If there is one thing that I’ve spent a lot of time pondering over the years, it’s “What do cats think about all day?”
If you’re a cat parent, I’m sure you’ve thought the same.
It’s hard not to consider it. We share our lives and homes with our cats, so naturally, we’re interested in what they think about and how happy they are.
Here’s what I’ve been able to find out, hopefully, it helps you better understand your cat and what they’re possibly thinking about most days:
What Do Cats Think About All Day?
The first thing to consider when wondering what cats think about is whether or not they’re conscious and if they have conscious thoughts.
In my experience, this is a topic that divides people. Some find it hard to believe that animals have conscious thoughts based on how they behave.
While others have no doubt that cats and other animals do have conscious thoughts and this explains why cats choose to do things they enjoy.
From a scientific perspective, the Cambridge Declaration on Consciousness published a paper in 2012 explaining that many animals – cats included – possess the neurological substrates to support conscious thought.
So, from this, we can conclude that cats do have thoughts, and they are likely thinking about things that are important to them or happening in their world.
Unfortunately, we can’t see into their minds and know exactly what they’re thinking.
It would be awesome if we could, but then it would also be incredible if we knew what anyone was thinking.
You can tell a lot by looking at your cat though. If they’re looking out of the window, they’re probably processing thoughts about what they can see.
Likewise, if they’re staring at you, they’re probably thinking about you and the feelings and actions they associate with interacting with you.
Related – More on what cats get up to at home all day.
Do Cats Get Bored?
Now you know that there isn’t just a blank nothingness going on in your cat’s head, it shouldn’t surprise you that cats can get bored.
Indoor cats, in particular, are susceptible to boredom. This is why you need cat furniture, that is, if you don’t want your cat to destroy your furniture.
As well as toys so you can interact with them and play, and of course, give them attention and fuss when they demand it.
Cats are fairly independent and solitary animals, especially when compared to dogs. But they do need mental and physical stimulation, especially when they’re young.
If you don’t interact with your cat and provide enough mental stimulation, they can suffer from stress-related health issues.
A bored cat might:
- Stop eating and drinking and suffer from stomach-related problems.
- Exhibit destructive behaviors and become aggressive.
- Stop using their litter box.
- Appear lethargic or generally act ‘off’.
- Overgroom and cause themselves harm.
- Laze around and sleep a lot more than necessary.
If you’re noticing any of these symptoms with your cat you should make an appointment with your vet to rule out any health issues.
If they confirm that it’s probably boredom, then the good news is that it’s a simple fix.
What Do Cats Think Their Owners Are?
As cat parents, we all know our cats love us – even if they don’t always show it. At least, not in the same way a dog would.
Cats are often compared to dogs as cats and dogs are two of the most popular pets, and most people are either ‘cat’, or ‘dog’ people.
I don’t think it’s fair to compare the two though. Cats and dogs are very different, as can easily be observed in their behaviors towards us.
The key difference in how dogs and cats treat or see us as their owners is that dogs behave very differently towards humans than other dogs.
While cats treat humans very similar to how they treat other cats. Obviously, they’re aware that we’re a lot bigger, feed them, and some other things.
But the way cats rub against us, groom us, lick us, and communicate with us, it’s very similar to how they communicate with other cats.
So, what do cats think their owners (us) are and how do they see us?
They see us as equals, for the most part. Cats have individual personalities, so some look down on us, cats certainly have a reputation for that.
But, if you treat your cat as an equal, you’re likely to find them treating you back the same.
If that means they climb all over you and wag their tails in your face, curl up on your lap, or nibble on your ears, that’s just their way of showing you how much they love you.
In Summary
While you’re never going to be able to get inside your cat’s head and read their thoughts, it’s reassuring to know that cats do think about stuff.
Maybe now when you observe your cat and can see what they’re looking at, you’ll have a better idea of what they’re thinking about.
…and contrary to popular belief, cats do not just think about eating and sleeping!
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Image credits – Photo by Saraleen Kng on Unsplash
