Why do cats consider people to be cats? - briefly
Cats perceive humans as larger, less agile members of their social group, treating them similarly to other cats due to their instinctive social behaviors and limited understanding of species differences.
Why do cats consider people to be cats? - in detail
Cats perceive humans as fellow felines due to their social and cognitive framework, which is shaped by their evolutionary history and domestication. Unlike dogs, which have evolved to recognize humans as a distinct species, cats retain a more independent and solitary nature. When interacting with humans, cats apply the same social behaviors they use with other cats, such as grooming, rubbing, and vocalizing. This behavior suggests that cats categorize humans within their own social structure rather than as a separate species. Cats rely heavily on scent and body language to communicate, and since humans engage in similar tactile interactions—like petting, which mimics grooming—cats interpret these actions as feline-like behavior. Additionally, cats often treat humans as they would treat a dominant or maternal figure in their social hierarchy, further reinforcing the idea that they see humans as larger, less agile cats. This perception is also influenced by the fact that cats do not have the same evolutionary pressure to differentiate between species as more pack-oriented animals. Their domestication, which occurred relatively recently compared to dogs, has not significantly altered their fundamental social cognition. Thus, cats’ behavior toward humans is a reflection of their innate social instincts, leading them to treat people as part of their feline world.