Do Cats Have Emotions Like Humans?

If you ask any cat parent, they’ll know that their pet feels a range of different emotions. From happy to sad, and bored through to excited, cats experience a variety of feelings and can express these in special ways. Although cats don’t necessarily experience feelings in quite the same way as we do, and undoubtedly some cat emotions are more instinctive and humans may mistakenly read more pointedly into them, cats can be experts in picking up on how their owners are feeling and will adapt their behaviour in response.

So, have you ever looked at your pet and wondered: do cats have feelings towards their owners, and do cats have emotions? Can cats sense sadness, and do cats feel love? If you’d like to know more about the mysterious world of feline feelings, let’s delve into whether cats can feel emotions like we do, whether cats love their owners, and consider how their body language can show us what they’re really thinking.

Understanding Your Cat's Emotions

It may seem obvious to point out, but humans and cats are not the same, and our range of feelings may be quite different to theirs. We know that cats do have emotions, but we can sometimes look at cats’ feelings through our human lens and misunderstand exactly how our pet is feeling. Of course, like humans, cats can feel hungry, thirsty, elated, relaxed, confused, scared and angry. But many pet owners also think their cat can feel real love, empathy and concern, which is trickier to prove. But, thanks to our special relationship built over centuries of cohabiting together, cats can help convey how they’re feeling using a mix of body language, vocalisations and interactions. Understanding how your cat is feeling emotionally can help to improve your relationship, as well as enhance your pets’ wellbeing.

Do Cats Feel Love?

Have you ever looked at a very content cat and wondered: cats do have emotions like us, and do cats feel love? Whilst human and animal concepts of love may differ, it’s certainly true that cats can feel strong affection for their owners, and can love and care for them in their own special way. Cats often like to show loving and affectionate feelings towards their humans by purring, cat kneading, slow blinking, rubbing against you, or giving a gentle head butt, just like mother cats do with their kittens. Animal behaviourists have been fascinated by these special signs of affection which make up the cat-human bond, and although some differ in their opinions on cats feeling love like we do, most cats are affectionate creatures who are able to pick up on their owners’ emotions and show an appropriate response in order which satisfies their favourite humans. We like to think of this as real love.

Can Cats Sense Sadness?

You may sometimes wonder if cats can sense sadness, and the answer is yes, they can. Cats are remarkably emotionally intelligent, and are able to pick up on how their trusted humans are feeling – particularly when it comes to sadness. And although they may not fully understand it, your cat may come and comfort you, give you a quizzical look, or purr and want your attention. Others may work out your unhappy emotional cues and want to give you some space. Many owners however find that their cat offers genuine emotional support in times of need, which is why your special bond is one to be cherished and nurtured through observing and adjusting to meet their emotional needs, too.

Do Cats Love Their Owners?

Cat owners over the centuries have asked: do cats feel love for their humans? The short answer is yes, cats do love their owners in their own special way, and can form very strong bonds with the humans they live with. Some argue that this love is better described as attachment and loyalty, or offering affection and companionship in return for shelter and food, but most pet parents know that their cat loves them through the way they cuddle up to them, become clingy, or seek affection in return. Your cat may follow you, cosy up when you’re feeling unwell, or offer a comforting purr accompanied by head rubbing to display their love in response to yours.

Some experts believe that cats rubbing up on you is a sure sign of affection, as they want to mark their trusted territory as well as seek your attention, whereas others believe humans can mistake loyalty for love and that cats can’t feel quite the same concept of love as we do. Either way, there’s clearly a deep emotional attachment and strong sense of affection that can exist between humans and cats, which is part of your unique bond together which can be very different to that of dogs and other animals.

Do Cats Like Humans?

Every cat is different, and although some cat personalities may not like humans, may be shy, or even display aggressive behaviour towards them, cats in general can be sociable and affectionate creatures who thrive on attention from trusted people. Familiarity, being part of their household, and in response to your caring for them, your cat may show you that they like you in several ways. They may greet you when you come in, seek you out in the house, or bring you in little presents. Cats are known to also prefer certain people over others, which can be directly related to the person who feeds them, but can also be more nuanced in the sense that cats choose the person who makes them feel safest.

Caring for your cat’s feeling

Cats are sophisticated animals with a surprising depth of emotions, which makes them all the more appealing to humans. They may try to understand how you're feeling by picking up on your vocal and body language cues, and may seek to reassure you in their own way. And although we can’t say for sure that your cat loves you in the same way that you love them, you’ll certainly know that your pet trusts, respects, and adores you by giving you subtle affectionate signals right back. By watching out for these little signs, you can take the best care of them and look after their wellbeing by meeting their emotional needs, further building your bond together. Savour those magnetic moments and show your cat how much they mean to you by indulging them with their favourite SHEBA® flavours for their next meal. Resistance is futile. 

Do cats have feelings - FAQs

Do cats have feelings for their owners?

Lots of cats develop strong feelings for their owners. Many pet parents believe that cats do love their owners, and it’s certainly true that cats can form very deep emotional bonds with their favourite humans. Cats will often demonstrate their loving feelings for you by purring, lying on you, nuzzling your head, rubbing up against you, or showing you their belly – an ultimate act of trust.

Do cats get their feelings hurt?

Cats can be sensitive creatures, and can become upset if they’re told off or separated from their favourite people. Cats can quickly pick up on feelings of stress or unhappiness from their owners, and may seek to reassure you using gentle body language. It’s possible to upset your cat and make them feel sad, but most won’t hold onto hurt feelings indefinitely like humans can.

Can cats feel sadness?

You may wonder if cats can sense sadness, and the answer is yes. Cats can be very in-tune with people they know well, and may observe you for facial expressions, tone of voice, and your behaviour. Cats can feel sadness too in their own way, albeit different to how humans do, but they may behave unusually, change their eating habits, or be unwilling to play games and interact. 

Do cats know what kisses are?

As cats don’t kiss in the same way that humans do, they’re unlikely to know exactly what kissing means, but as intelligent creatures they soon learn to associate the action with affection from their owners. They may connect it with grooming and bonding, and may even try to ‘kiss’ you back with a gentle head butt or rubbing their cheek on you. Beautiful.