and require less hands-on care, but they do need your affection and attention. In time, you will receive reciprocation.

Answer 10

Different cats have different personalities, of course. But I am here to tell you that I spent most of my life as a non-cat person. Ten years ago married a cat lover and tried to adjust. We divorced and what do you know, I now have five cats (he kept two)! My best success has been to attend to their every physical need, but otherwise ignore them. Don't chase them, don't pick them up, don't pet them . . . until they come to you. And in my experience they will. All my cats are now wh*res for petting and want to be in my lap or on my shoulder or on my pillow. They come to me begging for attention, and all because in the beginning I let them think it was their idea.

Answer 11

Yes they can. When ever your gone and all of the sudden he approaches you and rubs his body to you leg and makes crazy moves with his tail, that is what affection is. If you treat them nice they act the same but if you've ever seen the witch's cat, he is always getting the chills. Because he is afraid of his master.