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(The Conversation) — Even the most devoted cat owners wonder at some point, perhaps waking up in a cold sweat in the middle of the night, if their cat really loves them. Dog lovers like to smugly point to the dog’s long history as mankind’s best friend.
Research shows that cats don’t fully deserve their reputation as cold and aloof pets. Credit: Adobe Stock
Due to their evolutionary ancestry, domestic cats are naturally more independent than dogs. The wild ancestors of our cats did not live in social groups like canines. However, during the domestication process, cats developed the ability to establish social relationships not only with other cats, but also with people.
Although they don’t depend on people for security like dogs do, many cats show affection towards their guardians and seem to value the company of their human companions highly. His attachment to humans is partly influenced by the experience of being manipulated by people when they were little.
Cats behave towards humans in the same way they respond to their feline friends, so the secret to your cat bonding with you lies in their behavior.
These four signs show that your beloved pet really cares.
The ability to communicate with other cats over long distances and when they are no longer physically present was an advantage to their wild ancestors. Our domestic cats have retained this “supersense” and rely heavily on this communication way.
They “mark” you with their scent
In particular, cats use scent to identify those members of your social group or family, sharing a group olfactory profile. Cats have scent glands on their sides, heads, and around their ears, and they often rub once morest each other. familiar people and objects and comforting.
Does your cat rub its head or side once morest your legs? The soft sensation you feel once morest your calves is actually your cat identifies you as a friend and it’s a great compliment.
See how he greets you
One of the most obvious signs that your beloved pet cares for you is the way he greets you. When cats greet members of their social group, they show signs that indicate friendship and a desire to get closer. Cats also show these signals to humans.
A tail held upright on a pole shows a friendly intent (the feline equivalent of a greeting), indicating familiarity, trust and affection. Some cats also use their question mark tails to greet someone they like or to indicate that they want to play.
Sometimes the cats intertwine their tails as a sign of friendshipand the human equivalent is encircle the calf with its tail.
Rolling over and exposing her vulnerable underbelly is another gesture that indicates a cat fully trusts you.
However, cats prefer to be petted on the head and neck area, so this is not usually a request for a belly rub. Attempts to stroke a cat’s belly often produce a hasty retreat, or even a claw.
The squeak or trill greeting is a melodious sound that cats make when greeting favorite people. Therefore, if your cat sings to you in this way, rest assured that he will be happy to see you.
That familiar feeling when your cat hits the back of your knee can also be a sign that she feels a very close bond with you. The feline version of a high five, the headbutt, is usually reserved for a cat’s closest feline friends and most trusted humans.
Your cat might also be secretly signaling her affection in the way she looks at you, writes Emily Blackwell.
Adobe Stock
Watch your blinks
Your cat might also be secretly signaling her affection in the way she looks at you. When cats meet strangers or other cats they don’t know, they often greet them with an unblinking stare.
But they are more likely to slow blink with cats they have a good relationship with.
Research suggests that slow blinks are associated with a positive emotional state and may be a trust sign, satisfaction and affection, similar to a human smile. If you want to return the compliment, blink and your cat might blink back. It’s a good way to bond with your cat if he doesn’t like to be touched.
Are getting closer
Cats are very protective of their personal space and they don’t like unwanted guests invading it. If a cat allows you to get close to him, that suggests a close bond, especially if the contact is frequent or long-lasting.
Curling up on your lap for a nap is a sign of deep trust. Grooming only happens between cats with a very close relationship, so licking your hand or face can be a sign of affection, even if those stabbing tongues aren’t as gentle.
— Emily Blackwell is Senior Lecturer in Animal Behavior and Welfare at the University of Bristol. Blackwell receives funding from Cats Protection and the Waltham Petcare Science Institute.
Published under a Creative Commons license from The Conversation.
