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Old September 11th 15, 06:38 PM posted to rec.pets.cats.anecdotes
jmcquown[_2_]
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Default Your cat doesn't love you: science

On 9/11/2015 12:59 PM, Christina Websell wrote:
"Judith Latham" wrote in message
...
In article , Christina Websell
wrote:

"J" wrote in message
...

http://news.nationalpost.com/news/wo...ve-you-science


Rudyard Kipling was right. Cats really do walk by themselves, and do
not need their owners to feel secure and safe, a study has shown.
Although absent owners might worry that their pet is pining, in fact,
cats show no sign of separation anxiety.



Let's just say that Boyfriend prefers me to stay at home with him and is
delighted when I come home, whether I've been out for a couple of hours
on a shopping trip or away for the day like last week. Whether this
means he *loves* me, I don't know. I do know he is very attached to me
and no-one else. No matter how many weeks he's been fed by other people
e.g. when I've been in hospital, once I am home he becomes afraid of
them again. He sees Claire at least twice a week, she was here 3 times a
day looking after me last year but he wants to go out the minute she
visits. Luckily she is not offended, she's Tigger's meowmie. I don't
know if animals experience love for humans in the human sense of it. I
do know that Boyfie only wants *me* to be with him. Is that love?
Maybe he is just used to me and feels safe with me. I love *him*
anyway..


Tweed


I'm sure my cats have loved me, and that Sootie does. I don't think I'm
deluding myself, their behaviour and desire to be with me, for me to show
them affection when they could be doing other things they like etc. They
just don't like to show it as dogs show it and you do have to earn it with
a cat.

Judith

But is it *love*? The scientific part of me says it's more likely that
cats just want to be fed and have a comfy bed inside when it's cold or
raining and will do what they have to to achieve it. My heart says that
Boyfie loves me.

Tweed




Does it really matter? We love them. They cuddle with us so they must
get something out of the deal.

Jill