Our relationships with our animal friends have evolved over time. Once upon a time, we thought of cats as mere mousetraps, but since then, we have welcomed them into our homes and lives. Perhaps this relationship is fated, since we share 90% of our DNA with felines.1 They modified their vocal repertoire to include calls not normally heard in animals in the wild.
Evidence exists for speech recognition and emotion recognition.2 but, There is nothing sexual about a cat’s love for its caretaker. Humans feel secure in pets they recognize. After all, they depend on us for food, water, and shelter. Still, that doesn’t mean they’re sexually attracted to us.
The bond between humans and cats
Research suggests that ancient Egyptians changed our relationship with cats, with evidence showing that cats had a place in the home alongside humans.3 But we’re still talking about the owner and pet, or the bond, not the sexual thing. Undoubtedly, its role as a mousetrap in ancient Egypt was just as present when it was first domesticated, but the difference was probably the building of affection between humans and cats.
Reproductive behavior in cats
Of course, humans associate sexual attraction with reproduction. There we find the strongest evidence that cats are not attracted to humans in that way. Our pets are deeply connected to their wild roots. Domestication has changed only 13 genes in cats, resulting in longer daylight hours and a breeding season from mid-January to mid-October.4 This is probably related to having offspring when food is plentiful. Cats who live indoors are exposed to artificial light, so they can cycle at any time of the year.
Females go into heat, or heat cycles, on average every 21 days. During this period, cats meow to attract potential mates, while males search for receptive females. They are polygynous, meaning that females and males have multiple mates, so bonds do not exist. Another biological factor is that felines induced ovulation. The act of mating causes ovulation, so the female is more likely to become pregnant.
Cats embody the theory that mating and reproduction have only biological purposes. After mating has taken place, the male provides no parental investment in his offspring or affection to the female. Only the mother takes care of the child. Animal mating systems are living proof of that claim. Pair bonding in felines is not a normal sexual relationship between adult cats.
signs of affection
Cats that are attached to their caregivers are often very expressive. You might get a foot rub or a headbutt. They may purr when you hug or knead them. Interestingly, some of these behaviors are the same as those between mother cats and kittens. They point out the love and affection that exists in these relationships.
You may be wondering what your cat really thinks about you. You can make some guesses based on your cat’s body language. When a kitten rubs your leg, it’s a sign of affection. This behavior is thought to mark humans as part of the colony by scent.
The fact that your pet is having this physical contact with you is proof of their love. After all, they won’t interact with other animals if they don’t think they’re friendly. Again, it’s not sexual, it’s an acknowledgment of their attachment.
The role of oxytocin
Research on the hormone oxytocin provides additional insight. The body releases this compound during pleasurable interactions that often involve trust and intimate maternal care. It can also reduce circulating stress hormones in humans and non-humans. Oxytocin is also associated with sex, but it plays a role in non-sexual affection as well.
Although research has its limitations, A study was found This means that human-animal interactions can increase oxytocin release in dogs and humans. and, found in another study Humans can release oxytocin when they interact with cats. It is not unreasonable to hypothesize that the same effects could occur in cats. scientists have already discovered This means that felines may be just as effective as canines as therapy animals. The effects of oxytocin may explain the mechanism of how it happens and further our understanding of how cats show affection.
final thoughts
Science has shed new light on cats and their behavior. Research has proven ample evidence that felines form bonds with their owners and express this physically and vocally. But sexual attraction is not part of that combination, nor is mating. In cats, mating occurs for the biological purpose of producing kittens, and cats do not usually form strong bonds with their mates. Nevertheless, love and affection are part of the vocabulary to describe our relationships with our pets.
Featured image credit: larisa Stefanjuk, Shutterstock
