Girl Dozing with Her Cat in Her Arms

About this drawing

A girl cuddling a cat is a picture of something researchers have only recently started to prove: cats form real bonds with their people. For years, they had a reputation for being aloof, as if they only hung around for the food. Newer studies paint a warmer picture.

In a 2019 study at Oregon State University, cats and their caregivers spent time in an unfamiliar room. After a short separation, most cats greeted their person and then went back to exploring calmly, a sign of what psychologists call secure attachment. It is similar to the pattern seen in dogs and human babies.

Then there is the slow blink. British researchers found that cats were more likely to approach a person who narrowed their eyes slowly, and that the cats often blinked back. Many owners think of it as a kitty smile. Choosing to sleep beside you is another big sign of trust, since a sleeping animal has its guard down.

Not every cat shows love in the same way. One may climb into your lap at every chance, while another prefers to sit across the room and keep you in sight. Both can be deeply attached. Respecting those differences helps, and so does a steady routine. Regular meals, daily playtime and calm handling teach a cat that it is safe in your home.

• girl
• cat
• cat bond
• cuddling