A new study talked about how having a cat in the house can feel a lot like having a partner around and it explained that people get a real emotional boost from pets. It said cats look for interaction and remember when someone has been kind to them.
That kindness makes them want to give that back later, so the bond slowly builds. The people behind the study also said cats create emotional connections that feel real and strong.
Researchers said: “Cats actively seek out interactions with humans and have the capacity to recall moments of kindness” and they added that this helps explain why cats often show what looks like gratitude.
The old idea that dogs are the only affectionate ones was pushed back on in the report. It said cats can be just as loving and many women especially feel that closeness because cats use these strange vocal sounds that mix a purr and a kind of howl that reminds people of a baby crying, which makes us respond fast.
That sound pulls at a natural instinct to help, so we find it hard to ignore what they want and it can feel like they have us wrapped around their little paws.
The study said this kind of behavior shows how socially intelligent cats have become over time and how they use it to build a connection that feels pretty close to having a partner around.
