What does my cat think I am?

WCityMike — Thu, 19 Apr 2007 14:57:52 -0800

What does my cat think I am? In other words, in his brain, what has he classified me as? I've had my cat, Charlie, since he was 10 weeks old. I'm curious as to how he classifies and labels me in his mind, although I do understand that of course he doesn't think in words.

For example, does he understand that I am a species distinct from himself, or does he see me as a giant, furless cat?

Does he see me as he would his father, mother, or a littermate — a familial relation? (I presume not his father, since I don't think cat fathers stick around.) Or does he see me as a non-family person who lives in the same domicile he does?

I of course understand that cat thought is not as fully sentient as human thought, but obviously, there's more than a small degree of intelligence in their brains.

I'm just curious as to whether there's any scientific thought or studies that have figured out how they label us internally in those little kitty brains.

Any other studies or information about how cats frame their world would be interesting as well, although I'm primarily interested in this question.

And ... this question's a great setup for humorous responses, but serious answers only, please. :)

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What does my cat think I am?