Introduction
Cats can often seem aloof, but they are surprisingly capable of forming strong bonds and showing preference for certain people over others. Anyone who has been “chosen” by a cat knows the joys of this special relationship. But how exactly do cats decide who to bestow their affection upon? There are many interesting factors at play.
In this article, we’ll explore how cats choose their favorite humans. We’ll look at the roles of scent, feeding routines, petting styles, play preferences, early socialization, respecting boundaries, and other considerations that can influence a cat’s bonding and relationships. While cats have a reputation for being independent, the latest science and cat owner experiences reveal complex social dynamics underlying who cats decide to love.
Cats Build Relationships Through Scent
Cats have a powerful sense of smell and use it to identify people. A cat’s sense of smell is 14 times stronger than a human’s. This allows them to gather a wealth of information from scents (Oradell Animal Hospital). Scents on skin and clothes allow cats to tell humans apart. Cats have scent glands on their faces, paws and tails that they use to rub against people and objects, leaving their scent behind. This “scent marking” of preferred humans helps cats determine who their preferred companions are. Cats will return often to the scent marks they’ve left to refresh them. The scent provides reassurance and familiarity for the cat.
Cats Bond with People Who Feed Them
Food is a powerful motivator for cats, so it’s no surprise that they often form close attachments to the people who regularly feed them. According to a survey by Rover, over 60% of cat owners reported being their cat’s favorite human, likely because they are the ones filling the food bowl each day. Cats are very food motivated, so they associate the person who feeds them with getting their next meal.
This bond can start early, as kittens imprint on the first person who regularly feeds them. As they grow, cats learn to recognize who is responsible for meal time by sight and smell. They will often show affection like rubbing, purring, and kneading to the feeder as a way to ensure the food keeps coming. Some cats may even wake their owner up in the morning or meow insistently around feeding times as a reminder. While cats are bonded by more than just food, it is certainly one key way they form attachments with the humans in their lives.
Cats Prefer Humans Who Pet Them
Cats enjoy being petted by some people more than others. They will seek out affectionate human attention from those who pet them in ways that they enjoy. Cats have preferences when it comes to where and how they like to be petted.
According to experts, most cats dislike having their bellies, legs/feet, or tails petted [1]. However, they generally enjoy being petted around the cheeks, chin, neck, and back/upper back. Cats also often like being scratched gently around the ears and cheeks. Each cat has unique preferences, so it’s important to pay attention to your cat’s reactions and focus on the areas they seem to enjoy.
Cats that dislike certain types of petting may do so because of fear, pain, or lack of socialization. But in general, cats seek out humans who pet them in preferred areas and in gentle, calming ways. By learning your cat’s unique likes and dislikes, you can build a stronger bond through affectionate yet respectful petting.
Play Styles Can Influence Bonds
Interactive play has been shown to help build rapport between cats and humans. According to a 2022 study published in Applied Animal Behaviour Science, cats displayed more positive behaviors like purring, rubbing, and kneading during play interactions with owners who exhibited an understanding of the cat’s play style preferences (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1558787822000533).
The research indicates that cats tend to bond more closely with humans who play with toys the way the individual cat prefers. For example, some cats prefer chasing toys that the human controls with a string or wand, while others like chase and pounce games where the human throws toys for them to run after. Humans who pay attention to a cat’s unique play style and preferences can build stronger connections through interactive playtime.
Routine and Familiarity Matter
Cats tend to like routine and familiar people in their environment. They often form close bonds with family members that they interact with daily, as the regular contact helps reinforce the cat-human relationship. According to a study from Oregon State University published in Current Biology, cats were found to display signs of attachment to their owners similar to dogs, such as increased stress when separated from their owner. The researchers believed this was likely due to cats becoming accustomed to their owners over time through repeated care and social interaction.
Since cats thrive on predictability, having regular play time, meal time, and snuggle time with their owners helps them feel more secure, as they know what to expect. Cats that have a consistent daily routine with their favorite humans are likely to grow more attached compared to cats that have less interaction. The familiarity of regularly seeing the same people contributes to a cat bonding closely with certain family members.
Cats May Favor Humans Who Respect Their Boundaries
Cats are known for being independent creatures who value their personal space. Unlike dogs, who aim to please their owners, cats relate to humans on their own terms (1). As a result, cats often favor people who respect their boundaries over those who force interactions.
Cats show they want space by actions like swishing their tail, turning their back, folding their ears back, or hissing. Humans who understand these signals and give cats space when requested tend to build better bonds. Cats prefer humans who let them initiate cuddling or lap time, rather than chasing them around to force interaction. Petting against a cat’s wishes can break trust.
By respecting when a cat desires solitude, humans demonstrate that they understand and care about feline preferences. Over time, this makes the cat more likely to seek that human out for affection voluntarily. On the other hand, people who frequently disturb a cat’s alone time or force interactions may find the cat hiding more often in response.
While cats do bond deeply with their human families, they fundamentally remain autonomous creatures. Humans who tune into a cat’s subtle body language and respect when the cat wants to be left alone often become the favorite person.
(1) https://www.rover.com/blog/cats-choose-favorite-person/
Early Socialization Plays a Role
Positive exposure to humans as kittens impacts bonding. Kittens that are handled gently often grow attached to their caregivers (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8044293/). This early socialization period is crucial for shaping a kitten’s comfort with and attraction to people. Studies show that friendly handling and contact with humans during the first 2-7 weeks of a kitten’s life leads to less fearful behavior and greater attachment later on.
Kittens that receive positive human interaction like petting, cuddling, and play during this developmental stage tend to more readily bond with their human caretakers. On the other hand, kittens deprived of human contact as youngsters frequently struggle to form connections with people as adult cats. Their early experiences color their perceptions of humans going forward.
So while genetics play some role, a kitten’s early socialization largely impacts whether it will prefer the company of specific people later in life. Kittens that associate human touch with comfort and affection early on are more inclined to form meaningful bonds with their human caregivers.
Cats Bond Deeply with ‘Their Person’
Some cats do exhibit strong preferences for one particular person. They reserve their most affectionate behaviors like rubbing, kneading, and purring for that favored human. This special bond between a cat and its chosen person is sometimes referred to as “imprinting.” It likely arises from a combination of factors.
Kittens separated from their mothers very early tend to imprint more intensely on the first human they interact with regularly. Feeding time is another key opportunity for imprinting. Cats often feel closest to the person who reliably provides their meals. Additionally, the human who plays with a kitten frequently using toys and interactive play styles may find themselves the favorite. Gentle petting and positive routines further strengthen the bond.
Once a cat imprints, they continue seeking out their special person for attention and affection. Subtle cues like eye contact, purring, and kneading communicate the depth of the bond. While cats retain some ability to form new impressions, early imprinting results in preferences that can persist for life. For many cat lovers, being their cat’s chosen one is a unique privilege and joy.
Sources:
https://www.rover.com/blog/cats-choose-favorite-person/
https://blog.healthypawspetinsurance.com/why-do-cats-have-a-favorite-person
Conclusion
In summary, while cats are often considered independent animals, they do form deep bonds with people based on scent, feeding habits, play styles, routine, early socialization, and respect for their boundaries. They tend to choose a “favorite person” to receive the majority of their affection, likely the human with whom they imprinted as a kitten. However, cats are complex and can have meaningful connections with multiple members of a household when given care, attention, and understanding of their needs. The key is to build trust and positive associations through consistent, gentle care. While cats may display preferences, with time and patience, they can form lasting bonds with all who treat them well.
The most important takeaway is that by respecting a cat’s needs and earning their trust, we can develop wonderful relationships with these captivating, caring creatures. Though cats choose us, with care and compassion, we choose cats too.
