So my (female) kitties love my boyfriend more than they love me. It's my understanding that female animals will suck up to men because they recognise that they are dominant over females. More physically commanding, deeper voice, etc.

So what if I started beating my boyfriend and became the dominant one in the relationship? Would they love me more? Or would they still love him more just because he's male?

Awkward word choice there...

Well anyways, I think it's because you're actually more dominant than him. Animals in general are afraid of people, though domestic animals are far less skittish. The thing is, they still are afraid, because of their survival instinct. Ever notice how when you crouch down an animal is more likely to come to you? They are less intimidated when you look smaller and therefore less threatening. So they are more inclined to go towards the less dominant and scary and more friendly person. Within a group of the same species [provided they are a communal species, not like lobsters or anything that lives isolated except for mating or is cannibalistic at maturity], such as a pack of coyotes or what have you, this is opposite. Because they know that the stronger pack member wont kill them[in most cases] and will most likely in fact further their chance of survival by leading the group to food, they will follow submissively.

Does this make sense?

Hmm...That does make sense...But I really don't think I'm the dominant one in the relationship...And he doesn't even like my cats. He hardly makes any effort to be nice to them but they always go to him first. And then when he pushes them off his lap, then they come to me. Even though they know they would have gotten a good cuddle if they had just come to me first...

Although, now that I think about it, maybe in a way I am the dominant one. Because like most girls, I'm good at getting my way, lol.

Funny, how when certain people start with a "..." in their post once, they continue doing that for the rest of it.

Many of the animals I've been around go around people they are familiar with, but don't see as often. I think it's like them missing that person. Like my dog back home LOVES my mom, never pays attention to anyone but her. But once our grandma comes over, she's with grandma the entire time.

^^^That makes sense, but I don't think that's what's happening here. My boyfriend and I live with my cats so I don't think they miss us.

Cats are complex creatures SickBoy, mine acts the opposite and will go and pay attention to females before males.

I don't think it is a dominance issue, but rather his/her personality.

Really? I've only ever had female (fixed) pets and I thought it was kind of a rule for them to like males better, because that's always been the case with my pets. My friend also agreed that they like males better because they can tell that they're the dominant ones.

It would make more sense if he was nicer to the cats than I am, but he's totally not.

Well, your cats obviously don't think logically. You're going to have to explain to them the reasons why they should like you better.

^^^I try to explain to them, almost daily. But they never listen.