Every cat owner has a story to tell about being sidetracked by their cat: We call our cat, it turns away, and some of us may wonder why we do not get a dog. But your cat might be listening, after all. More than that, it cares more than you might think.
One The French researchers’ study was published last month in the journal Animal perception found that cats not only respond to what scientists call cat-directed voices — high-pitched voices similar to how we talk to babies — but they respond to who is speaking.
“We found that when cats hear their owners high-pitched voices, they react more than when they hear their owners high-pitched voices,” said Charlotte de Mouzon, study author and a cat behavior expert at the University. listen to the owner speak normally with another adult. Paris Nanterre. “But what was very surprising in our results was that it actually didn’t work when it came from a stranger’s voice.”
Unlike dogs, cat behavior is difficult to study, which is part of the reason why humans understand them less. Cats are often so stressed out in the lab that meaningful behavior cannot be observed. And forget about trying to get your cat to sit still for an MRI to study its brain function.
So the researchers for the latest study went to the cats’ homes and played recordings of different speech patterns and different speakers. At first, Dr. de Mouzon and her team worried that the cats weren’t responding at all. But then they studied the video footage of the encounter. “Their response was very subtle,” says Dr. de Mouzon. “It could be just moving their ears or turning their heads toward the speaker or even freezing what they’re doing.”
In some cases, the cats in the study would approach the vocalist and meow. “In the end, we really got the cat’s attention when the owner used words directed at the cat,” says Dr. de Mouzon.
The findings suggest that “cats are paying attention to their caregivers, not just to what they are saying but also to how they say it,” said Kristyn Vitale, an assistant professor of animal health and behavior. at Unity University in Maine, who spoke. did not participate in the new study.
The new study complements Dr. Vitale’s own research on the relationship between a cat and its owner. Dr. Vitale’s research has found this relationship is so important that it recreates the bond between the kitten and its mother. “It’s possible that attachment behaviors originally intended for interactions with their mothers have now been modified to interact with their new caregivers, humans.”
Unlike dogs, “most cats actually prefer human interaction over other rewards like food or toys,” says Dr. Vitale.
Genetics may also play a role in why dogs are easier to learn and are said to be friendlier.
Sarah Jeannin, a dog behavior expert at the University of Paris Nanterre, who was not involved in the study chapter.
Dr. Jeannin counters the stereotype that dogs are closer to humans than cats. “People say that dogs are man’s best friend, that you can trust them and that they are loyal. But we don’t know what dogs really think,” she said. “We were really just predicting that the dogs were falling in love with us.”
“For several years, scientists didn’t ask the right questions about cats,” said Dr. de Mouzon. Now, those convinced of feline perfection won’t like the answers that are popping up.
Dr. Vitale says cats don’t hate us.
According to Dr. de Mouzon, just because cats react in subtle ways doesn’t mean they’re aloof.
“Cats don’t do what you expect them to do. But if the cats don’t come when we call them, it could be because they’re busy doing something else or they’re resting,” she says. “People have such expectations because when you call a dog, the dog will come. But if you called someone while they were napping at the other end of the house, would you go? “
