Do Our Cats Really feel Happiness? How Do They Present It?

Analysis reveals that cats have methods of feelings that set off sure emotional and behavioral responses.¹ Whereas cats and people don’t expertise the identical vary and depth of feelings, happiness is an emotion that cats really feel.

Cats could not specific their emotions as people do, so it’s vital to establish cues that point out particular feelings. Studying how cats present happiness can strengthen the bond between you and your cat and make your life collectively much more satisfying.

Indicators of Happiness in Cats

How happiness is expressed varies from cat to cat, and cats may additionally present totally different indicators of happiness relying on the state of affairs they’re in.

Purring

A typical signal of happiness and contentment is purring. Though there are some circumstances the place cats can purr out of concern or as a consequence of an harm, cats largely purr as a result of they really feel content material. So, if you happen to see that your cat is lounging or in one other relaxed place and is purring, it’s an indication that it’s feeling very blissful.

Sluggish Blinking

Glad cats can even blink slowly to point that they really feel contentment and affection towards you. In case your cat is in a relaxed place, makes direct eye contact with you, and blinks slowly, take it as a praise. Your cat feels blissful and can be letting you recognize that it likes you.

Conversations

Some vocal cats may additionally interact in “conversations” with their house owners once they really feel blissful. In case your cat is meowing and you, it’s a very good signal that it desires to interact with you. Some cats appear to get pleasure from it when their house owners speak again to them calmly, and so they’ll meow again some responses.

Kneading

One other signal of happiness is when a cat begins to knead with its entrance paws. This habits is also known as “making biscuits” as a result of the motion seems like a cat is kneading dough. It’s unclear as to precisely why cats begin to knead once they really feel blissful. Some specialists imagine it’s as a result of the motion is related to how kittens will knead on their mom.

Playfulness

In case your cat is feeling content material and comfy round you, it could begin to interact with you extra. Your cat can begin approaching you and rubbing its face on you. A mild headbutt can even point out affection.

Simply keep in mind that your cat could begin to trouble you and wish to play out of boredom. So, ensure that it’s getting loads of train and stimulation all through the day. When you’ve got these bases coated and your cat nonetheless desires to play with you, it may be as a result of it likes you and simply desires to spend a while with you.

Observe How Your Cat Expresses Happiness

In my expertise with cats, I’ve seen that my cats have expressed happiness in their very own distinctive methods. I’ve had a cat that was very vocal when she felt blissful and excited and would usually meow again if I stated one thing to her. She was additionally very shy but playful. So, if she needed to play, it was a transparent signal that she needed to spend time with me and have some enjoyable.

One other cat confirmed happiness simply by being in the identical room. He’d normally be lounging close by, however he didn’t favor getting pets. I knew he was particularly blissful at any time when he made an look and began kneading on a rug or blanket.

I’ve additionally gotten a couple of gradual blinks, however they’re rarer behaviors that I see in my cats. Generally, I’ll blink at them slowly once I discover that they’re relaxed and lounging close by. Sometimes, they’ll reply again with a gradual blink, and it feels so rewarding.

How To Promote Happiness in Cats

When you can’t power cats to really feel a sure approach, you are able to do some issues to assist them really feel protected and content material. These are some issues which have helped me create a cheerful residence for my cats.

Set up a Constant Routine

As creatures of behavior, cats thrive off routines. Realizing what to anticipate may also help them really feel protected, and plenty of will favor and admire predictability.

When you don’t need to have a routine with strict time blocks, you can begin partaking in actions in the identical sequence. For instance, my morning routine roughly seems the identical, even when I could get up at various occasions. After I get up, I begin making my morning cup of espresso. Then, I’ll begin making breakfast and getting ready my cat’s first meal. I’ll prepare for work whereas my cat eats. Earlier than I begin working, I’ll give her a deal with shelling out toy to play with in order that she will get some train within the morning.

After my cat received used to this routine, I might see her anticipating each exercise. She’ll be ready by her meals station whereas I’m making breakfast, and he or she’ll additionally have a look at me expectantly when she is aware of I’m about to work as a result of she is aware of I’ll give her a deal with toy.

After establishing a constant routine, I’ve seen my cat feeling extra relaxed and fewer prone to interrupt me at any time when I’m working. She is aware of that I’ll ultimately take a lunch break and play a bit extra together with her earlier than going again to work.

Create Vertical Areas

Cats love cozy hiding spots and climbing as much as protected areas the place they will perch and observe. Many cats will get pleasure from having a tall cat tree they will climb. Nevertheless, you don’t have to put in a number of cat bushes to create vertical areas in your house.

I’ve cleared out areas in dice cabinets and laid out mats on them in order that my cat can sleep in them. I even have some lounging areas positioned close to areas that I most frequent in the home. There’s a file cupboard close to my work desk, and I’ve positioned a cat mattress on high in order that my cat can relaxation close by whereas I work.

Present Enjoyable Playtime

Completely different cats have their very own play kinds, and discovering out their preferences can enhance their happiness immensely. I’ve had a cat that most popular taking part in alone and was completely content material taking part in with a deal with shelling out toy by himself. One other cat cherished taking part in with cat wands and was happiest when she was chasing feathers connected to a string.

Treats

Many cats are food-motivated and might’t resist sure treats. Attending to know your cat’s favourite flavors and giving them occasional treats is an effective way to spice up its temper.

You may as well add a bit extra happiness right into a cat’s life with catnip and catnip toys. The scent of catnip can set off the “blissful” receptors in a cat’s mind. Nevertheless, not all cats react to catnip. I’ve had one cat who couldn’t care much less about catnip, however I had extra luck with silvervine. Silvervine is a totally totally different plant that additionally occurs to have comparable results as catnip. Cats that don’t react to catnip could react to silver vine as an alternative.

Conclusion

Cats can specific happiness in numerous methods. Studying about cat habits and being observant may also help you identify how your cat expresses happiness and what makes it really feel happiest. I’ll be the primary to say that cats may be very emotionally expressive. It could take a while to know how your cat reveals happiness and affection. Nevertheless, when you do, it’ll solely strengthen your bond and enhance the appreciation you may have for one another.

Featured Picture Credit score: Boyloso, Shutterstock

In regards to the writer

Cat mother to Ivy – a feisty little rescue kitten that’s her one and solely youngster. For now! All through her life, she has been launched to the particular love that may be discovered within the bond with a cat. Having owned a number of felines, she is greater than sure that their love is unmatched, unconditional and in contrast to every other. With a ardour to teach the general public about every little thing, there may be to learn about felines, their habits, and their distinctive personalities, Crystal is devoted to creating positive that every one cats and their house owners know the significance of aware dwelling – and loving!