Cats can connect with people?

Cats have a reputation for being aloof and independent. But a study of the way domestic cats respond to their caregivers suggests that their socio-cognitive abilities and the depth of their human attachments have been underestimated.

The findings reported in the journal Current Biology on September 23 show that, much like children and dogs, pet cats from secure and insecure bonds with their human caretakers. The findings suggest that this bonding ability across species must be explained by traits that are not spesific to canines, the researchers say.

"Like dogs, cats display social flexibility in regard to their attachments with humans", said Krystin Vitale of Oregon State University. "The majority of cats are securely attached to their owner and use them as a source of security in a novel environment."

One revealing way to study human attachment behavior is to observe an infants response to a reunion with their caregiver following a brief absence in a novel environment. When a caregiver returns, secure infants quickly return to relaxed exploration while insecure individuals engage in excessive clinging or avoidance behavior.