Do cats really hate us?

Blue Persian Cat with grumpy face and yellow eyes looking at the camera
(Image credit: Kryssia Campos/Getty Images)

Cat owners may enjoy doting on their feline companions, but is this love reciprocated — or do cats actually dislike us? Unlike dogs which love us unconditionally, cats are often accused of using us to fulfill their needs and wouldn't care if we lived or died. But is this aloof and calculating stereotype fair? 

There is some truth in the accusations, as numerous studies have found evidence that cats (Felis catus) don't love us back in the same way dogs do, and will make us work for their affections. They do, however, appear to like us at least a little. 

In a 2015 study conducted for the BBC documentary "Cats v Dogs," neuroscientists sampled the saliva of 10 cats and dogs and found oxytocin hormone levels increased in both cats and dogs after being stroked. However, the amount of oxytocin, a love hormone used in social bonds, was much higher in dogs, increasing on average by 57.2% compared with just 12% in cats.

In a 2021 study, researchers explored the cat-human bond and found that aloof cat behavior was less common than they expected. "Cats form close emotional relationships with humans, yet little is actually known about this," study author Daniel Mills, animal behavioral specialist at the University of Lincoln, said in a statement at the time. "As with any complex social relationship, the type of cat-owner bond is a product of the dynamic between both individuals involved, along with their certain personality features."

The study authors surveyed 3,994 cat owners and identified five different cat and owner relationships to determine the emotional bond between them. The relationship was then assigned to one of the following: open relationship, remote association, casual relationship, co-dependence and friendship, with open relationship being the most detached relationship and friendship the closest bond. Results were fairly split, with about half showing emotional investment and the other having a more aloof relationship.

"I think there is an emotional bond between the cat and its owner, especially if we consider the large amount of time that they spend together. However, I am not sure that we can speak about attachment in the same way as with dogs and their owner, particularly for adult cats," lead author of the study and animal behavioral specialist at the University of Lincoln, Claire Ricci-Bonot, told Live Science.

The study found that felines can form social relationships with humans, but it is dependent on the emotional input from the owner, and whether the cats are given the level of independence they desire.

Cats dislike having attention forced on them and will become hostile to humans that do it.  (Image credit: Jan Hakan Dahlstrom/Getty Images)

A separate 2019 study also found evidence of a cat-owner bond — but noted that compared with dogs, it took greater effort from the owner to build this connection. An earlier 2008 study found that the blood pressure of cats increased when they encountered a human they had bonded with, suggesting that cat-owner relationships are significant. The increased heart rate was suggested to be the result of excitement or anticipation of a reward.

"The type of relationship that the cat and the owner have depends on the owner's level of emotional investment in the cat and the cat's sociability," Ricci-Bonot said. "But there are other factors which need to be considered such as the personalities of the cats as well as their socialization and how we house them (indoors/outdoors). Some cats might be able to form [a] very close bond with their owner, but every relationship is unique."

A 2021 study found cats gravitate towards humans that read their subtle behavioral cues and allow them choice and control in how much engagement they are given — cats dislike having attention forced on them and will become hostile or actively avoid humans that force interactions.

"The results demonstrate a clear preference amongst cats for a more 'hands off' approach to petting, which ultimately lets them call most of the shots," study author Lauran Finka, a cat behavior and welfare specialist in Nottingham Trent University said in a statement at the time. "Cats are not necessarily known for being overly expressive when it comes to communicating how they are feeling. This can often cause issues during petting because many cats may feel a little uncomfortable at times, but this isn't something that is always easy for us to pick up on."

Whereas dogs were the first animal to be domesticated at least 23,000 years ago during the Pleistocene epoch (2.6 million to 11,700 years ago), the domestication of cats was much later. Evidence suggests cats domesticated themselves about 10,000 years ago, having endeared themselves to farmers of ancient Anatolia by feasting on the rodents gobbling up their grain. 

Carys Matthews
Live Science Contributor

Carys Matthews is a freelance writer for Live Science and has a passion for the natural world. Most recently the group digital editor of BBC Wildlife and BBC Countryfile Magazine, she writes about the outdoors, nature and health and fitness. Prior to this she has worked for a number of sports and environmental titles in the U.K.

  • Rico
    Wow! A biggie not mentioned! Muscles are missing in cats to show emotion on their face. Not so for dogs.
    You can look at a dog's face & read it; dog looks happy, sad, yadda. A cat 's poker face does not allow humans to interpret a cat's emotions. Humans see the poker face, assumes as not caring for the caretaker, compared to a dog.

    Also, cats from evolution are solo hunters, and dogs were pack animals. A hierarchy for the pack leader was required, to maintain order. Please the alpha dog. Dog sees humans as masters or alpha. Cat from heredity hunts alone, not requiring Alpha male to maintain order within the pack. Comparing apples to oranges applies
    Reply
  • ManInBlack4Ever🖕
    Well, my 2 cats Adore my wife & i BUT if we dropped dead & they had BUCKETS of kibble they would STILL Choose to Eat on US ... Thats rite folks, our pets are just WAITING for us to Keel over so they can chew your Nose & lips off.. (soft parts first) obviously !! They cant bite TOO terribly Hard !! But this is a Fact, not an opinion.. look it up ! They prefer us over Real food hahaha
    Reply
  • Rico
    I'm glad you have two loving cats; sounds like a cat-friendly house. Like humans cats have different emotions and can be not friendly. The younger you get kitty, the less baggage they have. My adopted 3 yr old, hahas alot of baggage, can't toucher after a year. Using cat behaviorist etc. Bonding with humans is frightening to her.
    Reply
  • Cheryl88
    I love this thread! Not once in my life did I ever think about anything like this, yet it is so logical. Logical in how evolution can determine general “societal” cat and dog emotions. Love this for bringing it to my attention! Thank you!
    Reply
  • sven
    This seems rather obvious considering dogs are social pack animals and cats are more solitary.
    Reply
  • Rico
    sven said:
    This seems rather obvious considering dogs are social pack animals and cats are more solitary.
    yes obvious and known by many, but that connection is not made by some
    Reply
  • Rico
    Dogs very fast eaters, why in the pack a lot of competition, eat quick or be shoved away.

    Meow lacking pack comp for food, a fussy, slow eater.

    How about a little food in the bowl, won't eat, lots of food in the bowl Fido devours rapidly.
    Near empty bowl signals tough times save some food for later. Full bowl devour
    Reply
  • Cheryl88
    sven said:
    This seems rather obvious considering dogs are social pack animals and cats are more solitary.
    Yes, but knowing “what is” is one thing. Meanwhile knowing “why?”, that is the point of science.

    That dogs are social pack animals and that cats are more solitary is the obvious observation. Darwinism and evolution is the theory that begins to explain why. Exactly how is not so obvious.

    How can two apparently opposite behaviors (social and solitary) both promote survival of a species at the same time?
    Reply
  • Rico
    You need "what is" first to wonder 'why'. That is what science does!
    Hmm! The opposite, is to build from scratch, where some will say "what is"
    Reply
  • Cheryl88
    Cheryl88 said:
    Yes, Rico. Science begins with an observation. Then it proceeds with an hypothesis. Then comes tests to strengthen or disprove the hypothesis. If a hypothesis is strengthened enough, it graduates into a theory. All of this are the essential ingredients of science. But the goal is obtaining the theory or the explanation of why. That is the “touchdown” in science. And of course, you cannot get any touchdown without first hiking the ball, lol! So I totally agree with you.
    Reply