...and, besides that, most of the "wow kitty" factor activates after small cats (not necessarily domestic cats). European wildcat: yes. Sand cat: yes. Pallas cat: absolutely. Ocelot: kitty! gimme gimme gimme. Lynx: maybe. Leopards, tigers, jaguars: beautiful, but dangerous, interesting to watch, but no oxytocine release.
Comments
An interesting hypothesis, but I don't see similar fascination with pet snakes.
While historically dangerous to people, <0.001% of snakes will prey upon humans. Large cats vs. primates is quite different.
...and, besides that, most of the "wow kitty" factor activates after small cats (not necessarily domestic cats). European wildcat: yes. Sand cat: yes. Pallas cat: absolutely. Ocelot: kitty! gimme gimme gimme. Lynx: maybe. Leopards, tigers, jaguars: beautiful, but dangerous, interesting to watch, but no oxytocine release.
So I am still not convinced.