Of course she loves you because you feed her. But is that the only reason? Are our cats’ displays of affection akin to a peacock opening its feathers for a potential mate? Simply methods to achieve primal needs---feeding and reproducing?
I definitely believe it goes deeper than that. At least, in the long run, it does. I believe my cat has an affection for me that would be present even if I didn’t feed her, because we have bonded.
(Of course, it could be argued that, from the cat’s evolutionary perspective, when there is a long-term shortage of food, it makes more sense to be nice to the human who sometimes has food than give that human the cold shoulder. )
Virtually every behavior has some evolutionary purpose. Even we humans benefit from our relationships with our cat: Did you know petting your cat and hearing her purr can reduce blood pressure? Some may think that because these underlying end-goals drive a lot of behaviors, “love” may just be a means to an end.
I like to look at the relationship of love and evolutionary purpose as a double-sided arrow. Sure, cats subconsciously realize the benefit of being fed by their human, which leads to displays of affection. BUT! I also believe it is totally plausible that true and natural love can form and exist before an evolutionary purpose is realized. Then, the positive benefits that arise from loving and being loved are the cherry on top. (Gradually, natural selection would favor those creatures that “love more freely.”)
If love and affection are merely means-to-ends, and really boil down to simple scientific explanations, it doesn’t make them any less beautiful. Similar to a point Einstein made, that the more he understood the universe, the more beautiful it became.
Cold, hard facts can be seen as beautiful truths.
What do you think?
If you like cats and evolution, look out for a post that is currently brewing in my head regarding why its cute when cats do things like run to the window when they hear a loud noise outside!