Twitter Thread: Study Finds Cats Are Just As Affectionate As Dogs

Calling all cat lovers! The results of a new study were recently published, and the topic: Are cats as affectionate dogs are. The results may surprise you, or they might not, if you're a diehard and super dedicated cat lover. Essentially, the findings said that cats have the same attachment styles as dogs and babies.

The internet was in a tizzy over these cat-related research findings. While some Twitter users questioned the accuracy of the study, many provided anecdotal evidence that supported the findings of the study. In short, cat owners looove their pawfectly cute kitties and kittens, and they have a lot of pawmazing stories to confirm just how heckin' cuddly and affectionate their pets can really be. 

Author image for Ellie Dunn Ellie Dunn
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    Cat - Inside Edition INSIDE EDITION @InsideEdition A new study shows that cats may be just as affectionate as dogs. The study, which was published in Current Biology, found that pet cats also have distinct attachment styles toward their owners in the same way dogs and babies do. insideedition.com Cats Have Attachment Styles Just Like Babies and Dogs, New Study Finds The study paired cats with their owners to test their attachment styles.
    via @InsideEdition

    Anyone who's had a pet cat before knows that they are special creatures, but it turns out they ight not be as different from dogs or babies as people like to believe. Let's read onward to find out what the findings from the study say in greater detail. 

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    Cat - Inside Edition ... INSIDE EDITION @InsideEdition 1/5 The research, which was done by a team at Oregon State University, also found that 64 percent of cats showed what is known as a "secure" attachment style.
    via @InsideEdition

    Ah, University of Oregon, cool! When we read about research like this we think about our own cats and how they have definitely formed a secure attachment. The statistic of 64% is also super interesting, that seems to be a pretty high number.  

  • 03
    Cat - Inside Edition ... INSIDE Don @InsideEdition 2/5 What does that mean? These cats showed no signs of distress when their caregivers left the room and a healthy mix of attachment and exploration when they returned.
    via @InsideEdition
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    Brown - Inside Edition INSIDE EDITION @InsideEdition 3/5 The other percentage, around 35, showed insecure attachment, which means they were stressed until their owners returned, and when they did return, they showed a mix of excessive contact, avoidant behavior or disorganized behavior.
    via @InsideEdition
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    Cat - Inside Edition ... INSIDE CDITION @InsideEdition 4/5 The team examined 70 kittens and 38 cats for the study, and placed the cats in a room with the owner for two minutes before removing them for the same amount of time. They then examined the cats' behavior in order to categorize them.
    via @InsideEdition
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    Cat - Inside Edition @InsideEdition INSIDE EDITION 5/5 Similar studies have been performed on primates and dogs. For Inside Edition's full article: insideedition.com Cats Have Attachment Styles Just Like Babies and Dogs, New Study Finds The study paired cats with their owners to test their attachment styles.
    via @InsideEdition
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    In response to the study, Twitter users had a lot to say...

    Product - TinaMarie C (Mom, Music Animals ... @LarrabeeNed Replying to @InsideEdition Cats get attached Really? Out cat Thomas has to sleep every night w my boyfriend. He adopted us Plus we have 2 more
    via @LarrabeeNed
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    Font - blondetwit @blondetwit Replying to @lnsideEdition OFFS. I'm a behaviorist, for more than 30 years. There are no new revelations here. *eyeroll*
    via @blondetwit
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    Font - Autumn Witch E @Dragon_Age_Fans ... Replying to @InsideEdition Why did they waste money on a study that was so obviously unneeded? Anyone who has ever been blessed to share their life with a cat knows the bonds between them are as solid as bonds with other humans or sometimes stronger. Sheeeshh.
    via @Dragon_Age_Fans
  • 10
    Font - will-o'-the-wisp @willoth37066356 Replying to @InsideEdition Cats are just kids in fur coats. Feed 'em, play w 'em, love 'em & they will respond in kind. They understand us; we learn some of their language in time. And like kids, they will even mouth off when irked. Personalities vary. I couldn't live w/o at least one.
    via @willoth37066356
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    Cat - Tendraftsdeep @Tendraftsdeep ... Replying to @InsideEdition My Princess Meows passed away in April. She used to softly paw my face, stand on 2 feet when I walked around, sit in my lap and actually hug me.
    via @Tendraftsdeep
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    Font - DrFran @DrFran Replying to @InsideEdition Anyone who has ever been graced by a cat knows this. My cats are attached to me in healthy ways. They like when I am around, and if I don't go away for long periods, they are OK with me being away.
    via @DrFran
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    Cat - Francesca ... @francescahulm Replying to @InsideEdition Tell me this isn't the face of love.
    via @francescahulm

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