Source: PsyPost
A study published in Applied Animal Behaviour Science reveals that cats form different attachment styles—secure, anxious, or avoidant—which impact their behavior, stress levels, and oxytocin release. Researchers at South China Agricultural University analyzed 30 pet cats using a secure base test and home interaction observations. Securely attached cats engaged positively with their owners, while anxious cats sought constant proximity but were easily overwhelmed, and avoidant cats distanced themselves.
Oxytocin, a hormone linked to social bonding, increased after interaction in securely attached cats, decreased in anxious cats, and showed little change in avoidant cats. Cats with secure attachments also exhibited fewer behavioral problems, such as aggression or destructive actions. The study highlights the importance of positive, voluntary interactions in strengthening human-cat bonds. Researchers aim to further explore how human behavior influences feline attachment and whether nasal oxytocin could promote secure bonding. Future studies will expand on these findings with larger and more diverse samples.