People who love cats, psychology and character: why do some people like them more than people?

Surely among your friends there are people who have a special love for cats. Maybe you yourself are a fan of these fluffy fidgets. Our article is devoted to a review of interesting psychological facts about cats, after learning which you will better understand your pet’s behavior and learn more about your character. Enjoy reading!

Why do people love cats?

Psychology of cats. People who love cats

Everyone has their own hobbies: some people like to spend time watching TV series, others prefer active recreation or knitting, and some people love to caress cats, play with them, and talk as if they were talking to a person. Therefore, all cat lovers have common character traits, and psychological science provides an explanation for this. The cat symbolizes both independence and devotion, character and strength and affection, grace and fragility. People love cats because they either have certain cat-like traits or want to have those traits.

Surely, in recent years, you have noticed that the number of cat lovers’ communities on the Internet has increased. There are a lot of funny pictures and videos dedicated to your favorite pets. This is explained by the fact that the cat symbolizes home comfort, happiness and tranquility. Recently, people have been focused on living comfortably and happily, and a lot of effort and resources are spent on this. And if there is also a cat in the house, happy, well-fed, affectionate, then life is good.

Cats are loved because these animals love tactile contacts: you can stroke them, scratch them behind the ears, caress them, and fall asleep with them. In this way, modern people relieve stress and make up for the lack of love and tenderness.

The cat symbolizes home comfort, happiness and tranquility

Interesting fact! Very often you can notice that young couples in love who begin to live together, first of all, have a cat in the house, and only years later children. This is explained by the fact that a cat does not require much attention and young people subconsciously perceive a cat as a child. After a while, people become convinced of the strength of their union and decide to have a baby.

How can I help the grief?

It is often said that with old age, character deteriorates, a person becomes grumpy, intolerant, unbearably suspicious or overly anxious. Psychologists believe that it is not a matter of character damage, but that the loss of mental and physical strength leads to a weakening of control. Previously, a person could control himself, somehow monitor his manifestations, but over the years, self-control weakens and what was previously hidden begins to reveal itself, sometimes in the most inadequate forms.

What should relatives do if their grandmother got a dozen cats? Of course, you can feel sorry for your grandmother and be forgiving of her weakness, or try to appeal to her reason, wasting time on fruitless persuasion, but... unfortunately, the grandmother herself can take any help with hostility, an attempt to clean her apartment or somehow help animals - violence against yourself and cats. And such aggressive behavior once again confirms that the grandmother does not care about cats, but about the safety of her illusory world, where she is the arbiter of the fate of stray cats.

No matter how bitter it may be for your relatives to admit this, it will be almost impossible to explain something to your grandmother with reasonable arguments. Attempts to deceive or persuade will most likely lead to a nervous breakdown of the persuader himself. Moreover, such a situation usually indicates that dialogue with relatives has already been lost.

Depending on the possibility and desire of the relatives, if the situation is close to extreme, uncontrollable, guardianship can be granted over the grandmother - then a relative can make all important decisions for her. You can invite a gerontologist or psychiatrist to visit your grandmother, and do not say what kind of doctor will come, just say - a “doctor” will come.

The specialist will better assess the grandmother’s condition and can prescribe her the necessary medications. You can hire a nurse for such a grandmother, invite a cleaning lady.

There is no need to ask grandma herself for permission to clean the apartment or give away seventeen extra cats, etc. We must try, as calmly and firmly as possible, to bring the situation closer to normal and in the future to maintain order in the elderly person’s home ourselves. It’s not a sin to think about the suffering animals that ended up with such a mistress - untreated, poorly fed, lousy. They would be much better off in the trash heap. If it’s a shame to throw them out there, then you can turn to people who take care of animals and place the cats in shelters.

Because, although we do not have a law stating that you cannot keep twenty cats in an apartment, there is an article of the Criminal Code on cruelty to animals, and in the case of abnormal living in an apartment of dozens of cats, this article is most likely violated. This can be used by neighbors who suffer from the inevitable smell or fleas in such cases.

Elena Zagorodnaya, clinical psychologist
Photo: facebook.com

Why do women love cats so much?

Exquisite women's tattoos depicting a graceful slender cat are very popular. It is obvious that for modern women the cat is the embodiment of feminine nature, beauty and sexuality, elegance and grace. Such women make it clear that they are not only beautiful, but also daring and vindictive, who know how to show off their “claws” when the occasion is right. Projecting their own, truly feminine character traits onto the cat, representatives of the fair sex love to buy shiny jewelry and tickets to specialized exhibitions for cats. In this way, women assert themselves and increase their self-esteem.

Cat Personality Traits

Idea! Therefore, if you are communicating with a woman who really loves cats, ask her a few questions about the character of her pet. A woman will be happy to talk about her favorite, and you will know that much of what is mentioned is present in the character of the woman herself.

Psychological facts

Forgiving early wake-ups in the morning, scratches on legs, the habit of using furniture instead of a scratching post, and other “charms” of having a cat in the house allows for something more that these pets give in return. People like them because they allow:

• Get the "source" of daily fun. In terms of their ability to amuse people, cats are unlikely to have many competitors, because they are able to take funny, touching poses, fall asleep in unexpected places, and create other reasons for smiling.
• Give your care. Sometimes you might think that one of the main purposes of a cat is to be an object of care and love. Their main weapon is a muzzle with a neat nose and big eyes, soft fur that you constantly want to stroke and squeeze - even adults “turn on the love” for these animals.

• Heal your “sore” places. Bioenergeticists are confident that the positive aura of cats helps relieve fatigue and migraines, has a beneficial effect on normalizing blood pressure and pulse, and reducing pain in diseased internal organs.
• Feel needed. Cats sense well when their owner is upset and angry, so they are ready to come to him for comfort. At the same time, their purring acts as a sedative. It’s not for nothing that they say: a dog is a friend of man, a cat is a friend of the soul.
• Think about literary works. In different eras, Russian writers made these animals the main characters of their works, endowing them with intelligence and cunning. Just look at the cat Behemoth from “The Master and Margarita” by M. Bulgakov or the scientist cat from Lukomorye by A. Pushkin.
• Awaken or realize parental instincts. It is their manifestation that serves as a source of love for cats and care for those who need it. In addition, meowing is sometimes called mimicry of a child's cry. Indeed, life with these pets is in many ways reminiscent of life with a child, although for some, such “humanization” of animals is perceived as a surrogate for motherhood.
• Remember femininity. For some, a cat's grace, grace, beauty, and the ability to “show her claws” at the right time are the embodiment of feminine nature. It’s not for nothing that cat tattoos are one of the most popular themes.

Scientists who study human and animal behavior believe that love for cats is genetically determined

In ancient times, large felines posed the greatest danger to people, so it was important to monitor them and study their habits. And love and admiration have already become a by-product of such observations and have been consolidated over many years of coexistence

Likes of the cat family: what kind of people do cats like and why?

Cats love it when people show them attention and care. Pay attention to street cats, how they crave communication and affection, how they rub against the legs of a random passerby who calls out to the animal. Domestic cats receive a lot of attention every day, so they are more selective in their contacts.

Cats love to show attention and care towards them.

You've probably heard the expression “animals look like their owners.” Often, a cat will choose one family member whom it considers its true owner, even if other people treat it well. Psychologists say that a cat will prefer a person who gives the animal his love and care, but does not require reciprocal expressions of feelings, does not force the animal to caress, play, or sit on his lap. Each cat has its own temperament, character and preferences, so it chooses the person who is most similar to itself.

Cats don't like rude, unkind people. However, if a cat lives in a family where it is not well cared for, in most cases it will still strive to communicate - this is its nature. Cats know how to forgive their owners. Some breeds, for example, Siamese, have a special character: proud, independent, aloof. Such animals rarely strive to communicate with people and do not like tactile contacts, even if the owner is kind and affectionate. This does not mean that the animal does not like you, it’s just that his psyche is structured this way.

When did cats appear in human life?

Advice! Therefore, when choosing a kitten for your family, you should take a close look at its character. If the cat is purebred, you need to study the characteristics of this species to avoid disappointment.

What do cat poses say?

It is generally accepted that felines are more liked by straightforward, frank and fair people. Cats, whose psychology is structured differently from dogs, can become their true friends, but not slaves. You can find someone with a cat if you know the peculiarities of its behavior.

You should pay attention to everything: posture, manner of movement, voice, ears and tail. Cats use more than just sounds to express needs

More often they prefer to communicate using gestures and facial expressions, and sometimes a whole set of signs.

Love for cats, whose psychology has not yet been fully understood by anyone, is an incentive to study the habits of the animal and understand it. are distinguished by grace and can tell a lot about her:

• Calm, observation - the cat sits with its tail wrapped around its paws.
• Greeting - the cat rubs against the owner’s legs, moving from paw to paw.
• Love and affection - rubs its muzzle and whiskers against the face or legs of the owner.
• Thoughtful - lying on his back.
• Warning – a sharp swish of the tail.
• Intimidation - the back is arched.
• Threat - fur standing on end, paws straight and outstretched.

A raised cat's tail indicates friendliness; a lowered and tousled tail indicates confusion. A tail pointing down and tapping the floor means the cat is scared. Nervous twitching of the tail from side to side, whipping it on the sides means the highest degree of aggression.

Dominance and the desire to suppress enemy aggression can rarely be observed among females. A mother cat, if her babies are in danger, will fight to the bitter end. She will give her life for the kittens, not retreating even from the most terrible and large enemy. But cats often, in the struggle for the affection of a young cat, can fight fiercely, finding out who is stronger. The pose when they stand motionless nose to nose expresses extreme concentration

The slightest movement of the enemy or a sharp extraneous sound can become the impetus for a brave battle. But sooner or later one of the cats is defeated

He lies on his stomach, pressing his body and head tightly to the ground, and extends his paws with claws towards the enemy. His posture expresses both submission and threat. In this case, the winner leaves first, demonstrating his dignity and superiority. Friendly relations between adult males are practically impossible.

Cats in relation to humans at home are somewhat different. They rarely express extreme aggression towards their owner. But a stranger may be scratched or bitten if he does not retreat after the warning signs. More often, aggression is triggered by fear, stress or confusion. Complete trust in the owner and others is manifested in a position on the side or back, when the stomach is open. The cat's eyes are usually closed, she is relaxed, dozing and is not at all averse to being petted.

How to tell if a cat loves you

Cats have a unique language with which they “talk” to people. Every owner must learn to understand the mood of their pet so that their connection is strong and mutual. To express sympathy and love, cats have a whole arsenal of facial expressions and gestures:

1. Purring.
2. Licking.
3. The desire to spend all the time together.
4. Falling asleep on your knees and in the same bed.
5. Showing belly and tail.
6. “Butting”, rubbing against arms and legs.
7. Sharpening claws on furniture.
8. “Massage” with claws and trampling on the body.
9. Surprises and gifts.

10 signs a cat loves you

Leader

A person who knows how to rally others around him is truly talented. Some of us don't know how to do this. Only with the right approach and good relationships with your comrades can you become the one who unites them. We are all looking for a partner or an ally who could help in difficult and unpleasant situations. Or someone who could organize a huge support group at a critical moment.

Become that person. You need to respect those around you and not forget that they also have feelings and interests. Then everyone will be drawn to you, and everyone will like you after the first conversation. This is a good skill that will be useful in different areas of life.

How to make friends with a cat?

The easiest way to make friends with a cat is at an early age, because the kitten perceives the person who feeds, cares and caresses it as its mother. Over time, the owner and kitten “get used to” each other, they develop joint fun and traditions. If an adult cat for some reason dislikes a person, she will not want to spend time with him and will refuse to accept his attention. In such cases, you can try to make friends with the cat, although this process is long and will require patience from you.

1. Try to create the most comfortable conditions for the animal: a cozy bed, good food, periodic treats, interesting toys.
2. Do not perform actions that the animal may perceive as an act of aggression: do not shout, do not make sharp hand gestures, do not create noise and a nervous environment in the house, do not throw the cat during games.
3. Cats can remember an insult for a long time and, on occasion, take revenge on the owner, so treat the animal with respect: do not disturb it while sleeping, do not take food, do not scream, and do not hit it under any circumstances.
4. Study special literature on the topic of cat sign language. This way you will begin to understand what mood the cat is in and what she wanted to get from you. For example, if you see that the animal has flattened its ears and retracted its head, it is better to leave it alone. And if the cat looks at you intently, blinks and moves towards you, it’s time to pet it.

Cats can remember an insult for a long time and, on occasion, take revenge on their owner.

When the cat understands that you are not a threat to it and are friendly, over time it will begin to trust you.

Advice! If you are unable to make friends with a cat, despite all your efforts, try contacting an animal psychologist or, for example, finding thematic groups of cat lovers on social networks. Experienced breeders will not refuse you useful advice.

Nanny cats

Cats love to sleep in beds with babies because they smell like mother's milk. It is possible that cats also like a soft and cozy baby bed. Of course, you should not allow a cat to be in bed with a baby: it is not hygienic. In addition, the animal may accidentally scratch the child.

Cats are very kind and caring towards small children.

When the baby grows up, there is no need to limit his communication with the soft fluffy ball. Young children love cats because they are interested in an animal that is active and loves to play and jump. Some children love to pet cats, subconsciously perceiving them as their mother - gentle and affectionate. Young children may not always be able to clearly understand and explain their feelings of frustration, resentment, or fatigue. But those children who have a furry pet in the house endure stress much easier. You can pet the cat and listen to its purring, after which you will feel calm and peaceful.

Some cats are very kind and caring towards small children, show them their love in every possible way and try to spend a lot of time together. Parents from an early age should teach their child to communicate correctly with a cat, then this friendship will bring a lot of positive emotions for all family members.

Ailurophilia: pathological attachment, excessive love for cats or a disease?

If we talk about such a pathological condition, when more than 300 cats live on 30 square meters, then naturally this creates serious problems for both the person and those around him. Such a situation may pose a certain epidemiological risk.

• Many believe that taxoplasmosis is to blame. But it is not the cause of ailurophilia.
• Here, rather on the contrary, too many unkempt cats pose a high risk of taxoplasma infection.
• If a person has loved cats all his life, but has not yet suffered from ailurophilia, then he could develop taxoplasmosis. It is known that even communication with one animal is already a risk.
• Therefore, if an infected person suffering from toxiplasmosis gets cats, then there is, accordingly, no connection.

Is ailurophilia an independent disease? Is it pathological attachment or excessive love for cats? Here is the answer:

• We can say with confidence that this is not an independent disease.
• As a rule, this is a secondary phenomenon.
• The person may be suffering from mental illness. It could be a personality disorder, or it could be psychosis.
• As a result of this, he falls out of society, stops communicating, participating in the life of the family, team, yard, home, and so on. And all these contacts he has are completely limited only to cats.

Perhaps the patient is just a lonely person who, in his life, by his character, has such a difficult, harmful, grumpy disposition that it is difficult for him to communicate with other people. That is, something on the border between psychopathy and personality disorder. Such a person can also reduce all his contacts only to contacts with cats.

Another reason:

• It may also be that this person has not squandered his caring potential, and is actively looking for a way out.
• This is most often observed in elderly single women.
• That is, unspent maternal instinct, unused resources of the body, aimed at caring for others, the weak and small, can also be realized in this unusual way.

In conclusion, it is worth noting that this is more a psychological than a medical phenomenon. Ailurophilia itself, as a disease in its pure form, practically does not occur. As a rule, always in such complex combinations: instincts, mental and personality disorders.

Character and temperament of cats

A cat's temperament is the totality of an animal's reactions to external stimuli. This is an innate quality that practically does not change over the course of life. The character of a cat can be changed by forming certain habits in it. However, many commonalities can be found in the behavior of cats.

Interesting facts about cats

Researchers from the UK conducted a survey of more than 200 cat owners, as a result of which they were able to identify a typology of cat characters:

Talents

What kind of people do you think luck favors? Many are sure that they are talented or charismatic. These people rarely get into trouble, and if something unpleasant happens, they can turn the situation around in the right direction without any problems. And it’s not that they have a talent for persuasion or anything like that. You may have different talents: singing, photography, choreography or sculpting... In any case, you have a well-developed imagination, and you are also well-read. After all, talents require deepening into the topic.

In addition, talented people are also attracted due to the fact that they develop. Their personality is constantly undergoing changes. It's never boring with such people. On the contrary, it is very interesting and exciting.

If you want to be loved by everyone, then become a charismatic person. Look for several talents in yourself and develop them. The main thing is that you are interested and comfortable doing what you do best. And you can attract other people not only with your talent, but also with your work.

Relationships between cats and dogs

The proverb “like a cat and a dog”, which has long been known to all of us, does not always turn out to be true. Indeed, these animals do not get along well with each other, this can be especially clearly observed in the relationship between street cats and dogs. At home, you can keep a cat and a dog at the same time if you raise them correctly. True friendship between these animals is unlikely to happen (although there are exceptions), but living together is quite possible. It is desirable that each animal has a place where it can retire and relax.

Relationships between cats and dogs most often do not work out due to differences in personalities and temperaments, as well as in body language. Using the table, you can clearly assess how great the difference is in the behavior of these animals.

How to introduce animals and help them bond

Differences in body language between cats and dogs

Bioenergetics of humans and cats

Communication with a cat is a great way to not only relieve stress and improve your mood, but also an opportunity to alleviate the symptoms of many diseases. Cats have unique energy and increased sensitivity; they can independently determine the area of ​​the human body that needs treatment. Cat therapy is carried out using purring, gentle “massage” with claws, and warming the diseased area of ​​the body with warm fur.

Relationship between cats and humans

Cats are best able to help people suffering from high blood pressure, insomnia and neurological diseases, colds, bone and joint diseases, and cardiovascular diseases. Cats know how to restore a person’s energy balance, as well as cleanse the home of bad energy.

Some cats sense places in the apartment that are unfavorable from a bioenergy point of view. Perhaps you yourself have noticed that none of the family members, for whatever reason, wants to sit in the farthest chair in the hall, and always chooses another place to rest. Nevertheless, the cat always chooses this particular chair and lies in it in the “sphinx” position, with its front legs extended and its hind legs tucked. In this way, the cat cleanses our house of bad energy, making it cozy and comfortable for all household members.

On a note! The cat is one of the most ancient inhabitants of the human home. Do not deny yourself communication with a little fluffy ball, this animal will give you a lot of joy and happy moments spent together.