You’re not wrong there! Cats can be loyal, but it isn’t overt in the same way it is with dogs. There are a lot of subtle things like this in the writing.
Exactly - it isn’t unconditional loyalty, as dogs tend to have. Cats demand reciprocity and a level of common respect and understanding.
You’re right on about the subtlety in the writing - Pumyra won’t follow Lion-O without an assurance of his loyalty, while Dobo remains loyal even after he believes Panthro abandoned him.