Do they produce oxytocin in their brains? (Image credit: Zhenny-zhenny via Shutterstock)
Cats may have a reputation for being independent creatures, but new research shows we have a unique bond with them based on brain chemistry.
The key chemical involved in this process is oxytocin, often called the love hormone. It's the same neurochemical released when a mother rocks her baby or when friends hug, strengthening trust and affection. Research shows that oxytocin is also important for the bond between cats and humans.
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Oxytocin also has a calming effect on humans and animals because it suppresses the stress hormone cortisol and activates the parasympathetic nervous system (the rest and digestion system), helping the body relax.
Scientists have long known that friendly interactions trigger the release of oxytocin in both dogs and their owners, creating a feedback loop and strengthening the bond. However, until recently, little was known about its effects on cats.
Cats display affection more subtly. However, their owners often report the same warm feelings of companionship and stress relief as dog owners, and research increasingly supports these reports. For example, Japanese scientists reported in 2021 that short petting sessions with cats increased oxytocin levels in many owners.
In this study, women interacted with their cats for several minutes while scientists measured their owners' hormone levels. The results showed that friendly contact (petting the cat, speaking in a soothing tone) was associated with increased oxytocin levels in the humans' saliva compared to a period of quiet rest without a cat.
Many people find petting a purring cat calming, but research shows that this isn't just due to the soft fur. The act of petting and even the sound of a purr can trigger the release of oxytocin in the brain. One 2002 study found that the release of oxytocin from gentle contact with a cat helps reduce cortisol (the stress hormone), which in turn can reduce blood pressure and even pain.
Cuddling a cat can help suppress the stress hormone cortisol. When do cats and humans release oxytocin?
Research has identified specific moments that trigger the release of this hormone in interspecies friendships. For cats, the primary trigger appears to be light physical contact.
A February 2025 study found that when owners calmly pet, cuddle, or rock their cats, their oxytocin levels tended to rise, as did the cats'—unless the interaction was forced on the animal.
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Researchers monitored oxytocin levels in cats for 15 minutes while they played and cuddled with their owner. Securely attached cats that initiated contact, such as sitting on their laps or pushing, experienced a surge in oxytocin. The more time they spent with their owners, the greater this surge.
What about less affectionate cats? The same study noted differences in behavior patterns in cats with more anxious or aloof attachment styles. Avoidant cats (those who kept their distance) showed no significant changes in oxytocin levels, while anxious cats (constantly seeking their owner but easily upset by interactions) had high oxytocin levels to begin with.
Cats with avoidant and anxious behaviors have been found to have decreased oxytocin levels after forced cuddles. When interactions are based on respect for the cat's comfort, oxytocin is produced in high quantities, but when a cat feels cornered, the bonding hormone is elusive.
Perhaps humans could learn from their feline friends about managing attachment styles. The key to establishing a bond with a cat is understanding their communication patterns.
Unlike dogs, cats don't require prolonged eye contact to establish a bond. Instead, they use more subtle signals. The most well-known of these is a slow blink. This is a feline smile, signaling security and trust.
Purring also plays an important role in bonding with people. A cat's low-frequency purr is associated not only with therapeutic effects for the cats themselves but also with a calming effect on humans. Listening to a purr can reduce heart rate and blood pressure; oxytocin contributes to these effects.
Bonding with a cat, reinforced by small bursts of oxytocin from daily interaction, can serve as a buffer against anxiety and depression, and in some cases provide comfort on par with human social support.
Are cats just less loving than dogs?
Indeed, studies typically demonstrate a stronger oxytocin response when dogs and humans interact. In one widely discussed 2016 experiment, scientists measured oxytocin levels in pets and their owners before and after ten minutes of play. Dogs' oxytocin levels increased by an average of 57% after play, while cats' oxytocin levels increased by approximately 12%.
In humans, oxytocin levels rise during meaningful social interactions. Research shows that contact with a loved one elicits a stronger oxytocin response than contact with strangers. Therefore, a dog's joyful greeting is akin to the excitement of meeting a child or partner.
Dogs, as pack animals domesticated for constant human interaction, almost inherently seek eye contact, affection, and approval from us—behaviors that stimulate oxytocin production in both parties. Cats, on the other hand, evolved from more solitary hunters who didn't require overt social gestures to survive. Therefore, they may not exhibit oxytocin-producing behaviors as frequently or regularly. Instead, cats may reserve their oxytocin-producing behaviors for times when they truly feel safe.
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A cat's trust doesn't come automatically; it must be earned. But once established, it's reinforced by the same chemical that bonds people with parents, partners, and friends.
So the next time your cat slowly blinks while sitting on the other end of the couch or climbs into your lap to purr, know that something invisible is happening: oxytocin levels are rising in both your brains, building trust and relieving the stress of everyday life. Cats, in their own way, are tapping into the ancient biology of love.
This edited article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Laura Elin Pigott, Senior Lecturer in Neuroscience and Neurorehabilitation, Course Director at the College of Health and Life Sciences, London South Bank University
Laura Elin Pigott is a neuroscientist and Senior Lecturer at London South Bank University, where she leads courses in neuroscience and neurophysiology and implements educational initiatives. Her research covers neuroimaging, glioma progression, and machine learning in cancer diagnostics, with recent work focusing on cognitive neuroscience and brain development. She is also actively promoting gender equality in STEM, collaborating with UN Women UK and participating in initiatives such as Frontiers Women in Neurology/Radiology.
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