Despite the reputation of being independent and reserved, it is super common to find a cat that is needy and very attached to the owner out there. Of course, feline behavior varies greatly from pet to pet, but sometimes it is necessary to detach from the image of "cold" and "distant" that accompanies the species. Especially because it only takes a little time of living together to understand that there is, yes, a cat that is so affectionate and companionableas a dog.

But beware: an affectionate and attached cat is not always synonymous with a needy cat. The neediness is often related to a certain dependence that the animal creates on its humans. Want to better understand the behavior and why there is a cat very attached to the owner? See the explanations we have gathered below!

Needy and attached cat: research unravels feline behavior

Only those who have or have seen cats attached to their owner understand that the beliefs about these animals are far from being an absolute truth. In fact, felines are a real box of surprises: each one has a unique personality and behavior, but they are capable of transforming our lives. In fact, nowadays it is scientifically proven that a cat - needy or not - always develops a unique personality.a certain emotional attachment to their human family.

Research carried out by Oregon State University, in the United States, and published on the Current Biology website has shown that social relationships and socializing with humans are very significant for feline well-being.

The study, which aimed to delve deeper into these relationships between cats and their respective owners, was done as follows: first, the animals and their owners would stay in a room for about two minutes. Then, the owners would leave for another two minutes, leaving the cats completely alone in the room. Finally, the owners would return and stay for another two minutes.minutes with their cats.

As a conclusion, it could be seen that most cats adopted a safer behavior when they had their guardians around, feeling more freedom to explore the place or simply staying close to their human. When they were alone, the animals were more stressed, insecure, sad and shy (after all, the place was unknown). In other words, a cat attached to the owner and that is attached to the owner.feels safer in your company is completely normal.

How do you know if you have a needy cat?

When a cat is very dependent on its owner, it is very common to wonder if it is needy or something that is part of its personality. Well, the truth is that there are some ways to find out if it is, in fact, very dependent on you or if it simply likes to be close (which is not always a sign of dependence). Some signs that can be observed are:

1) Cat meowing becomes excessive when you are not around

2) It is a cat that asks for affection all the time and is always in your lap

3) He shows jealousy around other animals or people

4) Is always looking for a way to get your attention

5) The cat follows the owner through every room in the house

6) He wants to play all the time and do everything together with you

7) He is a cat who gets very sad when left alone

Oh, and remember: having cats attached to their owner is not a bad thing, but it is important to be careful so that they do not suffer from separation anxiety. This is a condition that requires attention, as it can greatly affect the animal's psychological and needs help.

Cat attached to the owner: know which breeds have this characteristic

Having an overly affectionate cat is not a problem at all! In fact, there are even some cat breeds that are considered more affectionate than others. If you're looking for an all-weather companion who has no problem being petted all the time (and even enjoys it), some breed options are:

• Persian cat
• Ragdoll
• Maine Coon

In addition to them, mongrel cats also tend to have a passionate personality and are full of love to offer, so it is worth considering this option as well.