The bond that is created between a cat and its human guardian is something really special, as anyone who shares or has shared their life with one of these domestic felines will know. Although it is true that, as a general rule, cats do not have such a sociable and gregarious behavior as dogs or other mammals, they also develop a feeling of attachment to their human guardians and it is our responsibility to ensure that the relationship with our furry is he althy. and beneficial to both parties.
In this article on our site we look at what various studies say about the relationship between cats and humans and give you some advice on how to create and strengthen the bond with your cat. Do not miss it!
The bond between people and cats
Given cats' fame as solitary and independent animals, few studies have been carried out on the links generated between these domestic felines and human beings. However, the data we have today reveals that cats are by no means detached or unfriendly animals, as anyone who has lived with one or more of them can confirm, and thatcan establish very diverse bonds with humans s.
A study published in 2021 by scientists at the University of Lincoln (UK)[1] definedthree main types of relationships that can be established between cats and people depending, among other things, on the behavior shown by felines and the emotional involvement of their human guardians:
- According to this research, approximately a quarter of the people who live with one or more cats have an " open relationship" with them, that is to say, they care about their well-being but offer a lot of freedom to the animal, allowing it in most cases to have access to the outside of the home. Cats that have this type of relationship with their guardians are usually quite curious, sociable with strangers and affectionate with members of their family, although they are not too attached to them.
- For their part, another quarter of the population seems to have a low emotional involvement regarding the care of their cat or cats. These guardians spend little time playing or interacting with their animals, which, although they are usually friendly with them, are very independent and do not actively seek proximity or physical contact with humans.
- Finally, nearly half of the cat guardians in this study were found to have a "codependency" relationship with their furry, becoming very emotionally involved with them and spending most of the day with them. These cats show many affiliative behaviors toward their guardians, are more suspicious of strangers, and are more likely to experience stress or anxiety related to separation and loneliness.
How to bond with my cat?
As you have been able to verify, the relationship that is created between a cat and its guardian depends on several factors, among which the level of involvement of the human stands out, their way of behaving with the animal and the time and effort invested in its education and care, as well as the character of the cat, its genetic heritage and its previous experiences. For example, adopting an adult cat that has lived on the street and has had traumatic experiences with human beings is not the same as adopting a puppy that has spent its first weeks of life in a home with its mother and siblings.. Likewise, it is different to live with a Persian cat than with a sphynx or to be a person who spends many or few hours away from home.
If you want to create a good bond with your cat, the first thing you should do is inform yourself well about the animal that you are considering adopting or you already have at home: what are their physical and psychological needs? What kind of care does they need? What do you know about their past? The answer to these and many other questions will lay the foundation for a good relationship, but don't worry! A professional veterinarian or ethologist can help you with many of the questions that may arise.
Once you've done this, it's time to start building a positive bond with your furry. According to a study published in 2019 by Oregon State University[2], cats establish attachment relationships with their guardians very similar to those that babies generate towards their fathers. If the caretaker is involved in the welfare of the feline, understands and respects its language, covers all its physical, emotional and social needs, provides security and spends with it quality time, the cat will most likely develop a secure attachment to the guardian, enjoy his company and lean on him when he feels insecure. However, if the caretaker punishes or intimidates the cat, isolates him, overprotects him or does not respect his signals, the animal will most likely generate a type of insecure attachment, becoming anxious in social interactions and suffering from he alth and/or behavioral problems. behaviour.
How to strengthen the bond with my cat?
If a cat is part of your family and you want to improve the bond with him, here are some tips that can make your relationship stronger and you can enjoy each other more:
- Enrich their environment: Cats are very active and curious animals, so they need to play and freely explore their environment. Placing scratching posts, climbing towers, platforms from where they can see the street or providing interactive toys will help meet these needs and improve the well-being of your furry.
- Set aside time each day to do activities with your cat: to strengthen your relationship with your cat you should spend quality time with him. Observe him and determine what he likes to do with you the most. Playing together or relaxing and cuddling sessions can go a long way in improving your bond, some cats even enjoy learning tricks!
- Keep it clean: Cleanliness is a very important aspect for felines and, even if they wash themselves using their tongue, it is not in rather than from time to time you gently brush his hair or pass a damp cloth over his body while you give him a massage. Grooming sessions reaffirm the relationship and improve the bond between individuals. Similarly, it is very important that you keep your litter box always clean and in an area that is easily accessible to the feline.
- Avoid punishment: cats are very sensitive animals and an educational style based on threats and punishments is not only ineffective, but also seriously deteriorates the relationship between the animal and its guardian, generating fear and rejection in the former. If your cat has a behavior problem or you have doubts about how to communicate with it, a feline ethologist who works with an up-to-date and respectful methodology can lend you a hand.
- Take care of their physical he alth: in addition to meeting their psychological and emotional needs, it is essential that you keep your furry dog properly vaccinated, dewormed and that you offer quality food. Sometimes, unwanted behaviors, such as aggressiveness or rejection of the guardian, appear as a result of a physical ailment and not a problem in the relationship, so taking your cat to the vet if you observe any change in his behavior is essential.
Create a bond with your cat based on respect and you will have a faithful companion for life by your side. Now that you know how to strengthen your relationship, don't miss this other article: "How to know if your cat loves you?".
