Domestic cats form a bond with their owner similar to the bond that children and dogs form with their caregivers. This is the conclusion reached by an investigation from Oregon State University (United States).
Furthermore, it is the first time that a group of researchers has empirically demonstrated that cats show the same attachment patterns as babies and dogs. The results of the study have been published in the journal Current Biology .
Attachment in cats
As scientists argue, attachment is a very relevant behavior on a biological level, since it indicates whether cats live in a state of dependence on a human. Additionally, such attachment behavior can be flexible, as noted by Kristyn Vitale, the study’s lead author.
In the research, the group of scientists had the cats participate in a test in which attachment behavior was studied. During this test, the cat spends two minutes in a room with its caregiver, followed by a two-minute alone phase, and then a two-minute gathering phase.
When the caregiver returns from the two-minute absence, attached cats are less stressed and balance their attention between the person and their environment. For example, they continue to explore the room. On the other hand, cats with less attachment show signs of stress such as wagging their tail or staying away from the person or, on the contrary, they cling to it by jumping on their lap and without moving.
Results of the investigation
The research concluded that 65.8% of the cats who had taken the test felt safe with their caregiver, compared to 34.2% who were unsafe. This secure attachment ratio, according to Kristyn Vitale, matches the human child population. Well, in humans, 65% of babies are safely attached to their caregiver.
On the other hand, as Vitale argues, cats that are insecure are likely to run and hide, or even act aloof. However, there has long been a biased way of thinking that all cats behave in this way, when most cats use their owner as a source of safety.
Thus, it has been scientifically proven that cats depend on their owners to feel safe when they are stressed.
