Cats have long puzzled their human companions. While dogs wag their tails and offer slobbery kisses, cats often greet us with a cool stare and a flick of the tail. But does this mean they actually hate us? Science suggests the answer is more nuanced.
Love, Just Not Like Dogs Do
Unlike dogs, who have been bred over thousands of years to work alongside and please humans, cats remain semi-domesticated and fiercely independent. This difference plays a large role in how they express affection.
In a 2015 study conducted for the BBC documentary titled Cats v Dogs found that while both species release oxytocin—the so-called “love hormone”—after being petted, dogs produced five times more. Dog oxytocin levels rose by 57.2%, while cats showed only a 12% increase.
The Complexity of Cat-Human Bonds
Despite their aloof stereotype, cats can form strong emotional bonds with their humans. In a 2021 study led by animal behaviorist Daniel Mills from the University of Lincoln, researchers surveyed nearly 4,000 cat owners and categorized the cat-human relationship into five types:
- Open relationship
- Remote association
- Casual relationship
- Co-dependence
- Friendship
Surprisingly, about half of the relationships fell on the more emotionally involved end of the spectrum.
“Cats form close emotional relationships with humans, yet little is actually known about this,” said Mills. “The bond is dynamic and depends on both the owner’s and the cat’s personality.”
Emotional Investment Is Key
Claire Ricci-Bonot, a co-author of the study, told Live Science that while cats do develop emotional bonds, they differ from the attachment style seen in dogs.
“There is an emotional bond between cat and owner… but I’m not sure we can speak about attachment in the same way,” she explained. “It really depends on the owner’s emotional input and whether the cat is given the independence it wants.”
Another 2019 study echoed this, suggesting that building a strong cat-human bond takes more effort than with dogs.
Consent Matters to Cats
A 2021 study by cat behavior expert Lauran Finka revealed that cats prefer humans who respect their boundaries. Cats were more affectionate toward people who allowed them to initiate interaction, rather than forcing cuddles or petting.
“Cats clearly prefer a ‘hands-off’ approach that lets them call the shots,” Finka told Nottingham Trent University. “They don’t always show discomfort in ways humans can easily interpret, which can lead to unwanted interactions.”
Domestication: A Self-Driven Process
Unlike dogs, which were domesticated at least 23,000 years ago, cats domesticated themselves around 10,000 years ago by associating with farmers in ancient Anatolia. Drawn to granaries for their rodent populations, they slowly integrated into human life without direct breeding.
So, Do They Hate Us?
No—most cats don’t hate their humans. But they also don’t necessarily love us the way dogs do. What cats value is mutual respect, autonomy, and a comfortable environment. The deeper the owner’s emotional investment and the more the cat’s preferences are honored, the closer the bond.
“Every relationship is unique,” Ricci-Bonot said. “Some cats can form very close bonds with their owners, but it depends on the personalities and how we interact with them.”
The bottom line? Cats aren’t cold or unloving—they’re simply more selective and subtle in how they show affection. When humans respect their autonomy, offer a stable environment, and invest emotionally, cats often reciprocate in quiet but meaningful ways. While their loyalty might not look like a dog’s tail wag, it’s real—and, for many cat lovers, just as rewarding.
