Do Cats Really Bond With Their Owners?
Do Cats Really Bond With Their Owners?
Cats are often thought of as aloof, contrary and nonplussed by humans. But new research suggests that they form a deep emotional bond with the people who care for them.
Researchers conducted a series of tests on cats and their owners. They recruited 79 kittens and 38 adults to take part in an experiment called the secure base test.
1. Cats are social animals
After years of being seen as aloof or untamed, researchers are starting to realize that cats have a lot of social skills. In fact, a new study published Monday found that they form bonds with their owners that are similar to those seen in dogs and babies.
This is particularly true for domesticated cats, who are highly social animals that form close bonds with their owners. These bonds can be based on a variety of factors, including food, love and attention.
In addition, domestic cats tend to form strong social bonds with other cats within their household. They may also bond with their human caretakers in ways that are not as obvious, such as when they follow their owner around the house or scratch behind their ears.
Feline behavior is a complex and evolving process that takes place over the course of their lives. Cats begin learning about social interactions and behavior at a very young age, when they learn how to use their voices, meows and purrs to communicate with other cats and humans.
2. Cats are solitary animals
Despite their reputation, cats are actually highly solitary animals. This is because cats are primarily nocturnal predators that hunt small mammals, birds and insects.
Cats have excellent vision and hearing. They also have great stamina and agility, enabling them to stalk their prey.
However, they are not as active as dogs, who can run for long distances. They need to be given plenty of exercise, and owners should give their cat a variety of foods and toys to keep them entertained.
They also have excellent object permanence, which means they can recognize their surroundings even if it is hidden from their view. This is an important skill for a solitary hunter, as they need to be able to recognize their prey’s foot patter at night.
They also have an acute sense of smell that is essential for establishing their territory. They do not like confrontation and are more likely to avoid others, or turn around if they see another cat on the same path.
3. Cats are independent animals
Cats have been credited with being independent animals, but that may be more of a myth than fact. Like dogs, they have a natural instinct to hunt and defend their territory (cats' territories are defined by scratch marks, urine spraying and faeces).
Survival is a solitary affair for cats, who are self-reliant for food, shelter, grooming and territorial defence. They are also incredibly intelligent and highly aware of their surroundings.
They can communicate with other cats using a range of sounds and body postures, as well as scents from glands over their face and bodies.
They have been domesticated for thousands of years, but their ancestors were probably already independent hunters in the wild. As humans began to feed them and keep rodents away, it made sense for the animals to stick around.
4. Cats are emotional animals
People who suffer from emotional disabilities such as anxiety and depression often find that their cats can help them cope with their symptoms. Cats are perfect ESAs because they're intelligent, docile, and affectionate.
They are also very sensitive to their owners' emotions and will respond accordingly, according to new research. Using video-cameras, scientists were able to watch cats' reactions when exposed to specific feelings from their humans.
The findings showed that these emotional responses were triggered by human characteristics and the personalities of the cats themselves, rather than being determined by a cat's temperament.
Cats also have a much smaller social network than dogs and don't have the same level of social interaction that we do. When a member of their family dies, for example, it can cause them to experience a lot of grief.
