Sep 06, 2015 11:55 AM EDT By Rashmi Kalia, UniversityHerald Reporter

A new study conducted at the University of Lincoln suggests that unlike dogs, cats show no signs of separation anxiety when their owners are away, Telegraph reports.

However, the study also shows that cats stay around human beings when they really want to.

For the study, the researchers studied the behavior of 20 cats after the cats were placed in an unfamiliar location with their owner and with a stranger.

The new study is published in PLOS One journal.

"The domestic cat has recently passed the dog as the most popular companion animal in Europe, with many seeing a cat as an ideal pet for owners who work long hours," said Daniel Mills, Professor of Veterinary Behavioural Medicine at the University of Lincoln's School of Life Sciences.

"Previous research has suggested that some cats show signs of separation anxiety when left alone by their owners, in the same way that dogs do, but the results of our study show that they are in fact much more independent than canine companions."

Daniel said that the signs that were considered as signs of separation anxiety were actually signs of frustration.

"Although our cats were more vocal when the owner rather than the stranger left them with the other individual, we didn't see any additional evidence to suggest that the bond between a cat and its owner is one of secure attachment."

However, researchers say that cats can still develop bonds with their owners, even though the new study shows that cats do not need humans in the same way that dogs do.

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