Many people wonder if their cats see them as their parents when they rub their heads or look at them lovingly. I have talked about this with other cat owners, and I am happy that it has been studied.
We have to watch our cats’ behavior to understand them since we cannot talk to them.
A new study published in Current Biology has revealed some interesting findings.
Researchers from Oregon State University found that cats have special attachment styles to their caregivers, like babies and dogs.
The cats in the experiment showed love and attachment to humans, like dogs and infants.
The researchers pulled data to support the hypothesis that cats can attach to their caregivers. This attachment can be secure or insecure as observed in babies and dogs. However, most cats tend to form secure attachments.
This goes against the common belief that cats are cold, mysterious, and not interested or relaxed. The study shows that they can actually make deep bonds and relationships with their owners.
The researchers used an attachment test that was used on dogs and monkeys, and criteria from human infants’ attachment styles.
The test had 70 kittens who spent two minutes in a room with their caregivers, then were alone, and then reunited. While watching their behavior, the researchers put them in known attachment styles seen in dogs and human babies; avoidant, ambivalent, secure, and disorganized.
More than 60% of the kittens had a secure attachment style, meaning that they were upset when their caregivers left the room but had a good response when they came back.
These kittens had a good balance of attachment and exploration when their humans were there.
About 30% of the kittens had an insecure attachment style. This means that these kittens stayed stressed even when their owners came back, showing either avoidance or too much contact-seeking.
A second test after two months had the same results. The researchers also tested adult cats, and the results were the same as the kitten test, with 38 cats over one year old.
Many people don’t think cats can love a lot. But science is learning more about cats. Cats are amazing!
They are loving and sweet, and now we have scientific proof of that!