The hormonal effects of owner-cat interactions on pet cats of different potential attachment styles
4 affiliations
- 1Laboratory of Companion Animal Science, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
- 2Guangdong Cute Teeth Biotechnology, Guangzhou, China
- 3Department of Animal and Food Science, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, USA
- 4School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California-Davis, CA, USA
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.
Related
- Correlation of Plant Bioelectrical Signals with Potential Ionic Energy Flow under Different Stress
- Interactions between kidney proteins and metabolism in Tibetan sheep at different altitudes.
- Proposed Interactions and Crosstalk Among Biological Aging Biomarkers (Telomere Length, Telomerase, Sirtuins, mtDNA Copy Number and mtDNA Methylation Levels) and Their Potential Role in Colorectal Cancer Risk: A Review
- Interactions between thermal and nutritional stress reveal cryptic adaptive potential
- Unveiling the potential of two different lactococcal glutamate decarboxylase enzymes and their application for producing GABA-rich soy beverages
BibTeX
@article{he2026hormonal,
title = {{The hormonal effects of owner-cat interactions on pet cats of different potential attachment styles}},
author = {Xuanzhen He and Huiwen Huang and Hao Chang and Weijie Xu and Chuchen Gui and Jie Pan and Huan Yan and Yan Guo and Edgar Avilas-Rosa and Betty Yang and BaiChuan Deng and Lingna Zhang},
journal = {Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery},
year = {2026},
month = aug,
doi = {10.1177/1098612x261478281},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1177/1098612x261478281},
note = {CC BY-NC 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - The hormonal effects of owner-cat interactions on pet cats of different potential attachment styles
AU - Xuanzhen He
AU - Huiwen Huang
AU - Hao Chang
AU - Weijie Xu
AU - Chuchen Gui
AU - Jie Pan
AU - Huan Yan
AU - Yan Guo
AU - Edgar Avilas-Rosa
AU - Betty Yang
AU - BaiChuan Deng
AU - Lingna Zhang
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/08/05
JO - Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery
DO - 10.1177/1098612x261478281
UR - https://doi.org/10.1177/1098612x261478281
AB - 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.
SN - 1098-612X
SN - 1532-2750
ER -