Oregon State Study Confirms Secure Attachment Bonds Between Cats and Caregivers

Empirical evidence from Oregon State University (OSU) challenges the long-held view that domestic cats are inherently independent and incapable of deep emotional connection with humans. A definitive study originating from OSU’s Human-Animal Interaction Lab has provided robust confirmation that the bond between cats and their human companions exhibits parallels to attachment patterns observed in canines and human infants.

The research, spearheaded by Kristyn Vitale, successfully applied established methodologies to a feline subject group for the first time, suggesting attachment is a biologically relevant behavior persisting through domestication. Investigators utilized the 'secure base test,' a protocol traditionally employed for human children and dogs, adapting it for feline subjects in an unfamiliar setting with their owner present. The findings indicated that a substantial majority of the cats demonstrated a 'secure attachment' style, with percentages ranging from 64.3% to 65% across different subject groups.

These securely attached cats consistently utilized their human caregivers as a reliable secure base from which to investigate and explore the novel environment, a key indicator of trust and comfort. During the experimental phase, which involved a brief separation followed by a reunion, the securely attached cats actively sought comfort from their owners upon their return, underscoring the human's role as a primary source of security during mild stress. In contrast, insecurely attached cats displayed stress indicators such as tail twitching or lip licking, manifesting as avoidance or excessive clinging, termed ambivalence.

The study examined both kittens and adult cats. Of 70 classifiable kittens, 64.3% were secure, closely mirroring the 65.8% secure attachment rate found in the 38 tested adult cats, a figure remarkably similar to the 65% secure attachment rate observed in human infants. The research team, which also included Monique Udell and Alexandra Behnke, published their detailed findings in the journal Current Biology. The investigators also explored the stability of these bonds, finding that once an attachment style is established, it remains relatively stable over time, even after a six-week socialization training intervention.

This scientific categorization of feline attachment styles provides a framework for understanding feline social behavior that mirrors established psychological patterns. The research suggests that while genetic predispositions influence an individual cat's temperament, the development of this trust is significantly shaped by consistent human interaction, thereby validating the reality of feline affection, even if its expression is often more nuanced than that of canines. The study’s implications extend to animal welfare, as the formation of these strong bonds can positively influence a cat's overall behavior and well-being.