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does my cat love me? do you?

TheFoundTheFound
edited March 2010 in Buddhism Basics
Boom! here's a question,
does my cat truly love me. he appears to...
but
what if he sees me as just a pleasurable tool of his environment?
just now he scratches at the window to come in, i open the window..
then I open his food jar ...and give him food.

do you think he knows that I love him and provide for him etc?
or do you think he just sees me as part of his environment, like
how we see a tree... just a pleasurable piece of the landscape that provides him food?

he's cute and friendly, i could swear i know when he's smiling or has a scowl on his face...

seriously i'm 50/50 on this.... either loves me., or is just a chemical/physical/mental reaction to stimuli machine..

does he unconditionally love me? how could i possibly test that...
are cats capable of love?
are we? or are we ALL just selfish environment mirrors:confused:

Comments

  • RenGalskapRenGalskap Veteran
    edited February 2010
    Domestic cats exhibit what is known as neotony. That means that they continue to exhibit immature behavior after they become physical adults. In your case, that means that you're Mommy. If by "love" you mean an affectionate emotional bond, then yes, cats do love.

    I wouldn't count on unconditional love. If you cause a cat to feel pain, you'll discover that its love does have conditions.
  • PietroPumokinPietroPumokin
    edited February 2010
    i dont think anything BUT love exists, so there's no way your cat couldn't love you
  • Hank777Hank777
    edited February 2010
    Haha, this is somewhat funny topic :lol:. But I do agree with all comments, I think cat DO love, but indeed its love will have likely conditions, but then again that goes for humans too, wouldn't you agree?
  • federicafederica Seeker of the clear blue sky... Its better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to speak out and remove all doubt Moderator
    edited February 2010
    Animals do not have emotions in the same way we do.
    They recognise affection in shelter, safety, food and warmth. They don't know 'love' in the way we describe it.
    They also have no neurotic baggage - unless, of course, we give it to them.....
    Animals are capable of great affection. But treat them badly (as has been said) and they remember that too.
    Their Love is wrapped in Trust.
    They trust you to keep up with the behaviour pattern you've established with them.
    Then they'll keep theirs up.
    Break that trust, and they'll change their attitude.
  • allanstevnsallanstevns
    edited February 2010
    How can anyone answer this??? noone can see into the mind of another being, so how can anyone answer what cats think or feel? We can look at the cats behaviour and social paterns, but that doesnt tell us about the cats abilety to love and experience emotions. We can all guess what goes on ín the minds of others, and we might even guess right - but it will never be anything more than guesses. The only thing we can experience for ourselves is our own minds.

    Much love

    Allan
  • RichardHRichardH Veteran
    edited February 2010
    Cats are cold hearted sociopaths. Dont be tricked. They would sell you up the river if it paid.





    Dogs are good hearted and loving.:D
  • Hank777Hank777
    edited February 2010
    Cats are cold hearted sociopaths. Dont be tricked. They would sell you up the river if it paid.

    Dogs are good hearted and loving.:D
    Hi Richard,

    Though I can appreciate your sense of humor, on a more serious note, I can tell you though cats are different from dogs they are NOT cold hearted animals, and can show real affection.

    Just because they don't do it in the "direct way" dogs do, people tend to see it diffrentely. Just thought I'd point this out. :)
  • RichardHRichardH Veteran
    edited February 2010
    Hank777 wrote: »
    Hi Richard,

    Though I can appreciate your sense of humor, on a more serious note, I can tell you though cats are different from dogs they are NOT cold hearted animals, and can show real affection.

    Just because they don't do it in the "direct way" dogs do, people tend to see it diffrentely. Just thought I'd point this out. :)

    Hi Hank777. It was indeed just a joke. You know..the cat/dog thing. I have adored and mourned the passing of three beloved cats since childhood. Sooty, Whiskey, and Francis.
  • ownerof1000oddsocksownerof1000oddsocks Veteran
    edited February 2010
    cats are all different; dogs are all different; people are all different.

    Some people lump them all together into a category and sell them short.

    Perhaps other beings are not quite so sophisticated but well cats do their best to bring you a present every now and again, even if you're probbly not going to eat it..

    Here's another awesome clip..http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_udqEp_YR4
  • BrigidBrigid Veteran
    edited February 2010
    ownerof1000oddsocks wrote: »
    Perhaps other beings are not quite so sophisticated but well cats do their best to bring you a present every now and again, even if you're probbly not going to eat it..
    Lmao!!
  • harlanharlan
    edited February 2010
    Funny thread! :)

    But seriously, I do think that in the function of stewards, we humans have the capacity to bring along our little cousins. 'Uplift', if you will.

    I know my cat loves me. She tells me so. :)
  • LesCLesC Bermuda Veteran
    edited February 2010
    I have a Siamese that is hopelessly in love with me (as I am with him). Every chance he gets he jumps up in my arms and constantly pushes his face into mine looking for kisses. This behaviour can be really annoying when you are busy trying to type or cook or read... but as Fede said he is just trying to keep up the behaviour that we've established over the last 9 years. And I try and remember that, at those times when I'm really busy, and he doesn't know that.
  • PalzangPalzang Veteran
    edited February 2010
    Did you know that when a cat brushes his head up against you he/she is really marking you? They have glands on their foreheads for marking their territory. You're part of their territory.

    Palzang
  • PietroPumokinPietroPumokin
    edited February 2010
    ha ha that's WEIRD
  • PalzangPalzang Veteran
    edited February 2010
    Yeah. It's always a little dicey to assign human emotions to other species. It may look the same, but it may not be the same.

    Palzang
  • allanstevnsallanstevns
    edited February 2010
    Palzang wrote: »
    Did you know that when a cat brushes his head up against you he/she is really marking you? They have glands on their foreheads for marking their territory. You're part of their territory.

    Palzang

    I know - and im very happy to be part of my cats territory. :D
    But they dont JUST do it to mark their territory - cats also do it with other cats as a sort of socialicing behaviour. Its a way for cats to show each other that they dont have harmful intentions. I have three cats, so I see it often - and these three, are quite affectionate towards each other, my partner and myself.
  • skydancerskydancer Veteran
    edited February 2010
    This is a fun thread. I have a cat that I absolutely adore--that I'm exceptionally attached to. I love the cat too, in that I wish for her to be happy but I know I'm completely attached to this cat and exaggerate her positive qualities while ignoring or minimizing her negative ones. (yes, those beings she kills and brings home)
  • SimplifySimplify Veteran
    edited February 2010
    I didn't spent a couple of weeks house sitting, I didn't see my cats but to clean their litter box and feed them once a day. When I came back one would sit on me and the other would curl up next to me wherever I went in the house for 4 or 5 days.

    I guess they feel secure with the big cat around.

    Love is weird word. A lot of stuff in that word :)
  • satxsatx
    edited March 2010
    federica wrote: »
    They also have no neurotic baggage - unless, of course, we give it to them.....

    You clearly have not met my roommate's cat lol

    I think that all mammals (and probably birds as well) are capable of love. It's not always as complex as human love, but it's definitely there, especially in creatures as intelligent as cats.

    Keep loving your kitty and he will show you his love the only way he knows how. It may not always match up with your definition of love, but such are the joys of having a cat!
  • BrigidBrigid Veteran
    edited March 2010
    satx wrote: »
    You clearly have not met my roommate's cat lol

    I think that all mammals (and probably birds as well) are capable of love. It's not always as complex as human love, but it's definitely there, especially in creatures as intelligent as cats.

    Keep loving your kitty and he will show you his love the only way he knows how. It may not always match up with your definition of love, but such are the joys of having a cat!
    Hear Hear! Well put, satx.
  • tony67tony67
    edited March 2010
    Palzang wrote: »
    Yeah. It's always a little dicey to assign human emotions to other species. It may look the same, but it may not be the same.

    Palzang


    In truth I think this stands for humans as well as animals. Do you pretend to love your wife; Do you love her because she looks or acts like your mother; becuase your biological clock is ticking. Does she really love you or is she pretending? We can never be sure of our own emotions never mind others.

    I do know I enjoy being with my cats, they seem to enjoy being with me. That's what's important.
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