Introduction
Cats and their humans share a special bond, though it may seem different from the one between dogs and their owners. While dogs are known for being enthusiastic, excitable and overtly affectionate with people, cats have a reputation for being aloof and independent. However, this doesn’t mean that cats are emotionally distant or don’t enjoy interacting with their humans. Cats do enjoy and benefit from human attention, but not as much as dogs.
Though cats were originally domesticated to catch rodents around grain stores in ancient Egypt and other early civilizations, over time they began to bond with people and seek out their company and affection. Today’s housecats, descended from African wildcats, actively chose domestication because proximity to humans helped them survive and provided a safe environment to raise kittens.
While dogs crave near-constant interaction and playtime with their owners, cats are usually content with smaller doses of attention spaced throughout the day when they initiate it. Cats are capable of strong attachments to their owners but express their affection in different, subtler ways than dogs. Understanding feline behavior helps reveal the depth of cats’ bonds with their humans.
Cats Domesticated Themselves
Researchers believe that the domestication of cats occurred naturally over time (The Evolution of House Cats, Scientific American). As humans established early settlements and began to grow crops around 10,000 years ago, rodents and other small animals were attracted to the easy food source. Cats lived in proximity to these human settlements and naturally preyed on the rodents. Over time, cats realized that living near humans gave them access to plenty of prey. Humans also tolerated cats and may have appreciated their presence, as cats helped control the rodent population (The Natural History of Domestic Cats, Alley Cat Allies). This symbiotic relationship between humans and cats allowed cats to gradually become domesticated and adapt to living with humans.
Cats were not initially kept as pets for companionship. They coexisted with humans purely for their hunting services which kept rodents away from early settlements. It took thousands of years for the relationship between cats and humans to evolve into one of friendship, affection, and companionship. But the true domestication of cats required no artificial selection or breeding by humans. Cats essentially invited themselves into human society and adapted to it naturally over time.
Cats Show Affection Differently
Cats show affection in ways that are different from humans and dogs. Rather than seek constant physical touch and interaction, cats show affection through subtler physical gestures and vocalizations. Some key ways cats display love and fondness include:
Slow blinking. When a cat slowly blinks at you, it is a sign of trust and affection. Slow blinking mimics the unconcerned and calm facial expression of a bonded cat pair.[1]
Head bumping and rubbing. Cats have scent glands on their face and flanks. When a cat rubs its head or side against you, it is depositing pheromones onto you as a comforting scent-mark. This head bumping behavior also mimics their friendly greetings with other cats.[2]
Kneading and sucking. Many cats knead their paws on soft surfaces or owners as a sign of contentment, reminiscent of their nursing actions as kittens. Purring often accompanies kneading. Some cats may also gently suckle on clothing or skin.
Chirps and meows. While cats meow for various reasons, they often chirp happily or meow affectionately to their owners as a greeting or request for attention. These vocalizations are a communication of trust and bonding.
While less demanding of attention than dogs, cats absolutely show love and affection for their human companions. Understanding a cat’s subtle body language is key to recognizing their displays of fondness.
Cats Bond With Their Owners
Cats can form strong bonds and attachments to their human owners, even if their affection is expressed differently than dogs. Studies show that like dogs, cats can form secure and insecure attachments with their caretakers. Cats recognize their owners and family members and feel more relaxed and comfortable with familiar people they have bonded with.
Researchers have found that cats show signs of separation anxiety when their owner is away, vocalizing more frequently and showing signs of stress. When the owner returns, most cats will show signs of greeting behavior like rubbing, purring, and hopping on laps. This indicates cats feel a bond and affection for their human caretakers.
While cats express their affection differently than dogs, they nonetheless see their human families as their social group. With proper care, attention and respect, cats form strong lifelong bonds with their human owners. Their attachments may be subtler, but well cared for cats often become loving and loyal companions.
Petting Produces Positive Hormones
Research has shown that when humans pet cats, it releases the hormone oxytocin in both the human and the cat. Oxytocin is known as the “love hormone” or “cuddle chemical” and is associated with bonding, attachment, and positive emotions.
A 2021 study published in Hormones and Behavior found that when female participants interacted with cats by petting and holding them, their oxytocin levels significantly increased. The cats also experienced an oxytocin spike from the affectionate human contact (Johnson, 2021).
Oxytocin produces feelings of contentment, calmness, and connection in both cats and humans. Petting a cat can provide stress relief and comfort for the cat owner, while the cat enjoys the bonding time and physical affection. This oxytocin release helps strengthen the bond between cats and their human companions.
Cats Like Being Talked To
While cats may seem aloof at times, research shows that they actually enjoy and respond positively when their owners talk to them. A study from the University of Tokyo found that cats’ ears and heads moved more in response to human voices compared to non-voice noises like bells or whistles (https://www.hepper.com/do-cats-like-when-you-talk-to-them/). This indicates that cats recognize and pay attention when we speak to them.
Cats also seem to enjoy “baby talk” specifically. A study in Animal Cognition showed that cats reacted more positively when owners used high-pitched, affectionate baby talk compared to a normal speaking voice. Cats were more likely to approach and rub against owners using baby talk (https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/your-cats-can-tell-when-youre-speaking-to-them/). So go ahead and chat away with your feline friend – they are listening and appreciate the attention!
Cats Like to Be Near Their Owners
Cats often enjoy being close to their owners and will commonly follow them around the house. This behavior shows that a cat feels comfortable and secure with its owner. As social creatures, cats appreciate the companionship and interaction with their human families.
It is very common for cats to sleep next to or near their owners, whether it’s on the bed, sofa, or lap. According to one study published in Current Biology, over 50% of cats chose to sleep beside their owners at night, as opposed to a location away from them.1 This desire for closeness reflects the bond between a cat and its human.
In addition to sleeping nearby, cats will often follow their owners around from room to room. According to the ASPCA, this shows that your cat wants to spend time with you and enjoys your company.2 By being near you, your cat is expressing its affection.
So when your cat snuggles up next to you or trails behind you around the house, it is displaying signs that you are its chosen human and it wants to be close to you.
Cats Demand Less Constant Attention
Many cat owners are surprised to discover that cats need less constant attention than dogs. While dogs tend to crave ongoing interaction and playtime with their owners, cats are usually content with shorter, less frequent attention source. Cats are more independent and solitary in nature, so they do not rely on human interaction to the same degree as dogs. Cats can happily entertain themselves for hours at a time through activities like birdwatching, napping, and self-grooming. As long as their basic needs are met, such as food, water, clean litter box, and some daily play and affection, most cats do not need or want constant human supervision or interaction.
Cats form strong bonds with their owners, but they do not require endless ongoing attention and stimulation. In fact, cats can become overwhelmed or overstimulated if they receive too much direct attention from their owners. Cats prefer short bursts of high quality interaction, such as a 10-15 minute play session, followed by time to themselves. Overall, cats need less than half the direct human attention dogs require to thrive. So cat owners can relax knowing it’s perfectly normal and healthy for their feline friends to amuse themselves independently for hours while their humans are occupied or away.
Signs Your Cat Loves You
Cats show their affection in subtle, yet meaningful ways. Here are some of the biggest signs that your cat truly loves and cares about you:
Purring is one of the clearest signs of a happy, content cat. Cats often purr when being petted or sitting on their owner’s lap as a way to show affection. The vibrations and frequency of a cat’s purr have even been found to promote bone density and healing (https://rawznaturalpetfood.com/does-my-cat-love-me/).
Kneading or making “bread” with their paws is an instinct cats retain from kittenhood when kneading their mother to stimulate milk production. When directed at their owners, kneading is a sign of bonding, contentment, and feeling safe. Many cats will also purr while kneading further indicating happiness.
Slow blinking is a form of cat communication that expresses trust and affection. When your cat slowly blinks at you, it’s like a kitty kiss telling you they feel comfortable and safe around you. Slow blink back at your cat to return the sentiment.
Head bumping or bunting is when a cat rubs or lightly bumps their head against you. This deposits their scent and mixes it with yours, marking you as part of their family and territory. When a cat head bumps you frequently, it’s a sign they feel a close bond.
Conclusion
In summary, while cats may show affection differently than dogs, they do appreciate and bond with their human caretakers. Cats most likely domesticated themselves and have adapted to get their needs met by people. They show affection through actions like head-butting, purring, kneading, eye contact, and spending time close by. Cats form attachments to their owners that can last for many years. And activities like petting, talking, and playing produce feel-good hormones in cats and strengthen your bond. Though cats demand less constant attention than dogs, they still enjoy human interaction in their own way. So if your cat head-butts, purrs, or even slow blinks at you, it’s a good sign they love and feel comfortable with you.
