Are Cats Really Solitary?

From Franny's Cats Blog

Question: Are Cats Really Solitary?

"I read a magazine article that was a debate between cat behaviorists over whether cats have the capacity to love humans. One expert claimed that cats are solitary animals and only seek human companionship to fill their physical needs. I really do feel a bond with my two cats, but am I just fooling myself?
Answer: I have read the same article, and yes, it is indeed an old debate. I have to agree with you that cats can and do express emotions and feelings, and that they are definitely capable of bonding with humans.

While it is true that cats aren't "pack animals" as dogs are, they do establish "partnerships," often at an early age, both with other cats and with their humans. Incidentally, this has nothing to do with anthromorphizing cats; they bond in a different way than humans . . . "

I like to include writings from other people when they relate well to the topic at hand. . . which today is cat behavior.

As I faced peculiar behavior in the early morning from one cat, clingy behavior from another in the middle of the day and angry behavior from the third neighbor cat... I was reflecting on their personalities and their emotions... such as they seem to be.

Our dear old cat is terrified of spiders. I learned that tonight. NOW he will not walk down the hall past the place where we saw and killed a large garden spider. What the darn garden spider was doing IN the house ON the interior wall is YET another tale, not to be told here. But... suffice to say, Smokey is still upset. And when Smokey is upset, Mother is too. So the night has YET to calm down for me.