As a pet parent, I often wonder what my cats think about throughout the day. What are they pondering when they rub their face on things? What’s going through their minds when they knock a vase off the edge of the table? And do they think about me when I’m not there?
Cats are confusing and mysterious creatures – one minute they're rolling around on their belly and purring as you stroke them, the next, they've got four paws wrapped around your arm with claws buried deep in your skin – so I'd love to know what really goes on in those heads of theirs.
To find out the answers, I asked Dr Rebecca MacMillan, a qualified vet with 16 years of experience working with cats, to see what she had to say. While we can't ever know 100% what's inside their brain, experts like her can make a pretty good educated guess!
What cats think about
1. Food and water
You could probably guess this one yourself, but Dr MacMillan explains that food and water are high up on your cat's list of thoughts, as their survival depends on them.
She says, "They are hardwired to give this some serious consideration. If your cat is bored and lacking other forms of mental stimulation, then food will dominate their thoughts even more."
So, if you've noticed your cat is overeating and you've ruled out any underlying medical conditions, investing in the best puzzle feeder is a great way to keep them occupied while satisfying their cravings.
2. Their environment
Next on the list is their environment. What place can they explore next? Where can they hide? What could they jump on? And are there any threats to be wary of? Cats are curious by nature and are always looking for ways to interact with the world around them.
She adds, "New sounds, visitors, or smells will give your cat some pause for thought and could even make them feel anxious. Cats are very territorial animals and will spend plenty of time keeping an eye on their surroundings, in between cat naps and other activities."
It's important to provide your feline with plenty of the best cat toys, ledges, scratching posts, and hiding spots to help them express these natural instincts.
3. Social interactions and play
Cats are more sociable than most people think, and a lot of the time, they'll be thinking about how to interact with you and any other pets they live with.
Dr MacMillan says, "Hopefully, these are all positive thoughts, but some cats will suffer from stress and anxiety when introductions haven’t been smooth. Cats soon learn to seek you out for play and a fuss, so they might be thinking about this and contemplating their next move."
When it comes to play, your cat needs around an hour every day, but you can break this up into smaller sessions to make it more manageable. Lots of pet parents find the best automated cat toys helpful for when they're not around the house.
While humans often dwell on the past, cats are excellent at living in the moment and are most interested in what’s happening now. That being said, Dr MacMillan says they have pretty good memories!
She adds: "Don’t forget that cats also sleep a fair amount, so catnaps will help to break up their day, giving their busy brains a rest."
Read next: Signs your cat is happy and do cats think humans are cats?
Rebecca is a veterinary surgeon who graduated in 2009 from the Royal Veterinary College in London. She has a wealth of experience in first opinion small animal practice, having done a mixture of day-to-day routine work, on-call emergency duties and managerial roles over the years. Rebecca enjoys medicine in particular and she is proud to have recently achieved a BSAVA postgraduate certificate in small animal medicine (with commendation).
Edited by Georgia Guerin and Alexis De Leaver.
This page was last updated in August 2025 by Megan Milstead.
