Does Your Pet Love You???
By pyewacket
@pyewacket (43903)
United States
February 15, 2008 8:00pm CST
I got this delightful email from the CrazyCat Newsletter I subscribe to. It's mainly about cats, but can really apply to dogs or any pet really for that fact..Here's the email I got
(quote)
..." I've gotten several emails asking if I thought cats could really love us. What do you think? Do you think cats are capable of love?
I believe cats are capable of love and I'll tell you why.
First, let's look at the word love. In the English language, we have just one word to describe the different types of love. The ancient Greeks were a bit smarter in this respect; they used different words to describe the love for a spouse, a sibling, a parent or a friend. You have to wonder which word they used to describe the love between pets and people.
Is it the same as the way we love family or something different? Maybe it's something more than loving family to some people and very different for others. Love is such a hard thing to define. How do you love your cat and how would you define it? And then how do cats love us? Maybe that is something entirely different all together. Has it all got your head spinning yet?
So the real question is... do our pets really "love" us, as we understand it?
My opinion is yes! To support my opinion, we asked Dr. Nicholas Dodman, a well-known behaviorist and professor at Tufts University College of Veterinary Medicine, the same question. Dr. Dodman says... in response to Do our pets really love us? says...
"In a word, the answer is yes, according to clinical evidence. Food does play a large role in feelings of affection between pet and owner. But cats do not live by treat and food alone - and neither does a cat's affection depend solely on treats. The mere presence and/or touch of a preferred person have been shown to reduce the heart rate of these animals - a sign of bonding.
Cats are said to be independent, aloof, and not in need of company except on their terms. This is true only of some cats; certainly not all. Cats raised by people from an early age either think they are almost human, or that the human is almost a cat.
In fact, throughout a cat-person bond, the two may switch roles without realizing it. On occasion, a cat will bring home a dead or half-dead animal as a token of her love and respect (a touching, if gruesome, method of confirming the bond).
Bringing home "love offerings" of this type is a sign of attachment and belonging. There are others that require less clean up. When the bond is strong, a cat will:
* Tend to follow you around. She may not follow immediately, but after a moment or two she might casually saunter into the room where you're sitting (as if she's trying to play the whole thing down). Your cat may jump in your lap or may just find a chair nearby. Either way, she prefers to spend time with you.
* Become slightly depressed when you leave, and greet you enthusiastically upon your return. She may learn to recognize the sound of your car pulling up and run to the door, expecting your presence.
* Send subtle cat signals of affection to you throughout the day. These often take the form of classic "cat kisses" - staring at you adoringly, then squinting or slowly closing her eyes.
* Send not-so-subtle signals, such as rubbing her head upon you (marking you with her scent), and of course, purring.
* Lying on her back, with her stomach exposed. This is a sign of trust, because your cat is now in a vulnerable position. Many owners mistakenly think this is a request for a belly rub. It usually isn't.
This is a cat's affection at its most intense. They can't hold your hand, and they are not given to jumping up and kissing you. There's no difficulty to describe this sort of relationship as love...."
So what do you think? As pet owners there's no doubt that WE love them...but do you think your pet, loves you? Have any specific signs that they show love toward you? I know my two kitties love me..hehe...they never bothered much with my mother when she was alive as she never really demonstrated affection to them..with me it was another story...they would only sleep with me (of course making me sleep like a pretzel) and not her
9 people like this
28 responses
@avonrep1 (1862)
• United States
17 Feb 08
Tabby is a year and a half old and yes she is a tiger stripped type of cat. I think she understand English also. She likes to play fetch and we ask her if she wants to play fetch and she will bring us one of her many paper balls that she has hidden and likes to chase after. She is a cool cat, I have a picture of her in my profile.
2 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
17 Feb 08
Aww..just saw your picture of Tabby..I have two cats Pyewacket a black cat and Kissy..also a tiger-striped.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
17 Feb 08
How old is Tabby? I take it she's a tiger-striped kitty?
1 person likes this
@ElicBxn (63243)
• United States
16 Feb 08
I know most of the cats love me. Some love me lots more than the roommate, some love her more. Some love us both, but it seems like more of them like to sleep with me. Either because they don't like her dog, or they like me better we may never know.
I know Taj & Scamp love me better. I know that Solo likes me better, I don't think he's ever slept with the roomie. I know Nino loves her better. I know Serena loves me a whole lot more than I love her.
Nobody much loves Roxie, but she's barely done anything to prompt loving her. Even when she's demanding pets & loving, she'll fart in your face.... Yes, she's been to the vet.
3 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
16 Feb 08
OMG---Roxie farts in your face??...how ungrateful..LOL
With my two it's a competition. Kissy is a lot more timid than my Pyewacket...if Kissy is paying attention to me, and I her, who has to come charging in and nearly knock her over to get HIS attention...Pyewacket of course
1 person likes this
@ElicBxn (63243)
• United States
16 Feb 08
Nobody will horn in IF they don't want attention in the first place. Ping and Pong will pretty much come up for attention anytime, but they won't but Scamp out, he's slapped them too often so they respect him. Not Oliver, if he wants attention, Scamp can slap him all day & all it'll do is make him turn around and slap back! He'll barge right up to be infront of Scamp and Scamp will hiss and back off.
2 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
16 Feb 08
Pyewacket doesn't even like it when I talk on the phone...he has to come racing over as if to say, "How dare you don't talk to me and talk to someone else"...LOL One of these days I swear he'll disconnect me on the phone while I'm talking to someone
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157642)
• United States
16 Feb 08
I am pretty certain that my cats love me, in their way. With the two blond ones, it is obvious. They come sit in my lap, and get in my face. One even seems to hug us. The black cat acts very aloof, most of the time. She will take a notion to be petted and she will reach out and grab with her paws and nip me as I go past. All three of them will meet me at the driveway. The love to jump up on top of the car, or come right in when I park.They probably eat all night, but they wait until I go to the kitchen, then they all go eat.I can tell they like my companionship.
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
17 Feb 08
Mmm..maybe there's something about black cats. My Pyewacket is very affectionate with me, but on HIS terms, for instance he loves to cuddle and get his attention while I'm laying in bed before I go to sleep reading. But then when at other times of the day or night if I go over to give him kisses, he puts up with it so much, then hisses at me...think it's a black cat thing?? LOL
1 person likes this
@Riptide (2758)
• United States
16 Feb 08
Yes,my cat definetely loves me and hubby. He does all those things described. He knows the sound of his car,he follows him around and he loves to sleep on top of the couch right behind where I sit and when I get up take my spot lol.
He follows us to the bedroom when we go to bed and he loves to headbutt us lol.
He can be a loveable little guy,well if you can call 15 pounds of orange tabby little lol. But if he gets in his moods he can do some damage LOL.
He's my baby though and I love him :)
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
16 Feb 08
Oh yes..those delightful headbutts...don't ask how many times I might have my cup of coffee or a drink in my hand and suddenly my one cat especially, Kissy, has to do her head butting thing and nearly knocks the cup or glass out of my hand...Hehee..Oh, and then there's when I'm settled in bed and Pyewacket decides I should pay attention to him rather then let me read my book, so he sits on top of it so I can't read...He's not a heavy cat either...certainly not 15 pounds, but yeesh, he sure feels heavy especially when he decides to rest on my chest...knocks my breathe out...LOL Ah, but I'm not complaining..I sure miss it and their signs of affection for me if I didn't have it.
2 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
17 Feb 08
Aww...that's sweet of Ashley missing you like that...I used to have a kitty named Ashley too and he was a love bug
1 person likes this
@myfanwy65 (1030)
• United States
16 Feb 08
I have 3 cats and they all do these things. I think they love me very much. We're a family. Me, my boyfriend, and our 3 cats. We are so attached to our cats that when 2 of them had kittens, it was like giving away our own grandchildren.
3 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
16 Feb 08
I know what you mean..I had to give up cats too...uh, a "slight" problem my mother created..long story, but I felt bad too giving them up
2 people like this
@gabs8513 (48686)
• United Kingdom
18 Feb 08
I say it is all true and also I know that my Gissi loves me and my previous Dogs have loved me and so do our Cats
Gissi shows his Love and trust in many different ways
But in his ways it does include little Kisses lol missing me when I am not around, happy when I return and lots of other ways
Anyone who loves their Pets will see the signs of the Pets Love as they are so obvious
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
19 Feb 08
How is he doing now with his paw?? He may not have been thrilled going to the vet, but I think animals can even sense when we really are trying to help them when they are in pain
1 person likes this
@polachicago (18716)
• United States
17 Feb 08
People are always looking for proof of love. Love is essential part of nature and I can say that any animal that is tamed can love us....
My cat? Hmmm, she is always in the spot to be able to see me, she is making her eye cute small when I call her name, she is sitting under cover and tide to my body as close as possible at night....
She is running to me with speed of light when I call her, she is wondering what I am doing and she is assisting me 24/7 if she can....
I have to hold her every morning for about 5 minutes as a good morning ritual....before she gets food, or she wouldn't eat.
Can I call it love? yes I can...
(try to make any man look at me like she is looking, he, he)
@polachicago (18716)
• United States
17 Feb 08
My dogs do, but they let cat alone...she is the house princess...
I try to give special affection to all at different time of the day.
They all have my attention and love. I love them they way they want to be loved. My dogs have different personality and different need....
We have cute moments everyday...
2 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
17 Feb 08
Okay would just love to know..hehe...who do you love more..your cat or your dogs?...and do either ever get jealous with the attention you give them...in other words, is there a competition thing going, cause I sure know my two cats battle for my attention and affection
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
17 Feb 08
Hehe..just saw your picture of your two dogs...with all that snoring do you ever need earplugs? :)
1 person likes this
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
16 Feb 08
yup I beleive our pets love us.
One of our chows even trys to shove me out the door so we can play and he rubs up against me and does a low growling sound that is talking to me .
He scares my son in law when he does that he think dog is going to attack him lol
2 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
18 Feb 08
LOL...my Pyewacket doesn't like to be boss either..He IS THE BOSS..
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
17 Feb 08
Can't help thinking that your one chow's growling is almost the equivalent of a cat purring...do you think??
1 person likes this
@TerryZ (22076)
• United States
18 Feb 08
Hi cyber sister! Well if you didnt know this I love Maggie and Molly to pieces!LOL I really enjoyed this discussion I read everyones responses to you. Your so right they do know when they are loved by us. Molly sleeps with us but she wont let Maggie on the bed. They get jealous of each other.LOL But when we first moved in this house they would both sleep with us. Because they werent sure about this house it was a big shock to them. Now we are back to just Molly taking over the bed.heheheheh
2 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
19 Feb 08
Your Molly and Maggie sound like my Pyewacket and Kissy...they are SO competitive for my attention but especially Pyewacket...if I talk to Kissy, no matter where he is, even sound asleep all of a sudden he'll wake up and race over to me, nearly knocking Kissy over for my attention. The two do sleep on my bed with me but not next to each other...Kissy will sleep at the foot of my bed while his royal highness has the honors of being right next to me,...hehe
1 person likes this
@BarBaraPrz (45544)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
16 Feb 08
Yes, I know Harmony loves me. As I've mentioned before, she came to live here of her own accord. She was living at my friend's house just down the street but not really showing affection to either my friend or her daughter. Then the daughter brought in another cat which really did not sit well with Harmony. Pizzed her off so much she started pizzing on the carpet. My friend threatened to take her to the pound. I said I would take her if it came to that. Harmony heard me and came over the next day. When I say she came over, she really did come over of her own accord. My friend did not deliver her. I opened the door and there she was, saying, ok, I'm yours. Now let me in.
My friend is still amazed at how lovey Harmony is with me.
@BarBaraPrz (45544)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
17 Feb 08
Oh, they understand us all right. Whether they choose to do anything about it is another matter.
2 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
17 Feb 08
Wow..and they say animals don't understand us when we talk. And just love how Harmony invited herself to live with you :)
2 people like this
@scarlet_woman (23465)
• United States
19 Feb 08
oh i have no doubt they do.
the worst of the three right now has got to be my black cat though.follows me everywhere (including attempting to save mommy from the rain closet LOL)
if i go out for even 5 minutes,he's wailing,even if other people are there and more than willing to console him.
he has been keeping vigil on the bed since i had my surgery,and if anyone comes in,they must riddle the sphinx :)
@scarlet_woman (23465)
• United States
21 Feb 08
it is :)
he's a big love bug,he really is.
black cats are evil.feh!
nobody told him LOL
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
22 Feb 08
Now, now....black cats were considered the most sacred of all in Egypt..uh, but lets not tell our black kitties that...they might get a swelled head and my Pyewacket is already a spoiled brat..heehhee
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
21 Feb 08
AWW-How sweet that he's been keeping vigil on the bed...he wants to make sure his mom is okay..LOL
1 person likes this
@gmakesmoney (2923)
• United States
18 Feb 08
Awww... that's super sweet! I love my cat more than I've loved anyone (as past boyfriends have shouted in anger, lol) aside from my mother. I believe that she does love us right back, she's very close to us and knows our schedules quite well. If one of us is more than 2-3 minutes late coming home, she gets worried and makes sure the other person knows it. It's so cute the way she's learned behaviors from us and in turn acts the same way with us. Granted she does have her own little moments of anger issues but for the most part she's really loving towards us.
Thanks for sharing!
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
19 Feb 08
I think I have loved my cats more than any person I've known, especially family members..and I think my cats I've had then and now sensed it as they never bothered much with either my grandmother or mother when they were alive--especially my mother..to her, the cats were just part of the furniture unfortunately....cats (and all animals) can sense when you genuinely love them too
1 person likes this
@gmakesmoney (2923)
• United States
19 Feb 08
I think you're right, they really can sense when they're loved. And when to take advantage of it, lol j/k. Like the "aww but u love me face" when they've been naughty and know it. I respect animals, they deserve love more than most people and show it a whole lot more too.
2 people like this
@joyceshookery (2057)
• United States
16 Feb 08
Even though I've heard that cats do not love -- they're only playing the game for food, I know Cleo loves me. She has bonded with me -- I'm her pack.
She follows me around, rubs herself against my leg, purrs constantly, and when I sit in the recliner it doesn't matter where she is in the house -- she hears the recliner and comes there almost immediately, ready to lie down on my legs.
She loves me, I love her. We're a team :)
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
17 Feb 08
Aww..that's so sweet. I sometimes think our pets are more capable of love than people are at times, don't you?
1 person likes this
@joyceshookery (2057)
• United States
17 Feb 08
Other than the condition that they be fed, their love is very unconditional.
I've enjoyed reading the posts of others lives with their pets.
2 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
17 Feb 08
I'm enjoying reading the posts of others too.. :)
1 person likes this
@GnosticGoddess (5626)
• United States
17 Feb 08
My cats shows all those signs to both me and my hubby.
I do believe our cats love us very much.
Our oldest cat acts as a guard cat - and he pretty much dislikes any other human except us.
Our youngest is different but he's always had people treat him great since birth. We got him from my mother-in-laws cat's litter. Our older cat we got from the pound when he was between 5 and 6 months old. And I think that time before we got him has left it's imprint into his memory. But he knows we love him and he's got it damn good here LOL.
2 people like this
@GnosticGoddess (5626)
• United States
17 Feb 08
I didn't even touch on our dog LOL.
You got me thinking about the kitties.
I do think the dog loves us too because of how she acts when either of us come close to her :)
2 people like this
@irisheyes (4370)
• United States
17 Feb 08
I know Humphrey loves me as much as I love him. Interesting what the doctor said about food, I'm not the one who feeds my cat in the morning BUT he stays in bed with me even when he knows the food is being put out. He will not go down stairs until I do. Of course, once he does go down, he goes right for the food. But there are two other cats in the house and they both get a head start on breakfast cause Humphrey waits for me.
Also, my cat seems to sense when I'm on the way home before I get there. I've been told he comes to the living room and sits on the window sill a little before I get home even if I come home at different times. He's amazing.
2 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
18 Feb 08
When my mom was still alive and we still had a lot more cats than I do now, she said up to a half hour before I came home, the cats would sit in front of the door waiting for me...they never did that with her
2 people like this
@p3halliwel2005 (3156)
• Philippines
16 Feb 08
I have a black cat his name is shadow and I do believe that pets are capable of love. I can feel my cat loves us because he never leaves the house when he is freely to do so. We treat him as a family and he treats us like his. He sleeps with us and eats with us. Often times he sits with us while watching tv. There are times when I am eating and he lies down on top of my feet..he also does the rubbing on our legs and he likes being pet. He has so much affection that I know he loves us just the same for treating him well.
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
17 Feb 08
Guess you're not superstitious about black cats either...LOL. My black cat, Pyewacket most definitely loves the attention I give him and reciprocates by being very affectionate with me. And yes, every single cat I've ever had is a family member, one of my kids. ;)
1 person likes this
@LittleMel (8742)
• Canada
17 Feb 08
of course she does and she shows it by keep following me around, after I feed her or clean her litter. so she follows me around not because she wants me to do something for her, but because she wants to play or be with me. she also sleeps on our lap but wherever she sleeps, she lies on her back. she knows I will never hurt her by stepping on her belly or kick it, so she always does it.
if we spend too much time doing our own thing outside the house or in a room where she's not allowed inside, when we come back she will follow us and keep meowing as if she was saying where have you been I miss you. she is a chatty cat, and we always 'chat' her back
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
17 Feb 08
It's funny, my one cat Kissy, definitely lets me know if I'm spending too much in front of the computer and she wants attention by jumping up on my desk and wedges herself between me and the monitor, so of course I have to stop everything and talk to her. When she's had enough attention she then jumps down, quite happy
1 person likes this
@catjane (1036)
• United States
16 Feb 08
My dog adores me. I am "alpha" she lives and breahes for me. What more can I say. I am her world! She follws me everywhere I go and looks at me with those adoring eyes. Of course, she loves hubby too, but if she had a choice, it would be me. I do everything for her. I even cook her meals!
2 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
17 Feb 08
LOL---mmm..just wondering, do you cook more meals for your dog than your hubby? Hehe
1 person likes this
@gem4678 (220)
• United States
16 Feb 08
Who really knows for sure what love is on any level really. I think its a very hard thing to explain, but yes I think our pets love us maybe not always the way we look at it or in the way we love them but I think they do. Its just that especially cats sometimes have a much easier time getting over it and moving on to loving a new owner if it happens. This doesn't mean they didn't love you just that they can adapt well with change.
2 people like this
