As someone who was always essentially a dog person, I came late to the business of cat guardianship. I’d been led to believe that cats are aloof, independent and see humans only as a convenient purveyor of food. Imagine my surprise when I found out, first hand, that cats are every bit as affectionate, obedient and friendly as dogs.

Any cat owner will tell you that cats build loving bonds with those close to them. This could be their owner or other humans in the household. But, just as often, their circle will include other cats and even dogs. Despite the fabled feline vs. canine rivalry, stories abound of close friendships between cats and dogs. Often, a cat will pick out a particular person to bond with. They’ll follow that person around, rub against them, curl up in their lap when they can, and speak to them in meows, purrs and trills.

Why they form this fixation is a mystery. Perhaps the person in question pays the cat special attention, although just as often, the object of the cats affection is someone who claims not to like cats. Who knows, maybe cats are able to read a person’s aura, as new age thinkers sometimes suggest.

But cats don’t always confine their affections to a single individual. All three of our cats are crazy about our little terrier mix. They can often be found following him around, curling up with him or giving him a jolly good grooming.

They also love our golden Labrador, who actually encourages them to groom him. One of our cats is extremely vocal and enjoys having long conversations (sometimes with himself!). He is deaf, but has learned to respond to hand signals. Give him the sign, and he comes running.

Some cat breeds, including the Abyssinian, Persian and Siamese are know to be extremely affectionate. These cats develop strong bonds with their owners and, if left alone for extended periods, are prone to separation anxiety.

So how do you build up a bond with your cat? The key is to treat your cat fairly. Cats are very intelligent animals and they don’t forget bad treatment easily. Never physically punish your cat or you’ll destroy any bond you’ve built up – possibly forever.

For creatures that are thought of as highly independent, cats do like receiving love and attention. They are generally not as eager to please as dogs though, and will return your affection on their own terms. That said, they still make loving companions.

If you’ve just adopted a cat or a kitten you will no doubt be thinking of names for your feline friend. Cat Names HQ has a huge collection of cat names, including many excellent female cat names.

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