How Do Cats See Humans?

The domestication of cats is a process that has taken millennia to reach our current stage. While we know that cats and humans developed a commensal relationship, it is not known exactly how this began. There is some evidence to suggest that cats may have domesticated themselves^[1]. By approaching human settlements, they tolerated coexistence with humans due to the care the latter could provide.

Some of us may think that cats treat us like employees. Since many of us are happy to leap at their beck and call, there is some anecdotal evidence to suggest this is the case. However, when we consider it scientifically and look at the relationship between cats and humans through an evolutionary lens, the picture is a little more complicated.

Adult cats in the domestic setting are known to meow at humans, something which usually occurs with kittens in the wild. For this reason, it is mainly a human-directed vocalization^[2]. Kittens meow at their mother to have their needs met, whether this is feeding, protection or even comfort. Once they mature, they should look after themselves and will not need to call for help, although cats may meow a lot for other reasons.

In this way, cats meowing at humans implies that they see us as a maternal figure. In some ways, this is true. We feed them, protect them and look after their general needs, continuing to do so into adulthood. Although some cats will hunt for themselves, they do not need to do it for survival. Cats do not see us as their parents, but they do see us as a parental figure, something which has been encouraged by the domestication process.

Humans integrate the needs of cats into their own routines, playing with them and being affectionate with them, in addition to providing these needs. In this way, cat guardians act more as caregivers or guarantors of their well-being.

Noted biologist John Bradshaw is the author of a very influential book on feline behavior known as Cat Sense^[3]. In this book, he introduced certain evolutionary theories on the interaction between humans and cats. Doing so, he raised the question of whether cats see us as fellow felines. His conclusions led to various studies investigating this very question.

One such study looked at the attachment bonds between domestic cats and humans^[4]. Using criteria previously applied to dogs and babies, they determined that 64% of cats showed a secure attachment to their guardians or caregivers, higher than the 58% of dogs. These attachment bonds are strongest between cats and other cats. For this reason, it implies that a cat may see us as a similar being.

However, the idea that cats actually think of us as other cats is only theoretical. We have too many differences and cats have other physical perceptions which would distinguish us from other animals. They may see us as part of their family, but this is likely due to the aforementioned parental role we play.

As predators in the wild, cats need to their wits about them to survive. This means having senses attuned to their environment and which allow them to track prey with ease. Although this has changed in the domestic setting, cats are naturally crepuscular hunters. This means they thrive in low-light conditions, using acute senses of hearing, smell and vision to succeed.

Feline hearing is particularly acute, perceiving frequencies up to five times higher than those we can perceive. This means they sense vibrations and sounds that are imperceptible to our ears. For this reason, it is common to see a cat startled at apparently nothing or chasing something we have no idea is there. While dogs are known for having great olfactory ability, cats similarly have many smell receptors which allow them to smell at long distances.

Although it is relative, a cat's sense of vision is not their most acute sense. Some ascribe cats an ability that is paranormal, as if they have a sixth sense which can perceive that which we cannot. There is no scientific evidence of this ability and it is generally believed to derive from ancient myths about cats which can sometimes still persist. These perceptions differ according to culture.

How cats see us is thanks to their acute senses. Cats are known for marking their territory, as well as the individuals they consider family. In this way, cats use their own odor to see us, i.e. recognize us. This can also alert other cats to stay away. A cat's perceptive abilities also allow them to hear us coming from long distances, recognizing certain sounds they associate with us when they do so.

As we have stated above, a cat's sense of vision is not usually their most acute. This does not mean to say it is bad. In fact, they have certain strengths which human vision lacks. Thanks to their vertical pupils, they have weak central vision, especially when compared to humans. Their optimal focus is a range around 6-20 ft (2-6 m) away from their eyes.

Although a cat's central vision is worse than our own, their peripheral vision is much better. Cats are excellent at detecting motion and seeing in low light conditions, but their vision is not as keen at a distance. Their frontal vision is more tuned for hunting and motion detection rather than long-range clarity. In fact, when a potential prey is close to them, they will often use vibrations on their whiskers as a way to catch them.

While it is true that a cat's color vision is not as advanced as our own, it is not true that they see in black and while. They have special cells in their eyes which can register green, blue and yellow tones. However, they do not perceive reddish tones, Similarly, their vision is not as acute when facing saturated or very bright color tones.

Discover more about how a cat can perceive humans with our article asking can cats sense our emotions?

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