We don't have any more evidence that other animals are conscious than we have that other people are conscious. As far as evidence is concerned, your cat is no more conscious than I am.
Are logfiles enough to count as an inner life? We have clear evidence of those.
I think it's the other way around. We have plenty of evidence that humans are doing something different than most creatures and have trouble articulating exactly what it is.
I don't think we do. The only evidence I have that other people are conscious is by analogy; because I assume that whatever conscious is, I am, and other people seem like me.
You've skipped my point though, I'm saying that your definition of conscious isn't a useful articulation of the difference, so of course it doesn't yield a satisfying result.
Then compare the life's work of Picasso to the life's work of most cats. Art is evocative. Cats poop a lot.
Are logfiles enough to count as an inner life? We have clear evidence of those.