Introduction
This article will explore the bonding and relationship behaviors of domestic cats. Cats are often perceived as aloof and independent, but research shows they do form strong attachments and relationships with their human owners. We’ll cover the ways cats bond with their owners, the different attachment styles they can form, their ability to maintain long-term bonds, and how territory loyalty plays a role. The grief cats display at the loss of an owner or companion cat also reveals the depth of their connections. Understanding cat bonding provides insight into their social needs and how best to foster rewarding human-feline relationships.
Bonding Behaviors
Cats show affection in various ways that may seem subtle to humans. Some key bonding behaviors cats exhibit include head bumping, grooming, and purring.
Head bumping, also known as bunting or headbutting, is when a cat gently rubs or taps another cat or human with their head. This deposits scent from glands around their mouth and face, marking the person or animal as familiar. Head bumping demonstrates trust, connection, and friendship (https://www.uk.sheba.com/blog/bonding-care/how-do-cats-show-affection).
Grooming involves licking their human’s hair or skin. It mimics the social bonding when cats lick each other’s fur. Grooming you stimulates pair bonding hormones and allows cats to pick up your scent (https://www.purina.co.uk/articles/cats/behaviour/understanding-cats/how-do-cats-show-affection).
Purring demonstrates contentment, pleasure, and comfort around someone. While cats sometimes purr when alone, they often purr during social interactions with humans or other cats as a bonding mechanism (https://www.thesprucepets.com/how-cats-show-love-553978).
Attachment Styles
Research has shown that like dogs and human babies, cats form attachment styles with their caregivers that fall into three main categories: secure, anxious, and avoidant. A 2019 study published in Current Biology found that 65% of cats form a secure attachment, while 35% form insecure attachments – anxious or avoidant.
Cats with a secure attachment feel safe and comforted by their owner. They see their owner as a secure base they can explore from and return to. These cats show distress when separated from their owner, but are quickly soothed upon reunion. Securely attached cats tend to be more sociable, outgoing, and relaxed overall.
Anxious cats show signs of separation anxiety when their owner leaves. They may meow frequently or wait anxiously by the door. Upon reunion, anxious cats often fail to settle down and continue displaying clingy, attention-seeking behaviors. Anxious attachment can develop if a cat’s needs were inconsistently met by past caregivers.
Avoidant cats show little distress when their owner leaves or returns. They seem aloof and disinterested in interaction. Avoidant attachment can stem from a lack of socialization or neglect from previous owners. While independent, these cats still form attachments; they simply conceal their reliance on their owner.
Understanding a cat’s attachment style allows owners to better meet their individual needs for social interaction, soothing, and support.
Long-Term Bonds
Cats can form lifelong attachments and bonds with their owners that last many years. According to research from Oregon State University, cats display secure attachment behaviors with their owners such as rubbing, sitting close, letting the owner hold them on their lap, and responding when called by name 1. These behaviors indicate a strong bond and that the cat feels safe and secure with its owner.
Once a cat has bonded with its owner, that connection typically lasts for life barring any major disruptions. A cat that is securely attached will wait at the door for its owner to return home, follow them around the house, and cuddle up close on the owner’s lap or bed. The strength of cats’ attachment shows in how much they rely on their owners for food, shelter, affection, and security. While cats do display some independence, their lifelong bonds with owners reveal just how attached they can become.
Territory Loyalty
Cats are very territorial animals and will go to great lengths to mark and defend their territory (The Guardian). They use scent as their primary means of recognizing intruders in their territory, whether it’s other cats, dogs, or even people (Quora). Cats mark their territory by rubbing their cheeks and bodies against objects, scratching, and spraying urine. These scent markers signal that the area belongs to that cat.
When an intruding cat enters their space, resident cats may react aggressively to defend their territory. They do this by stalking, chasing, and fighting the intruder. Neutered male cats are generally less territorial, but intact males will vigorously defend their turf from other males. Though cats are not pack animals like dogs, they can form colonies and agree to share an area peacefully through scent marking.
Grieving Behavior
Cats form strong bonds with their human and animal companions. When a companion is lost, cats will exhibit grieving behaviors as they adjust to the absence of their friend. Common signs of feline grief include searching for the missing companion, vocalizing more often, changes in appetite, and becoming more clingy and attentive to their remaining human family members.
When a feline companion passes away, the surviving cat may wander the house looking for them, returning frequently to spots the missing cat used to sleep or play. According to VCA Animal Hospitals, the surviving cat may wait by the door for their friend to return or stare out the window where they last saw them.1 This searching behavior may persist for several weeks as they struggle to understand where their companion has gone.
Vocalizing like frequent meowing or yowling is another sign of grief, especially in cats who lost a sibling or feline housemate. Cats may call out looking for their companion. Changes in appetite are also common – a grieving cat may eat less or even refuse food entirely. Withdrawing from normal activities like play and becoming more clingy to remaining family members are other potential indicators of mourning.
While difficult for pet owners to witness, grief is simply the process of cats coping with the loss of a loved one. With time and support, cats can adjust to the absence of a companion and return to their normal happy selves.
Ability to Remember
When it comes to facial recognition, cats have a strong long-term memory. Studies have shown that cats can remember faces for up to two years. Their facial recognition abilities are focused on people they have closely bonded with, like their owners (How much do cats remember?). Once a cat becomes familiar with a face, they are able to remember it long-term and recognize that person through visual cues.
In addition to faces, cats can also remember names long-term. Cats learn to respond to their own names and can remember the names of the people they are closest with. Saying a cat’s name gets their attention and calling out the names of family members often elicits a response or causes them to look around for the person. This demonstrates that cats have a strong memory for the names of their owners and other humans they frequently interact with.
When it comes to routine, cats have excellent long-term memory. They remember the routine for feedings, play time, and even when their human will be home from work. Cats like routine and repetition and any changes to their normal schedule are quickly noticed. The ability for cats to remember specifics like timing and sequence of daily events highlights their impressive long-term memory skills (Do Dogs and Cats Have Long-Term Memories?).
Benefits of Bonds
Studies have shown that owning a cat can be beneficial for human health and wellbeing in various ways. Cat owners tend to have lower stress levels and reduced anxiety, which can lead to better cardiovascular health and lower blood pressure (less risk of heart disease and stroke) [1]. Petting a cat releases oxytocin, the “love hormone,” bringing a sense of calm and comfort. Some research even suggests cats may help ward off allergies and asthma in children.
The companionship of a cat can also ease loneliness and isolation, providing comforting social support [2]. For elderly individuals and those living alone, cat ownership encourages social interaction and gives them motivation for self-care. Cats are relatively low maintenance pets, so they can suit many different lifestyles and schedules.
Fostering Strong Bonds
There are several effective ways to foster strong bonds with your cat. Consistent playtime is a great way to strengthen your connection. Set aside 10-15 minutes 1-2 times a day for interactive play with toys like wands, balls, and laser pointers. This allows your cat to engage in natural hunting behaviors while associating you with fun and positive attention.
Regularly treating your cat when they exhibit desired behaviors is another bonding technique. Offer treats when your cat seeks affection or plays gently with toys. This reinforces those actions. You can also use treats to teach commands like “sit” or “come.” Just be sure not to overfeed.
Establishing a predictable routine helps cats feel safe and secure. Feed them at the same times daily and have consistent wake/sleep schedules when possible. Make time for daily play and affection as well. Cats thrive on routine, which in turn strengthens the human-feline bond. For more tips, see this article on playtime and bonding.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the evidence shows that cats absolutely can and do form strong, lasting bonds and relationships with other cats, humans, and even other species. Their capacity for attachment, ability to recognize individuals, display of grieving behaviors, and tendencies to be territorial demonstrate that cats feel connections and loyalty. Nurturing these relationships through affection, mutual trust, and respecting feline social behaviors can lead to rewarding, lifelong bonds between cats and their loved ones. The implications are that cats should not be thought of as aloof or uncaring. Like many social mammals, they require bonds and attachments to thrive. Their devotion to those they love can persist for many years. Just as dogs are known for their inter-species bonds with people, so too can cats form unbreakable bonds. With increased understanding and accommodation of their social needs, cats can become loving companions.
