Do cats or dogs love us?

Discussion in 'Science and Nature' started by BRZBoy, Apr 9, 2015.

  1. I have 2 great cats. If they were people you would think they were in love with me. Anywhere I am at they are as well. At my desk I have a chair next to mine and both are always there when I am at my computer. On the couch, on the floor you name it. They could be anywhere..I have heated cat beds for them but nope there right there along with me.
     
    When I go to bed there like I said endless spots but they sleep much to my wife's annoyance on my stomach, side, back, neck, legs. I have given up trying to stop them.
     
    So to me I think they love me but many if not over 50% of what I read from animal specialists and such say its a food thing.

     
  2. I think dismissing it as 'a food thing' would be a gross oversimplification.
     
  3. For starters there is no such thing as unconditional love.

    Love is created through bonding.

    Your children love you because you take good care of them. Your spouse loves you because you are you. They love all the things that made you.

    I would say your cats love is no different than a child's love


    -yuri
     
  4. #4 SlowMo, Apr 9, 2015
    Last edited by a moderator: Apr 9, 2015
    Yes. They not only possess a developed limbic system but exhibit the resulting functionality (i.e. emotions) under a variety of conditions. Even mice do. Do some research.
     
    Or, if you're still uncertain, go buy a copy of Virginia Morrell's Animal Wise or browse any modern textbook on neuroscience.
     
  5. If an animal specialist goes about animals as if they're operated by instincts and not emotions, then they're not a specialist.

    If you're bonded with your cats as said, it is an emotional connection.. love. Of course they're dependent on you, but I like to look at the love from animals to humans like the love humans give to gods. You're their everything.. so it is almost like you force them to love you, but at the same time, they love you.

    You could also be kicking out the pheromones. It's my theory that I am how I am with animals in part with pheromones. Most are species specific.. but there is plenty of interchangeability. Like when dogs get horny and worked up are a girl on her period.

    Plus, how would you prefer to keep warm? Snuggled up to your significant other or under a heated blanket? I had an ex who's family was like a crazy cat family.. they had almost 20 cats that came and went as they pleased. During the winter, I would take a nap on the couch and be covered in cats. Even the cats that didn't like each other tolerated each other while perched on me. They used to get so jealous about it too, the people that is. I figured that was not just chemicals, but my body heat since I am typically always abnormally warm.

    Although, cats are evil sociopaths.. so they might be playing us with intent.
     
  6.  
    One of my theories as well...why I have always had girl animals.
     
  7. Well of course they do, especially if they are loved.  Animals are sentient beings, you know.
     
    Do you feel various emotions?
     
  8. I have a once wild bird that clings to me like glue. Even when i get her fresh fruit she will opt for my shoulder.

    Another thing, love is not a specific 'thing' IMO. There is no point in any relationship when you can say 'i didnt love you 5min ago but i do now!' Its more of a degree. I would say animals can love but not in the same way or to the same degree that humans can.
     
  9. is that the pidgeon you nursed back to health? I saw you mention it a while back

    -yuri
     
  10. #10 waktoo, Apr 11, 2015
    Last edited: Apr 11, 2015
    Who doesn't like getting scratched, especially by a good scratcher?  [​IMG]
     
    I have two cats and a dog.  MFR's are always wanting attention.  I'm a good scratcher.
     
    We're all animals...
     
  11. Even reptiles are capable of altruism.  To assume advanced animals like dogs or cats lack altruism is scientifically moronic.
     
  12. I have two cream tabbies, male and female myself and the girlfriend has the same with an orange male.   They not only display strong behavior that can be construed as affection, like being glued to you and wanting to sleep with you, but they each seem to do it on an individual level.   Some like you only so much but the others seem to adore you.     Yours seem to very much like you.  Considering how easily cats are annoyed by everything and anything, for them to stay glued to you so much tells you how comfortable they are in your presence.

    Unless you are just carrying cold cuts in your pockets and feed them every 5 minutes. 
     
  13. They absolutely love us. As a matter of fact, when you bond with a cat or a dog, just as your brain releases Oxytocin to reinforce the bond, the animal's brain does the same thing. The process is the same down to the chemical released. 
     
  14. #15 Oni~, Apr 12, 2015
    Last edited by a moderator: Apr 12, 2015
    I've been thinking about something like this for a while, just never did the research.   Considering how many people are crazy about their pet(s),  how much chemical interaction is going on there?  Is it all just purely in our head or are external chemical factors involved? 
     
     
  15. I would think some/most of them do. 
     
    I've known some nasty cats in my day though. 
     
  16. I'm not sure if I follow what you are asking. Sorry. It's Stoney Sunday! The reason you love your pets though is the same reason that parents love their kids. Bonding is a benefit to societies, whether they are human or dog or cat, or dolphin, or bird, etc. Our brain releases chemicals to reinforce the behaviors. I guess it's in our heads, depending on how you want to look at it. Technically though, everything we feel is all in our heads. The only reason we do anything at all is the release of feel good chemicals i.e. Dopamine, Seratonin, Oxytocin, etc. Without these chemicals, nothing matters. Also, Cannabis, food, habits such as gambling to gardening,  and unmentionables, can mimic these chemicals, cause a release of the chemicals, block reuptake of the chemicals, etc. so it's all in our head really. I guess it just depends on how far down the rabbit hole you want to go, but everything that we repeat is simply our brain rewarding us for beneficial behavior. When it comes down to it, we are simply rats pressing a lever to get our reward.  
     
  17. My dog loves me, but my cat only likes me a lot. He won't commit to the relationship. He's a pussy.
     
  18. There must be 'someone else' on the side. Have you noticed the scent of another on your cat, or a second cellphone?
     

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