Last updated on November 11th, 2023 at 09:51 am
In the enchanting world of feline companionship, the question often arises: “How do cats choose their favorite person?”
Cat owners are well aware of the unique bonds they share with their furry friends, but the mysterious process behind a cat selecting their preferred human remains a captivating enigma.
Let’s explore the subtle cues, behaviors, and emotional connections that shed light on the age-old question of how our beloved cats decide who holds the esteemed title of their favorite person.
How Do Cats Choose Their Favorite Person?
To understand how cats choose their favorite person, we have to take a journey back to the beginning, when kitties first decided to become domesticated.
Yep, that’s right, they decided. Unlike dogs, we didn’t domesticate cats; they made the choice all on their own. At least that’s what anthropologists believe.
According to DNA evidence discovered about two years ago, cats actually lived alongside people long before the first records of domestication.
Researchers looked at the DNA of cats spanning across nearly 10 millennia, dating all the way back to ancient Egypt.
What does this history lesson have to do with how cats pick their favorite person?
For that answer, we should look at why they chose to hang out with us even before we decided they made great pets!
Why Did Cats Domesticate Themselves?
As with all ancient history, the reason why cats domesticated themselves is just as much guesswork as it is science-based.
Researchers believe that cats quickly learned that where there are humans, there’s prey.
See, the world wasn’t as “clean” as it is today. Mice and rats made homes in grain stores, among other foods.
It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out how that would appeal to cats! They invited themselves to become a part of our lives, and we quickly realized the benefits of a good mouser.
By now, you’re thinking, “Oh! So the person that feeds him is the person he likes best!” Not so fast, my friend. If it was that simple, it wouldn’t be surprising!
From that lesson, we learned that cats are pretty darn good at feeding themselves.
Sure, they’re perfectly happy to let you fill their bowls indoors, but if you turned your cat loose (don’t do this, though), he’d manage to survive.
Why Do Cats Have a Favorite Person
If it’s not about the food, then how do cats decide which person is their favorite?
Cats often develop a favorite person due to a combination of factors, including shared experiences, daily interactions, and the individual’s demeanor.
Cats may be drawn to someone who provides comfort, engages in positive interactions, and meets their needs, creating a unique and special bond based on familiarity and trust.
As with all great relationships, it’s all about communication and bonding.
Communicating With Your Cat
Let’s start with communication, as your cat’s meow actually has a fairly fascinating history!
Did you know that evidence suggests cats learned to meow just for us?
See, cats don’t meow at each other when they have something to say. Kittens, sometimes, but adult cats? Nope.
They use other methods of speaking, like body language, scent, and even touch.
However, they figured out that we just weren’t getting it, so they developed speech! Or at least a kitty version of it.
Since they went through all that work and evolution just for us, it shouldn’t surprise you that your cat’s favorite person is the one he feels can best understand him.
After all, your favorite person is someone who totally gets you, right?
How can you be the person who really gets your cat? Start by learning what certain meows mean.
Tips For Understanding Your Cat
According to experts:
- A short meow means “hey there!”
- A bunch of meows in a row mean, “Yay, you’re home! I’m super happy to see you!”
- A mid-range meow means “please feed me” or “please play with me.”
- A long meow means “obey me now, human!”
- A low-pitch meow means “I’m super irritated with you right now.”
- A really high meow means “ouch!” or “Wow, I’ve never been so ticked off!”
- Hissing and spitting mean “Back off! I don’t like you at all right now!”
- Purring usually means “I’m pretty content.”
Of course, like people, cat’s “words” are open to interpretation. By spending time bonding with your cat, you’ll learn what his meows mean.
Bonding With Your Cat
Of all my cats, I have the strongest bond with Alex the Fuzz. Why? Mostly because he thinks I’m his mama.
See, Alex was a feral, born right near our house to “White Feet.” She used to bring them around when she hunted, leaving them in the relative safety of our front porch.
Sadly, when Alex was just about 5 weeks old, White Feet was attacked and killed, likely by a fox.
Alex and his sister Doppy (aka Doppleganger, because she looked just like Alex) stayed outside our home. Doppy was shy and wouldn’t come near us.
Alex, on the other hand, decided that I was to be his new mama. He’d climb on me and nestle into my coat. He also chased my son around and even came up to the fence to touch noses with the dogs.
After a little more than a week of that, my mother took him to the vet to get him checked out and brought him inside, where he’s lived happily ever since.
Alex loves everyone in the house, but he loves me just a little bit more. Experts would say that he imprinted on me, but honestly, I think it’s because I paid the most attention to him.
Don’t get me wrong, my son and mom spent a lot of time loving him, but I cleaned him, cuddled him, kept him warm, and nursed him back to health (he had a bad cold).
Obviously, not all cat owners have the opportunity to be imprinted the way Alex imprinted on me. Whether you adopt a kitten or an older cat, the following will help deepen your bond:
Tips For Bonding With Your Cat
- Spend real time with him outside, just feeding him. Play together, cuddle, and just be present.
- Give him space when he needs it. Nothing kills a bond faster than forced snuggles.
- Establish trust first before you try petting his belly or other “vulnerable” spots.
- Gently brush him (but only if he likes it)
- Pay attention to his signals and indulge him when possible. In other words, if he’s asking for a snuggle, give it to him.
Above All Else, Respect Your Cat
If you want to become your cat’s favorite person, you have to give him the respect he deserves.
Whatever you do, don’t try to force it. Let him come to you. Think about how you feel when you just want to be left alone and people keep intruding.
If you take the time to really get to know your cat and his signals, you’ll have no problem becoming his favorite person.
Do you have any thoughts on how cats choose their favorite person? Share below!
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Nicole is one of the writers here on CatVills. She’s been a cat lover most of her life and-at one point- counted five felines as part of her family. Today, she’s proud cat mom to two indoor kitties and caregiver for a slew of ferals.
I didn’t realize there is a science to bonding with cats! I must be a cat whisperer, because when I go to family or friends’ houses, their cats hang around me, and I’m more than happy to oblige petting them, or letting them lie on my lap or near me.
The psychology of cats is interesting. As a kid we had a cat who loved me and would always be bringing me gifts (dead animals under my bed and in my closet), yep, I didn’t love that cat back.
Our cats are pretty equal opportunity between my husband and me. However, the 3 male cats slightly prefer my husband, while the 2 female cats prefer me. It’s kind of interesting. We take turns feeding them, but I have one cat that I prefer above the others, even though we have nicknamed her ‘Psycho Kitty.” She was a feral kitten and has never become quite tame, and I never know what will set her off! Thanks for this info on cats.
You have some really solid advice here, thank you so much for sharing!
Happy new years from Stockholm Sweden 🙂
Hehe….wow, I had no idea how to communicate with a cat! Although, I am more of a dog-person, there is so much for me to learn from here!
Aww I do believe I am my cats favourite person, they all want to cuddle up and sleep with me all the time and keep putting their noses everywhere so I pet them.
Ah… you have it all incorrect. Cats OWN people, and they CHOOSE which person will be their favoutite slave. You are there to see to THEIR comfort and they pay you by allowing you to think you are the important one in the relationship. Don’t be fooled by people telling you that you own a cat. I am the chosen designated slave of 2 males, Boo and Zoro and 1 female, Babbet.
Oh wow, this is news to me! I didn’t know all this about cats. My family loves cats.
Very interesting. I’m a dog person. I’ve had one cat and she had a strong personality LOL.
We adopted our cat because she took right to my son. She still does. He is her clear favorite.
I liked reading about the history on how cats got domesticated. I never owned a cat but I didnt know cats could have a favorite person I thought they just do what they want.
Cats definitely prefer certain types of people that is for sure. Cats tend to not like me, but maybe that is because I prefer dogs.
My sweet cat will go up to her food dish & paw at the wall above her dish & paw on floor right by her food dish. She also does this by our male cat’s dish. I just wonder why.
She is ‘burying’ it. Saving it for later and protecting it from others.
It’s her way of saying I’m not hungry right now but I’ll be back for it later.
I don’t have pet cats because I had a little knowledge about them. I came to know a lot about them by this post. Thanks!
I love cats and I have a good relationships with them. They love to snuggle and cuddle! Hope they remain sweet!
Our family cat who has been with us for about 16 years meows a lot these days. I’m told older cats love to talk and meowing is their thing. Hahaha
I had two cats first was beebee she was tiny adopted and talked alot. I love her and she would protect me and talk
Tp me all the time and I understood what she wanted she did not want to be with men and she would hide but just enough to see me she died at 30 yrs was the best. Had another one that was tortishell and she did not like nobody but died at 28.
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