Our beloved pets are just as important as our human connections—sometimes even more so. While your dog may not voice their opinion on your fascination with a celebrity like Jason Momoa, they genuinely believe you have a chance. Similarly, cats are affectionate creatures that won’t judge you for binge-watching Friends. They’ll snuggle next to you yet again while Ross takes off for the UK to almost marry a perfectly fine British woman. The truth is, cats are naturally forgiving.
A recent study published in Current Biology indicates that cats form attachment styles towards their humans akin to those seen in dogs and infants. Despite their sometimes aloof demeanor, cats have a strong love for their owners.
Conducted by researchers at Oregon State University, the study found that 64% of cats displayed what is referred to as a “secure” attachment style. This means they exhibited no signs of distress when their owners left the room and showed a healthy mix of bonding and exploration upon their return. Conversely, approximately 35% of the cats showed insecure attachment, demonstrating signs of stress until their owners came back. When reunited, these cats exhibited behaviors ranging from excessive affection to avoidance or disorganized actions.
This aligns with the experiences of anyone who’s had a pet sulk because you dared to close the bathroom door while you were using it. Some pets take their role as companions very seriously.
Interestingly, researchers categorized certain behaviors as “disorganized,” which we can only assume is a polite way of saying “angrily soiling your shoes as a form of protest for taking out the trash.”
In the study, 70 kittens and 38 adult cats were observed. (Why aren’t we ever selected for studies like this?) Handlers placed the pets in a room with their owner for two minutes before removing them for the same duration while scientists recorded their behaviors and reactions.
If researchers ever need volunteers, we’re ready to spend an afternoon with these adorable felines, purely for the sake of science, of course.
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In summary, the affectionate nature of cats is often underestimated. With a variety of attachment styles, they can be just as loving as dogs, proving that our feline friends have a special bond with us.
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