As in the case of people, cats have preferences when it comes to maintaining social relations, for this reason, it is no surprise that they have a favorite person or more than one. But is that really true? Do cats prefer a person above all others? Or is it rather a myth?
AnimalWised have decided to review some of the most popular scientific studies on feline ethology to discover why cats like one person more than another, do not miss it, many details may surprise you.
Why do cats like one person more than another? What factors influence their decision?
Kittens, especially those who are at the full stage of socialization, do not perceive fear yet, thereby allowing them to socialise positively with all kinds of animals and people. If we add the loss of the mother figure and brothers to the equation, it is likely that your will feline look for a figure of support, which will continue to be used as a reference in their new home.
The interactions that the kitten has during the socialization process also explain this selective behaviour: cats that have been manipulated by several unknown people have less fear, but have a tendency to suffer from stress, to show a lack of playing behaviour and social behaviors. Meanwhile, kittens that have only interacted with one or a few people in their kitten stage, tend to be more skittish, but with a more positive social behavior with those whom they know and shows playful conducts frequently.
It is important to highlight that the quality of life and the behavior of the cat are directly influenced by the characteristics of the owner, such as sex, age, or care offered, so it is not surprising that those who spend more time on a cat are candidates to be their figure of reference and support.
Finally, note that the character of a cat is influenced by genetics, fears and learning, sometimes unconsciously, so not all cats create a special bond with a single person and may even not have a favorite.
Moreover, a recent study has proven that the relationship established between a cat and a person can be as complex as those created between two humans. The study showed that mutual attention and tactile interactions were the key to a bond between the two. The study also showed how women tend to have a higher number of tactile interactions than men, which means that it is more likely for a cat to have a woman as their favorite than a man.
Each cat has their own personality and like in all relationships, it’s about mutual understanding. This is why cats that are often skittish or shy tend to bond with the person who doesn’t smother them or corner them but makes them feel secure and comfortable.
How to know if I’m a cat’s favorite person?
There are many signs indicating that a cat loves you: kneading, Purring, licking, or sleeping with you are some of them, but there are many more. Even the naughty nibbles can be a way of expressing affection, even though we don’t really like them.
To know if you’re your cat’s favorite person you should analyze your relationship with them and the one they maintain with other people around them, this is the only way you will know if the signs of affection and attention calls are exclusively for you or if they show it equally to any person at home. But remember, if you’re not his favorite person (or do they don’t have on) this does not mean that your cat you does not love you.
When a cat chooses you …
Obviously, the different signs of affection of a cat tell us that they wants us, however, when they choose us, they will start to promote a much closer bond with us. It is no wonder that they dare to smell our mouth, sleep on our head, or jumps on our lap (even if it hurts), touches our face with their paws or sleeps on top of us. They are much more close and personal behaviors that undoubtedly indicate that we are their favorite person.
How to make a cat love you
Now that you know why cats like one person more than another, it’s time for you to work on your relationship with your cat, especially if you have discovered you are not their favorite. Take a look at these simple tips and follow them every single day, as you will need to be constant in order to bond with your cat and earn their trust:
- Be the one to feed the cat: As cats will be looking for a nurturer, the person that provides them with food and water will definitely be their favorite.
- Clean their litter box: As you know, cats are highly clean, which is why the person who makes sure everything is spick and span will also ear their favors.
- Play with them daily: One of the best way to create a bond with a cat is to spend time with them. Around 15 to 20 minutes play time per day will be enough for your cat to see you are their pal and will come to you for more fun. Just remember to to use your bare hands to play, or they may scratch you during game aggression.
- Positive reinforcement: Spend some time reinforcing those good attitudes your cat shows by stroking them or giving them snacks. Learn when to leave them alone and don’t smother them unless they are in an affectionate mood.
- The time they need for affection: We know how hard it is to find time in the day, but if your cat snuggles up to you, try to reciprocate when they are showing affection, at least for a while. You can even end the petting session with a small treat, to make sure they understand it is not ending due to a bad attitude.
Source: animalwised.com
