Dog lovers always tell cat lovers that while the latter animal smells less, doesn't need walking and is arguably more intelligent, they don't like humans and are fundamentally selfish.

Cataholics have been vindicated, however, by a new study which relays the cheering news that cats don't just enjoy human company - they pick it over food.

New research from Oregon State University, published on Friday in Behavioural Processes, concludes that cats enjoy human contact more than eating.

Dispelling the rumour that cats are antisocial and the only love they show is cupboard love, they subjected cats to a series of tests to prove what they choose in different situations.