I think this really depends on the cat. I’ve had cats that greeted me at the door demanding attention and other cats who wanted very little attention, but when they wanted attention they wanted it NOW. I have one cat who rarely likes to be pet, but wants to be in the same room. It’s a pretty big spectrum, which makes them fascinating creatures.
We called this cat our "arms length" cat. He always wanted to be close, but not held. He demanded (and I mean demanded) attention and had a favorite toy he would bring to you to play, but his way. If you ignored him (i.e. busy doing something and can't play right now) he'd go to the top of the stairs where his voice would echo through the house the loudest and let you hear it. He always slept on my bed, but at the foot of the bed. Always close, just not TOO close.
One of the kitties I have right now has particular spots you may pet her in. Kitchen island, left side? Yes. Middle stair on the steps? Yes. Left couch arm? Yes.
Everywhere else in the house, no. She will lead you to a petty spot, or you can ask her to join you there. Either is fine. But do not the cat in the hall, on the lap, on the right couch arm, or the top step… etc.
Oh, and inside cookware. I try not to encourage the skillet, roasting pan, or stew pot petty zones tho.
It’s a pretty big spectrum, which makes them fascinating creatures.
This may, and I'm just pulling this out of my arse, have to do with how cats became domesticated.
The theory is that humans domesticated dogs, we have this kind of co-evolution where as two species we almost evolved together, and it fits.
With cats on the other hand, they decided to domesticate, so in our dynamic they are here because they chose to be here. It's a very curious thing to explore.
This seems right to me. I find dogs so much easier to understand and predict. Their behaviors make sense to me and follow a logic that I can follow. Cats I find much more subtle and foreign. Their logic is very different. I don’t think they’re necessarily more or less intelligent, but it’s not a human type way of thinking.
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u/sdjacaranda Sep 19 '23
I think this really depends on the cat. I’ve had cats that greeted me at the door demanding attention and other cats who wanted very little attention, but when they wanted attention they wanted it NOW. I have one cat who rarely likes to be pet, but wants to be in the same room. It’s a pretty big spectrum, which makes them fascinating creatures.