I’ve run across the misconception about cats that says they love their home more than their people. I don’t know if this is a twisted way of understanding the cat’s territorial instincts, or an excuse for people abandoning their cats when they move. Still, there’s the old English saying: Dogs remember faces, cats, places, to show that this myth has a long history.
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I’m sure one of the contributors to this thinking is how cats do exhibit a homing instinct. When we move, we need to keep our cats inside for at least three weeks, to reset this instinct.
Cats can’t help their instincts. So when people move, and let the cat out right after, the cat’s instincts urge them to return… to where they were. It’s not that they want to; it’s that they often can’t make their way home any other way. When cats are kept in long enough to reset their “home base,” they come back to the new home. Because they want to.
Cats are homebodies. Unlike dogs, who hunt in packs, cats hunt by themselves, and gain an advantage by knowing every nook and cranny in their hunting territory. Drawing security from known areas lets them lower their caution and relax.
Yes, cats are devoted to their homes. But this is a function of their autonomy and intelligence. Cats feel responsible for themselves, and need familiarity with their surroundings to be able to anticipate and participate, the way they like it.
The most important part of their homes is… us.
I’ve moved three times with Mr. Bond. Each time, he was more than happy to note the new litter box location, find some places to hide, and make sure I came home each night.
He wouldn’t think it was home without me. And I feel the same way.
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There’s more ways to understand our cat with The Way of Cats than the article you are reading now. See all of my posts on WHY CATS DO THAT.
You know, it’s amazing to me that people will say such silly things. I’m a cat person, I always have been. So I know the reality of cats in a way that people don’t have them never will. I get that. But to assert that cats don’t feel affection — which is a common thing to hear, that cats are cold and hateful — or that they only show affection for us for selfish reasons (body heat, food, whatever), that’s just stupid.
Going from what I have personally seen with my own eyes, I would tell you that my friends’ dogs are incredibly dumb and pushy animals, and only love them for food. I would tell you that no sane person would ever own a bird of any kind, because they hate all human life and are all too happy to use their prettiness to lure hapless human fingers within reach. I would tell you that horses are stupid and contrary and not to be trusted.
But I know, because I know people who own those animals, and because I have now spent time around those animals, that none of that is true. Dogs are wonderful, sweet, faithful companions, far smarter than they act when they are hungry. Birds are incredibly smart critters, and the smarter ones do have senses of humor that border on the fey, but they feel real affection, too. Horses are staggeringly loyal animals who try their best to please people because it’s what has been bred into them for generations, and which have done remarkably well adjusting to life with humans considering how very different from us they are.
We don’t see an animal’s best qualities when we rely on how they treat people they don’t know. We just don’t. Cats more than most, because they are such private creatures.
That’s so true, Naamah. It’s a form of fundamental mistrust to think other people’s feelings are so unreliable. And it’s always a big empathetic step to connect with animals, who are so different from us.
That’s why I find it so amazing when we can find that animals have a sense of humor and feel love. It certainly expands our pool of potential friends!
I totally agree with you about the cat loves its people as much as its home. I moved I think 5 cats that were all older cats, some of which lived outside, and I shut them up for a week so they would have a place where they would feel safe. I was a nervous wreck but it worked perfect. They all stayed and were very happy. And they were always really glad to see me.
I should preface this by saying I`m not a cat guy. In June after a huge thunderstorm, I was leaving my office and heard this shrieking sound that I would never have guessed was a cat. I t was beneath a car and I went over to have a look. A filthy (and In do mean filthy) little white head with big blue eyes looked out from under his hide. He adopted me on the spot,which meant I had to put him in my 68 Ferrari and get a pet carrier , food and trip to the Vet. After Shots and extensive flea treatments for both cat and car, He was back a week later for declawing and fixing. Its now late October and this cat follows me around like a dog. He waits at the window for me to come home and whines as get ready for work. There is no feeding ritual and Food and water is always out. I suppose what I`m saying is, it ain`t the food. At Home he never leaves my side. He goes where I go and sleeps where I do. He thinks the shower is crazy and is very concerned for my well being in such a wet place. Right about now he is six months old and a vandal. Curtains and stained glass are toys to him. I now have a third child, and he has made me happy in ways that so many people can`t. His name is Muffin Pie Liebowitz, and he is the best thing to come into my life in a long time. Turns out he is a Turkish Angora too. Vacation time soon, hope he likes to fly.
What a lovely story, Steve. I love the way he gets concerned about the shower!
I agree Steve, that’s really cute. My cat’s do that too actually!
Luna comes around every single time I have a bath, and Harold too. If you try and put luna in the bath even without water in there she gets very scared!
.-= Jenna Jaguar´s last blog ..I found a pic-tar. =-.