Does my cat love me?
Many believe dogs are man’s best friend while cats are aloof. Despite common stereotypes and your cat’s facade of being an independent lioness, cats are actually strongly bonded to their human caregivers. According to a recent study, humans have been underestimating the secure attachments our feline friends form with us. Believe it or not, a cat’s love goes far beyond the food you put in their bowl. Let’s know how your cat shows love.
While it’s nearly impossible to know who loves who more in any relationship, a sharp swipe from your cat might have you wondering do my cat shows love to me as much as I love them?
To test the existence of a secure bond between a cat and caretaker, researchers placed a kitty and its owner in an unfamiliar room for two minutes. The researchers found that when reunited with their human companion, cats greeted their owner and then continued to explore. The researchers believe this is a clear sign that the cat in question experienced a decrease in stress and an increase in the feeling of safety when seeing its owner. Or, it could have proven that cats have a secure, loving attachment with their human counterpart.
You don’t need to be put in the middle of a scientific experiment to see the signs that your cats love you just as much as you love them. Here are five ways your cat might show you it cares.
Sleeping where your scent is greatest
While your cat might not be cuddling up with you in bed, you might notice that (s)he prefers a pile of your laundry or a favorite blanket. It’s in these places that your scent is the greatest and that they feel the most comfortable.
The slow blink
“I love you” isn’t always said in words. Instead, it can be a loving gaze or a twinkle in the eye. For cats, it’s a slow blink. While cats sleep an incredible 12-plus hours a day, a slow blink isn’t a sign of sleepiness. The slow blink is your cat telling you that they trust you and their guard is down.
Headbutts, rubs, and biscuits
Did you know that cats have scent glands in their cheeks, lips, forehead, paw pads, tails, and a few other places? These scent glands release chemicals called pheromones, which mark a cat’s territory and helps to communicate and bond with other cats or humans. Every time your cat rubs against you or headbutts you, it’s their way of rubbing their scent on you, marking you as theirs!
The effects of COVID-19
During the coronavirus pandemic, pet owners are spending more time with their pets. That means owners have had more time to bond with their four-legged companions — at least when they’re not trying to photobomb our work Zoom calls. Owners and their pets have become accustomed to this constant companionship, spiking the likelihood that you and/or your pet will experience separation anxiety.