The hormonal effects of owner-cat interactions on pet cats of different potential attachment styles.

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to investigate how different owner-cat interaction types influence stress and owner-bonding in pet cats with different potential attachment styles, using salivary cortisol and oxytocin as physiological indicators.

Methods: Twenty pet cats were classified into potential secure, insecure-anxious or insecure-avoidant attachment styles using the Secure Base Test. Owners engaged in four types of interactions with their cats at home on separate days. Saliva samples were collected before and after each interaction and analysed for cortisol and oxytocin concentrations. The effects of attachment style, interaction type and time on hormonal changes were examined.

Results: Significant interactive effects of potential attachment style and time, as well as interaction type and time, were observed for both cortisol and oxytocin. Passive interactions were associated with increased oxytocin and decreased cortisol, whereas forced interactions showed an opposite pattern. Secure cats exhibited more positive hormonal responses to human interactions compared with insecure cats, who showed increased cortisol or limited hormonal changes. Insecure cats also showed higher basal oxytocin levels than secure cats.

Conclusions and relevance: Human-cat interactions trigger changes in cortisol and oxytocin levels, depending on the interaction type and cat's attachment style. These findings highlight the importance of considering individual cat attachment differences when promoting appropriate interaction strategies to improve cat welfare and human-cat relationships.