A cat’s affection isn’t always directed toward its owner; it often seeks the company of others—and with good reason, according to a study.

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Cats have a unique way of doing things, including who they allow close and who they permit to pet them. As it turns out, there’s a reason why a cat’s affection often goes toward people who aren’t their owners and who don’t necessarily know much about animals.

A cat's affection works specifically towards particular humans

Why a Cat’s Affection Might Be Directed at Others

A 2022 study published in the journal Nature found that cats are more likely to approach people who don’t have much experience with them. This may be because owners tend to cross certain boundaries, unlike those who have little or no experience with cats.

The authors of the study reached this conclusion after an experiment involving 119 volunteers and a number of neutered, non-pedigree adult cats. The cats were placed in enclosures where all their basic needs were met—food, water, litter, and a hiding spot.

The human participants were instructed to enter the enclosure, sit on a chair, and interact with the cat without picking it up. The animals had the option to avoid human interaction altogether. Each session lasted five minutes and was repeated with two other cats per person.

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A lot can also depend on where a person strokes a cat

The Way You Pet a Cat Also Matters

The results showed that cats responded best to passive yet sensitive individuals who didn’t overdo the interaction and limited their petting to “green zones,” such as behind the ears, the face, and the underside of the chin.

These people tended to avoid the red zones—like the belly, which most cats dislike being touched—and generally stayed clear of yellow zones like the back, sides, and legs.

Interestingly, these considerate behaviors were most common among people with little to no prior cat experience.

Dr. Marci Koski, a certified feline behavior and training consultant, explains that this makes sense. Owners often go overboard with their affection, which can be overwhelming for cats.

They Want You to Ignore Them

According to the expert, even too much staring can upset a cat, as direct eye contact mimics the first stage of predatory behavior and can be perceived as a threat. It's also important to remember that humans appear larger and more intimidating when viewed head-on.

That’s why, in a room full of strangers, a cat is often drawn to the person who pays it the least attention—someone it can approach on its own terms.

While this can be disappointing for owners to witness, especially when their cat chooses someone who isn’t even trying, Dr. Koski suggests practicing some restraint. Instead of rushing toward the cat the moment it enters the room, holding back usually pays off.

Affection sometimes can be too much

Watch Your Voice!

Most cats dislike loud noises or harsh voices. That’s why the expert always speaks softly when visiting clients in their homes. She calmly waits for the cat to come to her. “Cats are usually observing. I think it helps when they see me talking to their owner,” says Dr. Koski.

She also has a trick: she brings a bag filled with cat-friendly items, like toys stuffed with catnip. The cat typically comes over to investigate, and after a few minutes, she lowers her hand and lets the cat sniff it. From there, the door to affection is usually open.