A study has revealed that the attachment pet cats have to humans has long been underestimated.
It said the feline mammals are unlikely to demonstrate the attachment because they have a reputation for being loners and independent.
Researchers found that cats bond with humans in a way that's surprisingly similar to babies.
"Domestic cats act almost a similar way. The majority of cats are securely attached to their owner and use them as a source of security in a weird environment," lead author of the research Kristyn Vitale said.
The study, which was published in the journal Current Biology , further revealed that just like how human beings have varying ways of showing attachment, pet cats form secure and insecure bonds with their human friends.
"I'm a proud cat mom. When I return home after running my errands, my cat rushes to me and it’s very clingy and follows me everywhere," Jackie Wairimu told the Star on Wednesday.
She revealed that the bond between her and her pet cat is so strong such that the cat, pet-named Fiona, "makes me feel cozy and warm after those stressful days."
The researchers classified about 65 per cent of both cats and kittens as securely bonded to their people.
The findings also show that cats' human attachments are stable and present in adulthood.
"Like dogs, cats display social flexibility in regard to their attachments with humans," Vitale said, adding that this social flexibility may have helped facilitate the success of the species in human homes.
