New Study Finds Cats Form Attachments at the Same Rate as Dogs

Kiss those cat stereotypes good-bye – according to a new report published in the journal Current Biology, “domestic cats bond with their humans much in the same way as dogs and children” IFLScience.com reports.

To test the attachment bonding behaviors of cats, researchers from Oregon State University observed 70 cats who entered into a new room and spent two minutes with their caregiver. The caregiver would then leave for two minutes, and then return to spend another two minutes with their furry friends. The team found that “much like humans and dogs, cats with secure attachment styles were less stressed and would explore the room in a healthy way when their owner returned.” Those with insecure attachment styles, on the other hand, would show signs of stress.

“Attachment is a biologically relevant behavior,” study author Kristyn Vitale said, noting that about 65 percent of cats exhibited secure attachment styles. “Our study indicates that when cats live in a state of dependency with a human, that attachment behavior is flexible and the majority of cats use humans as a source of comfort.”

The researchers went even further, attempting to see if these attachment bonds could be broken. To test this theory, over the course of six weeks, researchers conducted socialization training with cats and their owners. They ultimately found that once an attachment style had been established, that attachment style remained the norm.

Vitale says her and her team hope this will help determine what this means for cats and kittens living in shelters.