Cats’ “fickleness” — maybe they know everything all along.

Cats are generally described as "fickle" animals. Indeed, it can be hard to tell the difference between "I want to be pampered" mode and "leave me alone" mode, and their mood can change in an instant.

While owners may sometimes be at the mercy of their beloved cats' whims, living with cats also brings many moments where one might think, "Perhaps they're more perceptive than people give them credit for?"

A Cat's "Fickleness" Might Be Calculated

Whether it's work or studying, being "attacked" by your beloved cat for attention just when you need to concentrate is a common experience for cat owners. In such moments, owners usually find themselves both annoyed and endeared, thinking, "Oh, you're so fickle!" But if you think about it, is this really "fickle" behavior?

Because, if they only bother you when you're concentrating, it implies that cats recognize when humans are concentrating or when they think, "I can't play with you right now..." 

When you think about it calmly, isn't that incredibly intelligent behavior? Because I don't think they could do it without learning beforehand, "When I bother them at this time, they react like this."

From that perspective, the "fickleness" that cats display begins to seem like meticulous calculation. ...So why do cats, under the guise of fickleness, conspire to disrupt their owners? Of course, there are various theories in animal behavior, but for me, I think it's "because of love." 

A Cat's Whims May Be a Form of "Love Request"!

Cats often act unpredictably, like knocking things over or interrupting you while you're working. These behaviors are often categorized as "fickle," but I believe that most of them are actually an appeal for "owner, pay attention to me." 

In animal behavior, this is sometimes explained as "to get the owner's attention," but I feel there's a deeper, stronger plea for affection hidden within, like "Look at me more!"

I realized this after witnessing a unique behavior from my beloved cat, Leon. Whenever I was watching videos on my tablet or petting Kotaro, our other cat, Leon would climb onto the table where I kept my makeup tools and skillfully knock off each item, one by one.

With those round, cream-puff-like paws, he even knocks off small items like tweezers. Rather than getting angry, I'm just impressed by his dexterity.

At first, I wanted him to stop, so I'd pick him up and carry him away, or I'd talk to him and say, "I told you to stop doing that, didn't I?" But at some point, I thought, "Leon should just do what he wants," and I stopped going to scold him.

Then, perhaps because Leon wasn't having fun with his mischief if he wasn't getting attention, he gradually stopped knocking things over. Instead, he started wedging himself between my tablet and me, proudly (I suppose?) displaying his fluffy bottom as much as possible. Sometimes it smells a little, but even this makes me happy.

If Leon's behavior was truly "fickle," then he would have continued knocking things over regardless of my actions. However, because the seemingly capricious behavior was triggered by a plea for affection – "Look at me!" – I believe that when my actions changed, Leon's behavior changed accordingly.

Before simply dismissing cats as "fickle," it might be important for owners to try and understand the feelings behind these seemingly capricious actions. That's what I profoundly realized from this experience.

Cats are also "Masters of Reading the Room"

On the other hand, living with cats also brings many moments where one thinks, "Are they really just fickle...?" For example, when I'm not feeling well or when I'm crying, my beloved cats often sense that something is different about me and come to comfort me.

One night, when I was crying alone, they even came and licked my tears, which truly saved me. I'm sure many readers have had similar experiences. When you're feeling down physically or emotionally, cats are somehow always so gentle.

I'm sure cats are not just looking for attention, but are constantly watching humans closely. Even while pretending to be uninterested, like "I'm not interested in owners at all!", they observe human behavior, which allows them to react sensitively to small changes like emotional shifts.

When you look at cats from this perspective, they seem less fickle and more like "masters of reading the room."

They subtly read the atmosphere, observe human behavior, and skillfully assert their own will. I feel cats possess such dexterity and human-like qualities. Perhaps that's why humans feel a kinship with them and even admire their ability to assert themselves while reading the situation.

Cats sometimes display capricious behavior that isn't just seeking attention, but rather a "don't bother me" mode, like a teenager. That mode is mysterious, and I think, "This is true cat fickleness!" But even behind that behavior, there must be some reason.

By understanding these unseen true feelings, and not just viewing seemingly capricious actions as "mere fickleness," I want to continue to deepen our bond.

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