Different Greetings: How Dogs & Cats Say Hello!
Many dogs find themselves lacking in necessary interaction and activities when their owners are away from home. They often find themselves at leisure, feeling a bit bored. However, when their owners return, the excitement is palpable, as they finally have someone to engage with and play.
For a small percentage of dogs, separation anxiety can set in when their owners leave. They may exhibit mild stress, but once their owners return, the relief from the separation stress is evident, leading to an increased dependence on their owners and a reluctance to be apart.
That enthusiasm is a pure expression of a dog's love for its owner.
Cats, on the other hand, greet humans with behaviors such as nose touching and head rubbing. When their owners come home, a headbutt is a friendly and affectionate greeting, signifying a welcome interaction. Cats are selective with whom they interact, usually only with members of their social circle, and strangers are not permitted.
This explains why dogs often show warmth towards strangers who enter their homes, whereas cats remain at a distance, observing calmly. It's rare for cats to actively seek affection or cuddles; it's usually the owner who seeks out the cat's company. Does this mean cats don't love their owners as much as dogs? Not at all. It's simply that we misunderstand the behavior of cats based on our expectations of dogs' behavior in our lives.
