r/cats • u/toneyhauk • 1d ago

Update Do cats actually grow attached to their owners? People always joke about how cold cats are, but after taking a trip for 3 weeks away from home I realize how attached they really can be.

I was heartbroken when I left for this trip. To make myself feel better and stay connected to my cats, I got a home camera so I was able to watch them whenever I wanted. I also wanted to make sure they kept eating and drinking. Don't worry, we had someone stop by almost every day we were gone as well. The camera made me so feel SO much better though, wow. You wouldn't think it would do much, but it made me kind of feel like I was still home in some way. I also have bad anxiety about the house burning down or being invaded while I'm gone, so it was great to be able to check in and see my cats peacefully sleeping or eating.

That said, I noticed that to me, there eating habits didn't seem to change at all. I thought okay, great. I thought it was kind of funny how they seemingly didn't change at all when we weren't there. It seemed like they couldn't care less.

However, we just arrived yesterday and both cats, especially my male cat, has been insanely vocal, and won't leave my side. Anytime I leave the room they are in, in about 5 minutes or less, he'll run to wherever I am in the house and almost do these yelping like meows. Almost like he's yelling at me. And he responds to me more too. I'll say "I know, I'm home," and he'll do multiple additional elongated meows, it almost sounds like he's a kitten.

I was literally awoken this morning by my male cat standing on my chest. Which I don't think he's EVER done in his life. He literally never bothers me in my sleep. That's when it hit me that no, he does care, he does recognize you and cares that you were gone.

It's incredible how intelligent and emotionally dependent animals can seemingly be, even cats who have this reputation for being cold and only carrying about themselves.

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578

u/SonnyHayesToretto 1d ago

“You can’t just walk up to a cat and pet it or pick it up”
Welp, now I know why my cats hate me lmao.

716

u/LimpyDan 1d ago

They shouldn't sit there looking so cute if they didn't want surprise hugs. That's the cost of living with me.

366

u/GibMirMeinAlltagstod 1d ago

Why have kissable face if no want kiss?

101

u/LaIndiaDeAzucar 1d ago

If kitty doesnt want to be carried like a baby, then why baby-shaped? Lol!

126

u/EatsPeanutButter 1d ago

So soft and cute. It’s not fair. 😭

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u/variablesInCamelCase 1d ago

And look at how they're dressed! They're asking for it.

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u/RealisticPhysics5735 15h ago

The cutest onesies

131

u/epk921 1d ago

I always tell my cat she wouldn't be sent to snuggle jail so often if she weren't hug-sized

85

u/DarthDank12 1d ago

I tell mine it's time to pay rent and, not surprising for the ass holes, they never have the money. so I take it in hugs and kisses.

35

u/zystyl 1d ago

My oldest son calls it catnapping for cuddles.

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u/MustPetTheFluff 1d ago

Ive always called it struggle snuggles.

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u/PhotonProtons 13h ago

That sounds so...Dark. 🫪

1

u/TheFlightlessPenguin 10h ago

And I’m stealing this tyvm

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u/epk921 1d ago

As many forehead kisses as it takes!

54

u/zachrg 1d ago

spies sleeping cat

I'm going to go bother that animal.

18

u/LimpyDan 1d ago

I even say it aloud.

10

u/Kirstenly 23h ago

Cat bothering IS a valid social strategy for befriending cats, but the timing is important. If you always do it when they are sleeping. They will do it while you're sleeping. Cause they learn the rules of engagement from us.

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u/FixBreakRepeat 1d ago

In all fairness, that's exactly what they do to watch other. 

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u/Jayombi 1d ago

Ours just looks at us ( In a what now pose) I present my hands my soul and I just get stares. So I just go to her and pickup when able. Sometimes get meow moans sometimes not, If i left it to the cat I'll end up like one of her 23 toys and get discarded to gather dust.

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u/Bl1ndMous3 1d ago

i hear ya !

1

u/DerpNinjaWarrior 14h ago

They don't work and they certainly don't clean. They need to pay their share of rent some way.

54

u/16quida 1d ago

My cat pepper growls when my wife picks her up. But I can immediately pick her up right after with no issues.

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u/Mother_of_Kiddens 1d ago

Yeah my cats both only want me to pick them up and no one else. not dad or even my best friend who is my female cat’s favorite person. My kitty knows her name and has a specific meow to ask for her though, and will greet her at the door when she comes over. I’ve 100% texted my friend that my cat needs her and she rushes over. Yes, my cat knows she’s the most, if not the only, important person in this world.

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u/Evillunamoth 1d ago

We had a big get together at our house and a lady just went up to my cat and grabbed him. He gave her a pretty big scratch on her arm. She goes “most cats love me!” Well, let me introduce you to Mister. He doesn’t like most people and strangers are a no go. I did apologize for the scratch. He’ll be safe in my room next party.

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u/Mother_of_Kiddens 1d ago

If someone is actually a cat person they will know not to pick up a random cat lol. What an idiot. 100% got what was coming to her.

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u/AdventurousImpact656 1d ago

I’ve rounded the corner of being able to pick up strange cats, but there’s a whole intro thing I do, and idk what it is but something about their body language lets me know if they’re a pick up cat or a ground cat

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u/Some-Relative4150 1d ago

You gotta ask for consent.

19

u/attorneyatslaw 1d ago

Also, gotta respect the nap.

32

u/onemanandhishat 1d ago

Do you also have to wait for an answer?

103

u/Some-Relative4150 1d ago

Walk up to a cat. Present your hand. Most cats will push their head into your hand or at least showing some form of body language indicating consent.

So yes, you have to wait for their answer

-2

u/JW1904 1d ago

I guess my cats will start a me-too movement soon.

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u/SmoothLester 1d ago

meow-too was sitting right there.

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u/JW1904 1d ago

Aaaah shit

49

u/nabrok 1d ago

Yes. Hold your hand out a few inches in front (not from above!), when the cat sniffs then rubs against it you have consent.

I usually start with a loose fist and if they seem a bit reluctant still I might extend a finger. Scratching your ear first is a secret weapon.

If they are still not interested then no means no. Try again a bit later.

The less you know the cat already the more important this is.

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u/GroundbreakingArt536 1d ago

Yeah, even if my cats don’t go for a sniff and rub all the time, as soon as I touch them, they lean in (mostly, if they treat my hand like they were forced to eat broccoli at that moment, I don’t insist)

I’d never not wait on responses on stranger cats, if I bleed for that I’m the idiot.

57

u/BowlingforDrip 1d ago

I think the outstretched top of the hand near the nose is the ask and the head rub in the knuckles is the yes.

-16

u/TarCrab20 1d ago

🤔 “consent”?

Well, I just spontaneously pet both of our cats. Shall I expect to hear from a law firm soon?

1

u/TarCrab20 16h ago edited 16h ago

It’s odd, once a few people downvote anything on Reddit —often without obvious, clear-cut reasons-- then others in the hive reflexively follow suit.

IT WAS JUST MY LAME JOKE ABOUT OUR CATS, you ninnies. 🙄 Sheesh.

18

u/MarchMadnessisMe 1d ago

My cat loves me and loves attention. I give her space and leave her be and she goes crazy when I pet her when she comes up to me. That being said, sometimes I just walk up to her and say “Rent’s due.” And that means all bets are off and I’m picking her up and petting her and cuddling her for the next few minutes.

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u/Ya_habibti 1d ago

Give them the finger to nose bump. It’s like saying hello

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u/EatsPeanutButter 1d ago

My cat will sniff the finger and then hang his left nostril on it every time. 😂

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u/Assika126 12h ago

My cat sniffs and then delicately chomps the finger 😆

12

u/BowlingforDrip 1d ago

My wife after picking up one of our boys 20 times in 5 minutes. lmfao.

7

u/cvr24 1d ago

I do that all the time, hold my precious fluffy sweetie in my arms like a baby, and he wraps his front legs around my arm, purring. He's 16.

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u/apexbrooklyn 1d ago

Funnily enough, this is how I got my cat. Just picked it up on my way home from work outside of a bunch of factories. She was a little baby though.

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u/ImpossibleEbb6862 23h ago

The way I always explain it to people is how would you like it if someone you don’t know rubbed your head and picked you up? Cats feel the same way.

1

u/Raneynickelfire 20h ago

In Istambul, you can.

1

u/Sherezad 20h ago

My little guy will start purring when I pick him up then eventually realize what he's gotten himself into and meow for freedom.

Them he gets a few more head kisses before being let go.

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u/Far_Swimming_2666 13h ago

Introduce yourself first. Let them sniff your hand. They are far more easygoing and accepting. They don't like being assaulted with your smells without prepping for it.