Signs Your Cat Recognizes You as Its Owner: Do Cats Only Have One?

When a cat has truly bonded with its owner, you'll notice a few distinct behaviors. After they've finished eating, they will often seek out their owner, wanting to play, sleep, or cuddle nearby. They might rub against your legs, purr contentedly, or even show you their belly. When you return home or prepare to leave, a cat that recognizes you as its owner will typically greet you enthusiastically, often following you around and weaving through your legs. If a cat hasn't bonded with you, they simply won’t exhibit these behaviors.

A key indicator that a cat acknowledges you as its owner is its behavior after meals. A bonded cat will actively seek your attention post-meal, displaying affection and a desire for closeness. They'll be happy to play or sleep by your side, possibly even becoming quite vocal and purring a lot to express their affection. Conversely, a cat that hasn’t established a strong bond will typically go off to do their own thing after eating, perhaps taking a nap or grooming themselves somewhere else.

Moreover, a cat that considers you its owner will almost always greet you upon arrival or departure. They will likely rub against you, follow you around, and may even meow to vocalize their happiness. However, a cat who hasn't bonded with you will remain unconcerned with your comings and goings, often continuing to rest or sleep without any interaction.

Do Cats Only Bond With One Person?

It's a common misconception that cats only bond with one person. Cats can actually bond with multiple people, though they often have a favorite. A cat's memory of a person can last for around two weeks, and if the primary caregiver isn't around for an extended period of time, they might, in order to adjust to their new environment, eventually forget about them. If someone else starts consistently feeding and caring for a cat, showing it love and attention, the cat may begin to rely on them and possibly form a new bond, recognizing them as a new owner. The key to forming a bond with a cat is consistency, love, and positive interactions, they can definitely have multiple "owners" they feel affection for.

Source:5D Pet World