The research showed that cats bond in a way that is very similar to infants, with most cats, like human infants, securely attached to their caregiver.
TIM SANDLE: ‘Cats have a reputation for being aloof and being willing to swap human hosts where food and shelter are involved. However, a new study suggests the socio-cognitive abilities of cats and the depth of their human attachments have been underestimated…
The new research considered human attachment behavior, as with an infant’s response to a reunion with their caregiver following a brief absence when in a novel environment. Human research shows that when a caregiver returns, secure infants will rapidly return to relaxed exploration; however, insecure individuals will engage in excessive clinging or avoidance behavior. Similar studies have been conducted on dogs. The researchers decided to run a similar study on cats…
The tests showed that cats bond in a way that is very similar to infants, with most cats, like human infants, securely attached to their caregiver. What the new research draws out, according to lead researcher Kristyn Vitale of Oregon State University, is that “the majority of cats are securely attached to their owner and use them as a source of security in a novel environment”.’ SOURCE…
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