With Love, Cats Are More Like People Than Dogs

Cats do what pleases them and show affection to their owners on their own terms. Because of this, some say that cats are unattached, unaffectionate and unloving — as evidence, they won't even come when called.

Do Cats Form an Attachment?

Cats form strong attachment to their owners. There are many known cases where the owner had to leave, or died, and the cat showed signs of distress. Cats have been known to sit at the owner's bedroom door meowing. They go into hiding. They even refuse to eat. Some perfectly healthy cats have had such a strong attachment that they simply died after the loss of their owner, the only cause seeming to be a broken heart.

Is Unselfish Loyalty and Benevolent Concern for Others Part of a Cat's Love?

Loyalty and concern doesn't sound very cat-like. It's true that if you hurt a cat, she's going to run away. She won't come back to grovel and plead with you to love her as a dog may. Again, cats have boundaries and they are not terribly forgiving. But they are loyal, as shown by the long journeys many have taken to return home.

Cats Show Love Through Understanding

On a less dramatic note, many cat owners say that their cat knows when they are upset and will give comfort. Cats have even licked away tears. If cats truly cared only for themselves, they would stay away until the owner was more inclined to please her.

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