FAQ of the Day: Are Cats Really Solitary Animals?
Q: I read a magazine article that was a debate between cat behaviorists over whether cats have the capacity to love humans. One expert claimed that cats are solitary animals and only seek human companionship to fill their physical needs. I really do feel a bond with my two cats, but am I just fooling myself?
A: I have read the same article, and yes, it is indeed an old debate. I have to agree with you that cats can and do express emotions and feelings, and that they are definitely capable of bonding with humans. While it is true that cats aren't "pack animals" as dogs are, they do establish "partnerships," often at an early age, both with other cats and with their humans. Incidentally, this has nothing to do with anthropomorphizing cats; they bond in a different way than...read the rest of my reply
Photo Credit: © Franny Syufy
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I am quite sure that my little U does not *need* to get under the covers with me, and knead me, for warmth. She has her brother, with whom she loves to cuddle and snuggle, she is not hungry, and she really isn’t cold. She just loves to be under the covers with me.
Oh I absolutely know in the deepest part of my brain and my heart that cats form bonds and feel love and sadness and depression and joy.
When Fancy and Pearly were adopted (litter sisters) they were best of friends even though we had other older cats. They had a bond. Then when Fancy died at 14 months of age, Pearly searched for her for 6 or 7 hours every day and then hid in a cupboard under the bathroom sink for the rest of the day and had no interest in any love or food or playtime, for the 6 weeks until we adopted GG to be her new friend.
She immediately perked up, VISIBLY, and started eating normally again, and playing and interacting with us, and she adopted GG as her own.
Pearly’s wailing cries, listlessness and lack of interest in food or anything else, were all an indication of a broken heart and a deep depression…her face even looked different…therefore the existence of deep emotions.
Every day, each of our cats has a routine activity or behavior they exhibit or perform that is an interaction with us, and it gives them pleasure and has nothing to do with our ability to feed them or keep them warm. They are buddies. They want to cuddle with US even though they have heated beds all over the house and full tummies. They are our companions and they all have habits and activities they enjoy participating in with us lowly human caretakers.
We have a lot to learn about unconditional and enduring love from our feline companions.
Anyone who says cats have no emotions and can’t form bonds of love and devotion just isn’t being observant.
There is no question that my cats each has a very deep bond of love with me. Yes, they manipulate me in order to get things they want, but they also both love to cuddle with me and play with me and groom me and knead on me.
A casual observer would certainly not think they are bonded with each other, since they are like spatty siblings and know how to push each other’s buttons. However, they like to nap a few feet apart, they check up on each other if they haven’t seen each other for awhile, and when I need to be gone they take comfort in each other. I have no doubt that if something happened to either one, the other would grieve.
Even if all of cats’ actions are solely for the their own sakes, they go about them in gentle, loving ways. That indicates love and companionship. Humans do things primarily for selfish reasons as well, but it doesn’t mean we don’t love and bond.
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What the heck are “choke collar training” and “hard lessons on obedience”? No wonder your cat is avoiding you. That’s not obedience, that’s fear.
I never criticize others, but your comment literally made my blood run cold.
I have 5 cats. Simba, who has been with me from his birth 14 years ago is “MY” cat. I have a heart condition and everytime I start to have problems Simba will not leave my side. Often times he knows when something is wrong before I do. He sleeps with me everynight and like a child he must be touching me with either his paws or his back against my back. I was put on a CPAP machine at night about a year ago, and I thought that with the mask on me and the noise from the air blowing through the tubing this would be the end of Simba sleeping with me. I was wrong, that first night I used the machine he jumped right up, pushed up beside me and went to sleep as always. Even my wife couldn’t believe it and I was just over joyed. I love all our cats & our 2 dogs, but Simba and I have a very special bond.
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Trolls will not be tolerated here.
I had 3 cats, age 21, 17, and 6, all gotten individually as kittens. They only barley tolerated each other - never really ‘liked’ each other. When the 21 year old passed - while we ‘liked’ to think she was missed, I don’t think she was. The 17 year got sick soon after, so we of course thought he was lonely - ended up cancer and we also lost him with 30 days after the 21 year old. The 6 year old became the HAPPIEST cat I have ever seen… for a couple of months.
Now we have adopted two kittens. While not litter mates, they were adopted together at about 3 months of age – had never seen each other before. They bonded very quickly (have been with us about 2 months). They certainly cannot stand to be apart. The times they have been separated due to vet visits or whatever – they are obviously very joyous to see each other again.
As for us humans.. I was/am very attached to ALL My kitties!!
Franny (or anybody else I guess!), what are Trolls? I’m assuming it’s someone whose comments you didn’t appreciate but I guess I’m not familiar with this term. Other than basic surfing I’m not the most internet-savvy person! Thanks and thanks also for the great, thought-provoking discussions! Jaimie
Hi Jaimie,
Sorry for the assumption that everyone would know what trolls are as related to the Internet.
Trolls are people who seek out popular places specifically to post outrageous remarks designed to shock, anger, and generally upset the flow of dialogue.
They sometimes run in packs to reinforce each other, and often assume multiple identities to “argue” back and forth with themselves. Like naughty children, trolls seek attention, and sometimes “bad” attention is better than none at all.
I know from personal experience that cats can develop deep bonds with humans. My Simba, who normally never slept with me, would lie in bed with me for hours when I went through a depression; he was there to comfort me. My Murray sleeps with me every night. He loves to cuddle and, when I sleep on my back, he will climb onto my stomach. He purrs when I pet him, and he follows me around the house to spend time with me and keep tabs on what I am doing. It’s about love, not food!