Do cats return any of the affection you give them?

Question

We all know that dogs are very affectionate , they show it so easily but do cats really return the love they get .
I have a cat and if I let him on my lap he purrs like mad but is he just doing it because he likes the attention .
He knows i have treats for him and he knows where I put them for him so he sits where they are supposed to be and yowls at me but thats just because he wants something .
He sleeps on my bed and again he purrs like thunder but , thats just because he likes being where he is .
As has been said in other questions I cant train him to do anything i want and I'm sure if I wasnt here he would survive quite well .
He doesnt really need me and I DONT own him , I think he just tollerates having me around , and in answer to another question , he sits and stands where he wants to , he lives here like me

Answer 1

You're right, cats don't really need us for anything except food, so they purr and rub on us to get us to feed them. Dogs are more relationship driven. If you stop feeding a cat, it will run away; if you stop feeding a dog, it will starve to death on your doorstep.

Answer 2

Yes, cats do feel affection for their people (you're right we aren't owners), the same type of affection they had for their mothers. In fact, companion cats are living in perpetual kittenhood. The are hopefully neutered and don't reproduce, they don't live off the vermin they catch and they are utterly dependent on us for their lifestyle. The joy of having a cat in the house is that it chooses to want our attention, warmth and love. They aren't pack animals so they aren't hard-wired like dogs are to submit to us. They will leave a house if they're mistreated (and get the chance). And they can become neurotic and depressed if not well treated. A sleek, happy, healthy cat is a testament to the owner's loving care. The attention they want is like a superstar wanting to dance with us. he affection they give us isn't any purer than our own for our parents, if our parents were loving ones, but it's just as important to the cat.

Answer 3

I have had and still do have cats around me. Yes, cats do show affection in numerous ways. They will protect you. Take care of you when you are sick ( even when you do not realize it yet.), they treat you as family and are very loyal.
I have diabetes and my Romeo let's me know when I should check my sugar, need to lay down and more. At first I was a bit amazed.
When I had to have a foot operated on...He would lay near and sometimes a bit on it. My foot doctor was amazed as to how quickly it healed up.
To sum it all up...
God has blessed humans with so much and one is that our pets can and do Love, show affection, protect, take care of us, etc and still return this and more to us.
Each sound your cat makes is telling you something. The more you talk, sing and interact with your cat the more attached he/she will become to you. Do not be surprised if you hear your cat talk...Yes, talk. It is proven even some cats and dogs have been known to speak.
NO, I AM NOT CRAZY... This is true. Just keep loving your cat as you want to be loved if you were him/her.
Cats are wonderful companions.

Answer 4

A cat's purr is an involuntary reflex and is stimulated with a touch usually or a voice. Cats rub themselves with their faces or sides of their body to show affection as well. They also may lick you or groom you. Quarter Pounder, the cat I had before Jazz always gave me kisses on my nose or cheek. She knead me when she wanted comfort. Jazz is still young and not quite as affectionate, but as cats age , I find the females become more affectionate.

Answer 5

It's true what they say:
You own a dog
You feed a cat

Some cats are very affectionate and some are just downright lazy. But if you give them more attention like petting and normally playing with some toys. They learn to trust you and they start knowing that you are family. Some just might not be comfy around you yet.

Answer 6

Cats are like people in that each are different and have their own personalites. Some people don't know how to be affectionate as so some cats. Ours are very affectionate. They curl up on us to snuggle when sleeping. One of our loves to gives kisses and even wants to be held like a baby over the shoulder and patted on the bottom.

Answer 7

The cat is already showing you so much affection your just not seeing it. She sits on your lap and purs, she sleeps with you, It took me three years to get my cat to even snuggle me, but I knew she always loved me. Try playing fetch with her throw a paper ball and see if she'll bring it back if she does give her a treat, all cat show love but they are completly different from dogs get a few books on cats from the library and you'll learn more about their natures. I think youv'e got a good cat. Lucky you

Answer 8

I believe they do. Because dogs give their affection so freely, and cats are more selective about who they give their affection to, it's more of an honor to be "chosen" by a cat. And yes, your cat probably could survive without you - all the more reason to appreciate that he *chooses* to be around you in spite of that. Look into his eyes the next time he's purring like thunder on your lap. You'll see.

Answer 9

Some do more than others. Some just plain don't want attention at all. Cats seem to have a much wider variety of personalities than dogs.

Answer 10

Yes, like dogs, cats have different temperments (personalities). My mom's cat is an affection hog! He's also very vocal - you can always tell his mood. He loves to snuggle and he plays favorites. He will come running if he hears my brother's voice! We used to joke about how he shatters the myth of the stand-offish cat...Leo is anything but.