one theory about cats sleeping on your lap or stomache or whatever is that it is just a warm spot for them... another statement is "you own a dog, but you feed a cat"...has anybody seen actual "affection" from a cat?..
2006-09-03 17:38:41 · 20 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Cats
Hi there...yes, cats can exhibit affection as well as miss their human family members and their pet mates. They also can grieve as well. Some behaviours are instinctual for survival--food, shelter, etc.
Here's a wonderful web article that goes into detail about feline emotions: http://www.messybeast.com/emoticat.html
Excerpt about affection:
Cats show obvious pleasure in company of a familiar person, often a modified cat/kitten relationship. The presence of a companion/caregiver (surrogate parent) produces happiness (a basic emotion).. In the domestic setting, most cats adopt a kitten role, allowing us to groom them, play with them and provide food and warmth. By demonstrating their happiness (which we term "affection") they reinforce the cat-owner bond and ensure a continued supply of companionship and care.
Mother cats show affection towards their kittens. This is part of maternal care. Male cats have been known to show affection to their mates and towards their own kittens - this is similar to the behaviour of lions towards their own cubs (but not towards unrelated cubs)..
There is little doubt that most pet cats enjoy the company of their humans and give affection in return. Those who deny that cats can be affectionate should analyse exactly what it is that makes humans affectionate. The underlying causes of affection are actually very similar!
2006-09-03 17:50:48 · answer #1 · answered by ♪ Seattle ♫ 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
There is no doubt cats have actual affection for humans. A stray cat that I'd only seen a couple of times came to me when he was dying. I fed him a few times, but he stuck around this time. When he was dying I held him in my arms while he had convulsions for almost an hour. He died in my arms. He would never have come to me if he didn't want to be loved.
A cat died today. The others could see that I was crying and upset. They all came to me one by one wanting to be held and wanting to comfort me.
I used to have a cat that died when he was 16 years old. Everytime that I cried, he would run and jump in my lap and want to be held. He knew that I was upset and wanted to comfort me. Cats are very smart. Just because you feed a cat does not mean that it will be there to show affection when you need it. If they really love you they will show you affection even if they are not fed and kept warm as you put it. Cats that are loved will definitely show affection in return.
2006-09-05 02:24:15 · answer #2 · answered by Karen H 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We have several cats. And I can assure cats do show genuine affection. They just do it in a way that's different from a dog. We had one cat a while back that knew the time of day approximately, and knew when it was about time for me to come home. He knew my routine was to come inside, go into the bedroom, and put down my keys and wallet. When I did, he would run into the bedroom, jump up on the bed, and wait for me to finish my routine. Then he would beg me to pet him, and play with him for 15 minutes or so before he knew all was right in the world, and we both could go about the rest of our day.
We have another cat that couldn't be more affectionate. He crys when he can't be around us, he "head buts" whoever is holding him to get them to pet him more. His personality is just the most warm loving animal you could imagine. No it's not just for food. The cats have food and water available to them 24/7/365.
Cats may not cozy up to everyone like some dogs do, but to those they take a liking to they definitely become very affectionate.
2006-09-04 00:53:53 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I am 100% sure cats show actual affection!
I had a cat by the name of Simba. He would
show his emotions about everything he felt.
Simba's purr was so loud when he would "Milk
Tread" on my back, that I had to turn up the
T.V. to hear it. I was sick for a while. Simba
was there beside me all the time. I could see
the concern in his eyes. He was worried about
me. There are countless examples of my Boy
showing affection, but not enough time in the
day to tell you all of them.
Yes, cats do have humans wrapped around
their paws, I'll have to admit.
I'm happy to say I am my cat's human.
Eagleman
2006-09-04 01:44:37 · answer #4 · answered by Eagleman 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think they can. there are four people in my house and two cats. One of the cats barely has anything to do with me but loves my youngest the other cat follows me around like a puppy. My daughters feed them more than I do but she seems to prefer me. Sometimes she will sit on my daughters' or my husbands lap if I am up and about but as soon as I sit down she jumos up and crawls on my lap. She spends at least half the day sitting right next to moe or laying in the same room that I am working in- If I leve the room, she follows. The other half, she runs around outside and does her own independent thing. She will also obey me and no one else in the house. I , personally have never seen a cat behave like this but it shows they do have their preferences for people.
2006-09-04 01:03:35 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm sure they show affection. My wife went away for a month, and when she returned the cat wouldn't leave her alone, although she had been well fed and given lots of loving during that time.
2006-09-04 00:44:30 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Cats definitely show affection. If our male, Blaze, were simply looking for a warm spot, he wouldn't discriminate between us and other people. But as it is, he will only sack out on me or my husband. Strangers can't get much lovin' from him.
2006-09-04 12:19:32 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have 5 cat's and they do show affection and not just when they are hungry. I have one male cat who actually will almost try to talk it seem's and one who instead of giving kisses like a dog will nudge me on my face with his head. They are definetely affectionate and they do know when your happy and sad.
2006-09-04 03:24:34 · answer #8 · answered by allyson 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My old 22 yr old cat loves to sit right on my chest when I am reading on a cold, wet winter afternoon. I know it is like a heating pad for her (if I set one up for her she wouldn't use it). I have a long-haired cat that won't stay too long on my lap -- I think it just gets too hot for him and he will "spoon" with me when I am watching TV in the evening.
The old cat also sleeps near me on the bed at night and I do think it is because she wants to be near me. Another cat sleeps on the bed at night and always comes under the covers with me when it is cold in the mornings.
I don't think I am deluding myself that they only want warmth from me.
2006-09-04 00:55:59 · answer #9 · answered by old cat lady 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, I do take showers and I don't use a rodent scented face cream, so my cat is not actually compelled to groom me. However she likes to wake me in the morning by washing my face. If thats not affection I don't know what is. Her food dish is alway filled, so she's not begging to be fed. It must be love!
2006-09-04 00:51:54 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋