Cats can get an undeserved bad name. The old saying doesn’t mean “Cats are man’s greatest companion.” The endless memes and ‘grumpy Cat videos definitely contribute to the idea that cats are, for the most part, merely tolerant of our human existence.
Do cats really have a love for their humans? We have asked pet behavior expert Julie Posluns, ACAAB, and the owner of Cat School to put to rest certain kitty stereotypes that make us uncomfortable once and for all.
Do Your Cats Love You?
“Many users find it humorous to label cats as mysterious, independent animals that do not have the desire to be in line with human desires,” Posluns tells Daily Paws. “For instance cats were considered to be unhappy participants in numerous memes about quarantine due to the disturbance to their own time. Although they are intended to be humorous memes, they propagate the notion that cats don’t like human contact, something we know isn’t the case.” She also says that cats are extremely social and build strong relationships with their owners and appreciate constant and constant attention.
Is this a case of “cat love”? It’s a bit difficult to inquire with Fluffy directly and receive an answer that is definitive (wouldn’t that be amazing!). Many scientists are convinced that there is a yes. As much as we think it should be, at least.
For instance, two Professors Kristyn Vitale, and Monique Udell of The Human-Animal Interaction Laboratory at Oregon State University evaluated 100 cats to assess their feelings of affection for their humans. And the bond goes not just a food dispenser or a waste management authority. This 2018 study assessed the cat’s behavior when they were in a space with their human caregivers for a short period of time before going off on their own and then when they returned with their human caregivers.
When Vitale disclosed her findings to OPB and OPB, she stated “When the owner returns they’ll approach the owner and say hello to them. Then they’ll show this balance in the exploration of contact that is, they’ll occasionally return to the owner in order to get attention, then wander around the area, play with toys, then return back to their owner.” Utilizing a guide to psychological assessment called secured attachment the cats of the study showed roughly the same amount of affection as kids … and dogs!
“Cats tend to be more independent, in that they don’t require us to teach to utilize the litter box in like we do to housebreak puppies. But that doesn’t suggest that they don’t utilize us as a security source and they’re not attracted to humans,” Vitale stated in her OPB interview. “That’s the thing we’ve observed that most cats have their owners as a source of safety and count on them for their comfort.”
So, Posluns states that when cats feel secure at home and safe in their surroundings they are more ‘friendly and more sociable. “It is a satisfying opportunity to develop an intimate relationship with a cat, and observe them change from fearful to affectionate.” In their own way sweet, attentive, and even sly cat shows affection.
We were aware that they weren’t just making fun of us!
The Signs That Your Cat Loves You
Vitale observed during her study that cats do not just prefer to spend time with those who pay attention to them however, they also report that 50 percent of them in the event of a choice, prefer human interactions over their favorite food items or scent-related items as well as toys. This suggests that cats do love their owners a lot!
But how can you tell whether your cat is loving you? In the same way, if you keep in mind that every cat is unique the same way humans do, Posluns states that there are important indicators of a solid cat-human bond:
- Fast blinks: “Most cat enthusiasts are familiar with the way cats display slow blinks when they’re content and happy,” she says.
- Follow you all around: As long as your cat is feeling okay This is typically an indication that they are looking for attention or just enjoying the company of others.
- Headbands as well as close contact: “Contact may include the act of rubbing their body or head against their own or grabbing a person’s legs to draw interest,” she adds.
- A grin on your cheeks: Yes, it is true! Animals often communicate by saying “Hey Hey, hello How do you feel?” This way to each other It’s common for a loving and trusting cat to show their back as a way of communication.
- CuddlesYou could consider the lap-taking and biscuits being made as an indication that your cat is a lover and believes in the sharing of space as a treat.
Posluns says kitties are able to communicate with sophisticated signals for communication and that their postures of the tail as well as their poses, purrs, as well as diverse sounds reveal a huge quantity of their feelings. “Cats utilize a myriad of expressions of excitement when they are exuberant, and they may even beg people to come closer with trills or chirrups. These signals are a sign of positive emotions,” Posluns says. “If you’re trying to learn to communicate with your cat’s behavior more effectively, I suggest learning to interpret their body and their language.”
If your cat says hello to you, don’t hesitate to speak to them! In addition to spoiling them every single day, this kind of interaction helps you tell your cat that you love them.
Do cats feel love in the same way that humans do?
There’s no method to measure this in a scientific manner however, according to what the experts have learned about the behavior of cats certainly have methods of letting us know when they’re at ease or not.
“When cats are afraid of humans, it could be because they are afraid of humans due to an absence of socialization, or from a bad experience. It’s difficult to judge the sociability of dogs and cats since we don’t have the same socialization,” Posluns says. “Most puppies are exposed to people they don’t know when they’re young, such as during classes for puppies.” However, she says that the majority of kittens do not have much human interaction during their initial period of socialization. A cat that is less social needs more positive experiences to be comfortable with strangers.
As per Alley Cat Allies an advocacy cat program socialization is the time when a cat is “accustomed to and enjoys a relationship with humans. Socializing a cat is gradual acclimatization to human contact spaces, human space, as well as human scents, sights, and sounds. This process is affected by a variety of factors in cats’ lives and requires time and energy from caring humans.” Luckily, the organization offers an easy guide that explains the process of socialization.
As a responsible pet parent, Posluns says, practicing is also a good method to gain a better understanding of what your cat’s feelings are about certain things. For instance, If they like a particular snack but don’t like it in certain circumstances this could be a sign they’re uneasy within a certain setting.
6 Tips to Show Your Cat That You Love Your Cat, Too!
Building a stronger bond with your furry companion is extremely satisfying. It’s the reason you chose to share your life with such fascinating animals.
To help encourage more love for cats For more cat love, here’s what the Posluns team suggests:
- A strong bond is built in trust and trustworthiness. To build trust, allow your cat the choice to take part in every activity. For instance, instead of lifting your cat up and letting them sit on your lap, which they might not like learn to let them leap onto your lap so they can make contact with you.
- Make sure your cat is trained to be acquiescent to trimming nails as well as brushing so that you don’t get onto them or need to forcibly force them to.
- Do not use punishments like spray bottles since they end your bond.
- Cats require constant and positive interaction with humans. Enjoy your time engaging with your pet playing with toys as well as other games. As with dogs, cats possess the ability to smell, and looking for food, like in the form of a game feeder is enjoyable, as well.
- Cats are very responsive when they receive positively reinforced training. By teaching your cat techniques and tricks like sitting and “high fives” the engagement will improve the communication between you and your cat.
- If you own indoor cats, you should consider getting them to walk on leash and leash and harness to ensure they are safe to access the outdoors and you can have a great method of spending time with them.
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