Your Cat Might Tolerate Other Felines, But They Still Consider Them Outsiders

New research identifies hormones that might make cats more social. But oxytocin, the “hug hormone,” isn’t one of them.

By Jason P. Dinh
Jul 27, 2022 6:00 PMJul 27, 2022 6:01 PM
They live in the same space and form friendly relationships, but they might not be a tight group group-mate.
(Credit: Koyasu et al., CC-BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/))

Newsletter

Sign up for our email newsletter for the latest science news
 

Oxytocin forges social bonds. Affectionately called the “cuddle hormone,” it ties human mothers to their babies and dogs to their owners. But new research finds an unexpected trend in cats: Those with more oxytocin interact less with other felines.

“Cats may not consider other individuals living in the same space as tight relationship group-mates,” the authors say in a press release.

0 free articles left
Want More? Get unlimited access for as low as $1.99/month

Already a subscriber?

Register or Log In

0 free articlesSubscribe
Discover Magazine Logo
Want more?

Keep reading for as low as $1.99!

Subscribe

Already a subscriber?

Register or Log In

Stay Curious

Sign up for our weekly newsletter and unlock one more article for free.

 

View our Privacy Policy


Want more?
Keep reading for as low as $1.99!


Log In or Register

Already a subscriber?
Find my Subscription

More From Discover
Recommendations From Our Store
Shop Now
Stay Curious
Join
Our List

Sign up for our weekly science updates.

 
Subscribe
To The Magazine

Save up to 40% off the cover price when you subscribe to Discover magazine.

Copyright © 2024 Kalmbach Media Co.