To what extent and in what way is the cat attached to us?
Exploring the essence of the feline soul with the help of veterinary behaviorist Dr. Claude Beata.
Cats are often called selfish, indifferent, opportunistic...
In a word - creatures incapable of feeling feelings for us. But this is wrong!
“Like dogs, cats thrive on emotional attachment. Their brains have neural circuits that allow them to maintain a specific connection with a particular person. There is no doubt that they can love their owners,” says Dr. Claude Beata, a veterinary behaviorist. So cats are far more sentimental than they seem.
The cat loves us in its own way
Several scientific studies have attempted to measure the importance of the bond between a pet and its owner. The most recent, conducted in 2019 at the University of Oregon, observed the behavior of 70 kittens between the ages of 3 and 8 months.
The owners initially cuddled them, then left them alone in an unfamiliar room for two minutes before being reunited with them.
The result? Over 60% of the kittens showed signs of calm after the reunion – just like puppies and children do in a similar experiment!
This proves that cats feel better in our presence and therefore love us.
But why then do they have a reputation for being selfish and cold creatures?
"Cats are not social animals - they don't need a group to survive. Unlike dogs, who see humans as their shelter, cats perceive humans as a source of emotional security, but not as a refuge," explains Claude Beata.
In other words, they don't feel the need to seek comfort in us when we ourselves are in trouble. Whereas a dog will come as soon as it senses something is wrong.
How cats express their love
This characteristic helps us better understand both the way cats love us and the way we perceive them.
More independent than dogs, they are also more self-sufficient in their emotional relationships. This is why they often seem distant to us.
It's no surprise that they don't jump for joy when they see us, or that they don't let us hug them whenever we want. The cat determines when and where the petting will happen.
While a dog is ready for a cuddle at all times and follows its owner everywhere, a cat will only accept closeness at certain times. Petting is nice – but only when it wants it. This sets the pace!
However, not all cats build the same type of bond with their people.
Small and big feelings
Every cat has its own story and personality. Some are more affectionate and loving, others are more reserved. They can express a whole range of emotions.
The most independent cats don't develop an emotional bond with their owners. “These are usually cats that haven't been socialized with humans by the time they're two months old or have had bad experiences with humans,” explains Dr. Beata. These cats are only interested in food and shelter, no matter who provides them.
The opposite case is cats, who become overly dependent and cannot live without their humans. Such animals show extreme affection, showering their owner with attention and love.
“When a cat experiences separation anxiety, loses its appetite, urinates outside the litter box, or licks excessively to the point of losing fur on its belly or paws, this is already a pathological condition. But with the help of a veterinary behavior specialist, very good improvement can be achieved,” the expert explains.
Between these two extremes, most cats build normal, stable relationships with their people. They are affectionate and show it every day in their own way - through gentle head nudges, warm glances, or a quiet presence next to us.
“But unlike dogs, cats have little ability to reconcile after a conflict,” warns Claude Beata.
“This means that their bond with humans is fragile — if they are hurt, they are unlikely to return.”
That's why we need to treat them with care. The love of a sensitive cat is a priceless gift that must be earned.
Signs that your cat loves you
She bites you lightly while purring—because her emotions are too strong.
He nods his head at you to leave his scent on you.
A cat pawing your belly, imitating sucking — this is a childhood memory.
He lies on you or next to you because he seeks your company.
He purrs with his mouth closed—a sign of complete trust.
She is playing and turning her back to you — it means she feels completely protected.
He looks at you and blinks slowly—an expression of complete calm and affection.
0 Comments:
Post a Comment