Popularly, there is a belief that cats are completely independent animals and that they do not feel the same unconditional love towards them as we do. This fact, without a doubt, generates a lot of discomfort for cat owners, since they are sure that their cats love them and they show it with the slightest gesture.
But is this true? If you are wondering if cats love their owners, you are in the right place, because in this article on our site we want to explain how cats love and how true are the rumors surrounding these.
Do cats have feelings?
The statement that cats feel love has several nuances to take into account, because although we do not doubt the immense affection that our pets show us, we must know how to distinguish our way of perceiving the world as our pets perceive it. What we do know very well is that cats create very strong bonds of attachment
But what is attachment? This concept was defined for the first time by the psychologist John Bowlby, and is understood as a bonding affective of great intensity and lasting (but variable over time). time), which is developed through the reciprocal interaction between two individuals and in which security, comfort and sustenance are provided.
Emotionally speaking, attachment arises when the individual perceives that they have a protective figure, which will be there unconditionally, like a mother to your child, be it a human, canine or feline relationship, among many other species. For this reason, it is not uncommon for your cat to seek refuge in you when he is sad, afraid or, in short, looking for a emotional support in you.
For more information, you can consult this other article on our site about Do cats have feelings?
Behavior of cats with their owners
Recently, a study was carried out at the University of Oregon to check if this phenomenon is true or if, on the contrary, it is just an “idealization” of those who love their kittens very much. Now, affirmatively, it has been empirically demonstrated that domestic cats form bonds with their owners and are similar to those that an infant forms with its parents.
It is not strange that this bond between cats and owners is created, because if we look at it coldly, attachment is actually a survival mechanismthat we have different species to cling emotionally to what promotes our survival. In other words, if a cat did not worry about her puppies and they did not feel insecure if their mother disappeared (and, therefore, they did not call her), it would be difficult for them to live without the food, protection and learning that she gives them unconditionally.
However, while in nature there is a process of detachment, in which when the puppies are ready at a maturational level, the mother begins to move away from them and forces them to become independent, when you adopt a cat this doesn't happen, because the owner becomes that protective figure without whom they couldn't survive, which is partly why cats miss their owners. In these circumstances, as your cat has associated you as something good, every time he sees you you generate a great sensation of trust and tranquility On the contrary and as was verified in the experiment, if you disappear from his side and leave him in a completely unknown space, he will feel terribly insecure and stressed, since he will have lost his secure base.
In addition, behind this behavior there is a hormone, which is responsible for both cats and humans feeling affection. We are talking about nothing more and nothing less than oxytocin, a substance secreted by the pituitary gland responsible for creating and maintaining friendship and attachment relationships.
This “love hormone” is responsible in many mammals for making us feel good when we are in company and interact with others of our same or different species. In this way, it is a key piece for affiliation with others, since stimulates and reinforces social behaviors, such as mutual grooming, playing, etc.
For more information, you can consult this other article on our site on How do I know if my cat trusts me?
How do I know if my cat loves me?
You probably adore your cat, but you may have wondered more than once if this love is reciprocal, since felines do not express their affection in the same way that we do, and they all have their own character, which can make it difficult to understand. Now, there is no doubt that if you are the one who provides food and security to your pussycat, he must love you a lot. Let's see what are the main signs that show that your cat loves you:
- Purrs when you approach and pet him.
- he stretches out and shows you his belly, which is his most vulnerable area
- he rubs against you, hitting you with his head, walking between your legs…
- he Gives you the prey he hunts
- He wants to play with you.
- Sleep near (or on top of) you.
- He stares at you.
- It licks you and gives you the occasional nibble.
- Raises its tail when it sees you.
- He meows you to be for him.
- Follows you everywhere.
If after reading a cat's signs of love you suspect that your cat doesn't love you, we recommend you read this other article on our site about My cat doesn't love me - Why and what to do.
