"Don't look now, but I think your cat is watching us..."
Sharing your life and home with a pet cat is one of the greatest gifts we as humans get to experience. From their cute little quirks and purrs to the affection they gift you after a long day at work, what could be better than having a kitten companion? Even when they're moody and reject your cuddles, you can't help but be obsessed with some of the friendliest cat breeds known for love and gratitude.
Including being lovers, it is safe to say that cats mirror their humans much more than we realize. Cat owners know that bond with their feline friend goes deep and lasts a lifetime, and there are lots of areas of life where cats just seem to be human-like. Here are a few ways cats resemble humans — Any of these sound like you and your cat?
1. Cats love a good nap!
First and foremost, it's important to prioritize self-care. This goes for any creature, from mammals to reptiles, but it especially applies to the adorable kitties that carry around the weight of the world! Because of their protein-rich diet, cats sleep up to 16 hours a day to aid in their digestive process.
2. Cats have enemies!
Cats don't get along with everyone either, and those enemies sometimes come in the form of an arch-nemesis! Like people dealing with annoying neighbors or co-workers, some cats have to tolerate living with affectionate dogs that slobber on everything and enjoy foolish games like fetch. Jokes aside, while many assume cats inherently loathe dogs, studies show that the two animals do not instinctively hate each other. Their dynamic is often a result of faulty cross-species communication, and like humans, communication and understanding are the keys to any good relationship.
3. Cats like being home!
Listen, we've all found perks within the whole work-from-home thing, and it's safe to say that this would be an ideal set up for a cat in corporate. Cats are highly independent creatures who enjoy being in the environments they deem safe, though it's important to note that it's never recommended to leave an adult cat home alone for over 48 hours.
4. Cats get hangry!
Like humans, a cat's mood will drastically change if they aren't fed on a consistent enough basis, resulting in that whole "hangry" thing we tend to feel. There are many diets that cats can follow, like wet food versus dry food and raw versus processed, but what mostly matters is that their meals consist of protein-rich ingredients to keep them energized and healthy. Cats are also believed to be the only mammals who don't taste sweetness.
5. Cats have friends!
Cats are typically thought to be solitary and antisocial, but that simply isn't the case. Like humans, cats are social creatures that love company — It simply depends on how they were raised and socialized as kittens. If a cat is separated from its litter too young, it will grow distrustful of humans and other cats. A cat with good experiences with felines and humans will grow up friendlier and more outwardly sociable.
6. Cats need alone time!
If you think you're the only one who needs alone time to recharge, this cat above begs to differ. It's exhausting being socially performative, which is why they need just as much quiet and alone time as we do. While us humans are recommended to get around 8 hours, more than half of cats sleep between 12 and 18 hours a day and nearly 40 percent of cats sleep even more than that.
7. Cats bathe!
Well, they probably enjoy it a bit less in comparison to how we respond to showers, but the statement remains true. While water may not be every cat's favorite, cats need grooming just like we do. The good thing is that cats are also pretty good at their own grooming habits. With their tongues, teeth, and paws, they're usually able to keep themselves fresh and clean without any outside intervention.
8. Cats enjoy nature!
You think you're the only plant mom around here? The revival of bees and nourishment of our local gardens means just as much to outdoor cats as it means to plant lovers everywhere. While many cats in urbanized areas are raised exclusively as indoor pets, it's no secret that training cats to go outdoors can lead to a much more exciting and explorative life. Consider building a safe catio for your pet feline, too!
9. Cats are smart!
Cats are highly intelligent creatures, as are humans! In terms of development, the first year of a cat's life is equal to the first 15 years of a human life. After its second year, a cat is 25 in human years. Each year of a cat's life after those formative months is equal to about seven human years. They also have nearly twice the amount of neurons in their cerebral cortex as dogs, which is probably why many cats seem to be the dominant one in many cat-dog relationships.
What are your cat's quirky, human-like behaviors? Share them with our Wide Open Pets Instagram!
