
So, this does stem from being the one who feeds them, but it goes deeper than that. In a study covered by NBC News, it was shown that cats are deeply devoted to their caregivers. Cats are capable of feeling emotions and bonds towards their caretakers. Many people claim that cats only like a hand to feed them. But should that really count against cat loyalty? Image Credit: Ekaterina Kolomeets, Shutterstock Do Cats Care About their Owners?Ĭats genuinely do care about their owners. This, of course, is just one study that outlines the differences in how we and our pets view the world. The study concluded that cats don’t have the same basic concepts for cognitive recognition as dogs do.

When both actors offered a piece of food to the cats, they didn’t show a preference for either, taking both offerings. This study compared interaction between their owners and two actors-one helpful, one not. This isn’t a sign of something being wrong-it’s just not the way a cat’s brain is built to respond.Ī study by Animal Behavior and Cognition shows us that cats don’t necessarily have the same instincts a dog does. Cats don’t seem to show a response when someone else is mean to their owners. It’s not that cats mean to be disloyal, it’s just that they aren’t wired the same way your dog is. Image Credit: Yuriy Seleznev, Shutterstock Cats & Cognitive Recognition They won’t paw at your spouse when you have a spat. But studies find that cats can be deeply devoted to their owners. They won’t attack a predator that’s out to get you. They are well-aware of who fills the food bowl and gives the chin rubs-and that’s where their loyalty lies.Īlso, cats don’t often show loyalty in the stereotypical sense. They show you loyalty in many ways, such as picking up on your emotions, rubbing against you, and showing you affection. These traits shouldn’t discredit their loyalty to their owners. They are fiercely independent creatures that need room to be themselves. They need to feel like they’re on your level, and you need to have permission to interact with them.Ĭats enjoy having boundaries set and doing things of their will. Like most things, cats dish out loyalty when they receive loyalty in return-consider it a mutually beneficial relationship.Ĭat relationships are very much based on consensual partnerships.

Cats are generally more independent, thinking more of you as an equal than an alpha.Ĭats can be loyal, with an emphasis on if it suits them. When we think of loyalty, we might think of someone who’s always at our beck and call.
