Discover how cats see humans and gain insight into the unique perspective of these fascinating feline creatures. Explore the world of feline vision and learn more about the bond between cats and their human companions.
How do cats see humans
Have you ever wondered how cats see us ? Their sounds, glances, body movements and interactions to claim our attention feed the language of cats with humans and should form the basis of a harmonious coexistence. At ExpertAnimal we aim to provide you with rigorous knowledge that will help you become a better tutor or, at least, to delve into the nuances that make them so special.
Some cultures attribute mystical qualities to cats, considering them protective animals that absorb bad energies or possess the ability to contact higher planes. If you stay with us, in these lines we are going to explain how cats see humans, how they perceive us or if they see us in black and white. Will you join us?
Do cats see us as their parents?
For decades, feline behavior scholars have been asking themselves whether cats see us as slaves, imbued by behaviorist currents or, in other words, the paternalism of guardians who only take care of the most basic care of the animal. The emergence of the concept of Animal Welfare [1] in the mid-nineteenth century in the United Kingdom marked a turning point and the opening to a more holistic care of the cat.
In the current context, with a new Animal Protection Law in force, there is more emphasis on the idea that cats see us as their parents, but not in the literal sense . By integrating company, shared play, interactive toys or outings outside and there being a growing interest in their psychology and their true requirements, guardians act more as caregivers or guarantors of their well-being . This encourages them to perceive us as their “parents”, although they are aware that we are not their parents.
Do cats see us as cats?
It was biologist John Bradshow, professor at the University of Bristol and author of the famous book Inside the Mind of a Cat [2] , who was responsible for introducing a more evolutionary component and raising the question of whether cats see us as big cats. His conclusions gave rise to several investigations to clarify how cats see humans.
One of them, carried out by the University of Oregon, had a great impact. Scientific journals such as Current Biology [3] or The Independent echoed its findings. 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. Today, the idea that they perceive us as their parents-caregivers or as big cats (although clumsier than them) coexists . This is still the subject of study.
How do cats see humans?
Surely more than once your cat has been left staring at the wall or ceiling in ecstasy without you being able to see anything that justifies its behavior. Cats, more than seeing, perceive frequencies (up to five times higher than those we can perceive), vibrations and sounds that are imperceptible to our ears . At that moment, your cat may be noticing, for example, the presence of a mouse 7 meters away.
This heightened sense of hearing allows them to determine the direction and height of the sound/vibration source by modulating the position of their ears, something we cannot do. And since sight is not their most developed sense, cats must rely on hearing and smell to avoid failure in their hunting maneuvers.
As you can see, their anatomy is designed to provide them with maximum precision and to enable their survival. Therefore, it is not that they possess esoteric or paranormal abilities, but rather that they have resources that give them access to information that is inaccessible to us. All this to favour the success of their stalking and assault tactics and to allow them to meet their energy and nutritional needs. Likewise, they use these same senses to “see” other animals and also us humans. Therefore, rather than being guided by our physical appearance, they rely on the smell we emit and the sounds we use to communicate.
What color do cats see us as?
Although, as we say, sight is not the star sense of cats, it has several strengths that ours lacks. We are referring to central vision and night vision (thanks to their vertical pupils). Did you know that their optimal focus is between 3-6 meters and that they are the domestic mammals with the best binocular vision? This means that they see more clearly than we do at long distances and in frontal planes.
Their peripheral vision is worse than ours, as is their vision at close range. If you approach your cat to say hello, you will be blurred (although they will recognize you by your tone of voice and your scent). To answer the question of how cats see people, it should be noted that they do not see in black and white (as was believed years ago). They see in 3 colors: green, blue and yellow . They do not perceive reddish, saturated or very bright tones.
Conclusions
In short, cats perceive us as big cats that take care of them and, therefore, they forge strong bonds with us that last throughout their lives. Thanks to their fine hearing and quick reflexes, they display reactions that we do not always understand, but which respond to real (physical) stimuli. And if you feel that the bond is not strong enough, do not miss this article: ” How to gain a cat’s trust? “.