Cats may seem all cute and silly, but you wouldn’t actually call them “dumb,” would you? In fact, many cats have incredibly high emotional intelligence! Not only are they not silly, but they can also think things through for you. When your cat exhibits the following behaviors, it means they are displaying their own version of “high emotional intelligence.” If you have a cat like this, you should definitely cherish them!
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Understanding Your Emotions
Some cats are able to read their owner’s emotions and will react accordingly. A study observing 120 domestic cats revealed that when their owner shows signs of sadness (such as crying or a low tone of voice), 78% of the cats would approach their owner and offer comfort through actions like nuzzling, licking, or simply sitting quietly by their side. On the other hand, when the owner is angry, most cats will keep a safe distance and reduce interaction to avoid worsening the owner’s negative emotions. Cats’ ability to accurately recognize human emotions and respond accordingly is a clear sign of their high emotional intelligence. They know how to react in a way that helps manage their human’s emotions, showing a basic level of empathy.
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Little Mediator
Does your cat act as a mediator when you and your family argue? Or, if you live in a multi-cat household, does one of your cats step in to calm things down when two others start fighting? If so, you might have a high emotional intelligence cat! Studies show that when conflicts arise in a group of cats, around 65% of the high emotional intelligence cats will try to defuse the situation by diverting attention. They might bring a toy or initiate a play session, effectively shifting focus. Cats can also sense when the atmosphere in the house is tense during an argument, and they’ll try to prevent further discord. To promote harmony, a high emotional intelligence cat may use specific meows or even jump between the two people to stop the argument.
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Sharing Joy
A high emotional intelligence cat is also one that will actively share its joy with you! When it feels happy, it will want to pass on that happiness to you. This kind of sharing is not just about bringing joy to others, but also reflects the cat’s trust and affection for its human. If you respond positively to the cat’s sharing, the frequency of such behavior can increase by 40%. This means that cats not only share their happiness, but they also notice if you’re enjoying it and will decide whether to continue sharing based on your reaction.
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Remembering Your Likes and Habits
Cats may seem forgetful, but in certain areas, their memory is sharp—especially when it comes to things related to their beloved human! A high emotional intelligence cat can remember the ways its owner likes to interact. For example, if you enjoy petting your cat, the cat will remember this and may actively seek your touch the next time. Cats also remember your daily routine and will adjust their own habits accordingly. If you don’t wake up early, a high emotional intelligence cat won’t wake you up at the crack of dawn either. It will wait until a reasonable hour to rise, aligning with your schedule. This attentiveness to the owner’s lifestyle and adjusting their behavior shows just how considerate and thoughtful these cats can be.
The behaviors mentioned above are all signs of a cat with high emotional intelligence, showing that it is an understanding and thoughtful feline. So, do you think your cat is a high emotional intelligence cat?
