Cats make wonderful pets for many people. Their playful yet independent nature makes them easier to care for than dogs for some owners. Many cat owners adopt their feline friends from animal shelters and rescue organizations. This leads new cat parents to wonder, does my cat know I rescued him?
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: While cats may not comprehend the full meaning of being rescued, they can form strong bonds and show gratitude to their owners through affection and loyalty.
Cats Recognize And Bond With Their Owners
Cats recognize owners by voice, sight, and smell
Cats form strong bonds with their owners through familiarity developed over time. A cat’s ability to recognize its owner comes from identifying the owner’s unique visual, auditory, and olfactory cues. Just like humans can recognize their loved ones by sight or sound, cats too can identify their owners by seeing them or hearing their voice.
Cats have an acute sense of smell and can detect their owner’s distinct scent. A 2017 study showed cats could recognize their owner’s voice but not a stranger’s voice.
When a cat hears its owner, sight and smell confirms the identity. Cats also recognize their owners by visual cues like face, body language, and mannerisms. A slow blink of affection from a cat signals they know you well.
Cats have better night vision than humans due to a reflective layer in their eyes. So cats can see their owners clearly in dim light when humans struggle. With their sharp eyesight, cats can spot their owners from a distance.
Cats bond closely with owners through daily care and playtime
Cats form strong attachments and bond deeply with their owners who care for them daily. When owners provide food, water, shelter, affection, veterinary care, and a clean litter box, cats develop trust and loyalty.
The time owners spend actively playing with cat toys like wands, balls, and laser pointers forms a close friendship. Cats look forward to this fun interaction. The more attention owners provide, the greater the bond.
Cats are intelligent creatures that understand cause and effect. They know owners control resources like tasty food, entertaining toys, and access to comfortable beds or sunny windows. A 2017 Swedish study found cats bond strongly with owners who play with and speak to them often.
Providing a safe, enriched home and positively interacting with cats encourages bonding and contentment. In return for an owner’s care, cats show affection like kneading, head-butts, purring, and sharing toys.
While some cats are more aloof than dogs, they bond deeply to owners who respect them and provide excellent care. According to ASPCA studies, 64% of cats in the U.S. sleep on their owner’s bed at night. This shows a high level of trust and attachment.
Cats able to roam outdoors may leave for hours but usually return to a familiar home and their beloved owners.
Cats Display Affection And Attachment Behaviors
Purring, kneading, head-butting are signs of cat affection
Cats show affection in some very endearing ways that owners love. One of the most noticeable signs is purring. That sweet, rhythmic rumbling sound means kitty is content. Along with nudging your hand to be petted or hopping on your lap when you sit down, purring is a way for cats to bond with their favorite humans.
Kneading or making “biscuits” is another affectionate gesture where cats press their paws rhythmically on soft surfaces or their owners as if they were nursing kittens. Your cat is relaxed and happy when kneading you. Head-butting and cheek rubbing are also displays of kitty affection.
When cats bump their heads on you or rub their cheeks on your hand or ankle, they are marking you with their scent and showing that you belong to them.
Following owners, meowing for attention indicate cat attachment
There are several behaviors that demonstrate a cat’s strong attachment to their owner or family. One is following their human around, even into rooms they don’t usually spend time in. Your cat wants to be near you. Another sign of attachment is meowing persistently for attention.
Some cats will meow loudly when their owner arrives home or wakes up in the morning. They are saying “I missed you, pet me now!” Cats also show they care about their owners by being highly sensitive to their moods and health.
Cats have been known to detect human illnesses and emotional upsets, often becoming more clingy and caring when their human is not feeling well. Some cats will even “groom” their owners by licking their hair or gently biting their hand.
So while cats are independent at times, they build strong bonds and show love for their families in subtle, sweet ways.
According to a 2022 ASPCA study, 65% of cat owners say their cats reduce their stress levels and help them cope with anxiety or sadness. An estimated 86.3 million US households have a pet cat. So those purrs, head-butts and lap cuddles are making a huge difference for millions of cat parents.
There’s no doubt our feline friends know who cares for them. Cats show their affection and attachment every day in their unique, wonderful way.
Rescued Cats Adjust To New Homes And Routines
Bringing a previously abandoned or mistreated cat into a new, loving home is extremely rewarding. However, these clever kitties need time to settle into new surroundings and feel secure before their true personalities emerge.
Having patience, providing stability through set feeding times and play, and bonding gently with them lays the foundation.
It takes time for rescued cats to settle into a new environment
For cats who have experienced previous hardships, a new home with new people can be overwhelming at first. It may take a few weeks or even months for them to relax and begin exhibiting normal cat behavior like playing, purring, or sitting in laps. Every feline adjusts at their own pace.
Some initially hide for long periods while cautiously examining their new territory. It’s important not to force interaction, but allow them to emerge slowly as they gain confidence in their safety and become accustomed to new sights, smells, and sounds.
Cats feel more secure through regular feeding, play, and bonding time
Establishing a consistent daily routine helps previously abandoned or abused cats settle in faster. Feeding them nutritious meals at the same times every day and having designated play sessions builds trust and familiarity.
Spending quiet time near them while reading or watching TV allows curious kitties to initiate contact if they wish. Some may start playing or snuggling right away. Others might take weeks before approaching.
But bonding through calm, positive interactions proves to rescued cats that they are now in a stable, loving home.
Cats May Not Grasp The Concept Of Being Rescued
When a caring human adopts a cat from a shelter or rescue organization, it can feel to us like we are “rescuing” the cat from a difficult situation. However, cats likely do not understand the concept of being “rescued” in the same way humans do.
Cats have limited comprehension of abstract ideas
While cats are intelligent animals, research suggests they have a more limited ability to comprehend abstract ideas compared to humans. Their thinking tends to be oriented towards the here and now rather than larger concepts.
As a result, when adopted into a loving home from a shelter, cats will experience an immediate improvement in their lives with better food, medical care, toys, and affection. However, they probably do not realize they have been “rescued” in the larger sense.
For example, a study in Applied Animal Behaviour Science tested cats’ ability to understand pointing gestures, which requires grasping the idea that the pointer is trying to indicate something. While dogs performed well on this test, cats did not, suggesting more restricted abstract thinking.
So while cats definitely feel the positive effects of being adopted, they likely do not ponder the notion of being “saved” from their previous circumstances.[1]
But rescued cats still benefit from loving homes
Even if cats do not comprehend the full scope of being “rescued,” they still form strong bonds with their new families and thrive in caring homes. For instance, a study published in Current Biology found that cats become attached to their owners in a manner similar to dogs and human infants.
The researchers found cats show signs of “secure attachment” to their owners such as greeting them when they return home and wanting to be near them.[2]
Rescued cats are also extremely loving pets. One survey by pet food maker Purina found that nearly 80% of adopted cats snuggle up to their owners at night. And research shows that just like other pets, adopted cats can provide valuable companionship and reduce stress and loneliness for their owners.[3],[4]
So while cats may not grasp the notion of being “rescued,” they still form deep connections with their adoptive families. By welcoming a shelter cat into our homes, we provide them with comfort, safety, and love—even if cats don’t fully understand the meaning of it all.
The positive impact on their lives is undeniable.
Conclusion
While cats may not fully understand the meaning of being rescued, they can absolutely form close bonds with their new owners and family. By providing food, shelter, play, and affection, cat owners let their rescued pets know they are safe and cared for.
And cats express their contentment through happy purrs, nuzzles, and loyal companionship.
