Understanding Cat Behavior: New Study

• Unhappy Cat Signs: Surprisingly, a third of the participants struggled to recognize signs of an unhappy cat. Cats can be subtle, and their distress may not always be obvious.
• Happy Cat Clues: Most participants correctly identified signs of a content cat. These observant souls noticed the subtle cues.

The Mix of Words and Visuals

In the study, videos showed cats communicating solely through words or visual signals. The third set combined both. Researchers, led by Charlotte de Mouzon from the University of Paris Nanterre, explored this dual communication approach.

• The study highlights how both vocal and visual modalities are important pieces of the communication puzzle with cats. A meow that grows louder over time could indicate building frustration. But combine that with a swishing tail, flattened and crouched body, and the message becomes abundantly clear that the cat is agitated.

Cracking the Cat Code: Understanding Feline Signals 1 and 2.

The study participants included 630 people: 574 women, 51 men and 5 non-binaries. There were 464 lay people and 166 professional persons working with animals (veterinarians, ethologists, animal behaviourists, veterinary students or students in ethology, professional pet-sitters, etc.).

1. Vocal Expressions: Meows, Purrs, and Hisses

Some supposedly obvious signals like purring turn out to be more complex than we assumed. While purring can indeed signal pleasure and comfort, cats may also “self-soothe” by purring in stressful situations as a way to calm themselves.

Cats express themselves through a symphony of sounds. Here’s what their vocalizations might mean:

• Meows: Cats meow for various reasons. It could be a greeting, a request for attention, or even a complaint. Pay attention to the context and tone of the meow.
• Purring: Ah, the soothing purr! While it often signifies contentment, cats also purr when stressed or in pain. Observe their body language to interpret it correctly.
• Hisses and Growls: These are defensive signals. When a cat hisses or growls, they’re saying, “Back off!” It’s their way of setting boundaries.

2. Visual Clues: Tail Talk and Ear Language

Visual cues are just as fraught with potential for misinterpretation. Something as simple as a tail wag – which we typically associate with a happy, friendly dog – can actually indicate very different underlying emotional states in cats depending on the precise characteristics and context.

Cats are masters of non-verbal communication. Keep an eye on these visual cues:

• Tail Position: A raised tail indicates confidence and friendliness. A twitching tail might mean excitement or irritation. A tucked tail signals fear or submission.
• Ear Posture: Ears forward? Your cat is curious. Flattened ears? They’re feeling threatened or anxious. Ears slightly back? They’re relaxed.

This research underscores how much more we have to learn when it comes to truly comprehending our cats. But the payoff is immense – improving our cross-species communication abilities can enhance cat welfare, enable better bonding and even open up avenues for cats to serve as therapeutic companions.

We owe it to our feline friends to watch, listen and learn more attentively. I’ve written about this for years but the takeaway is: we have to take action. We need to get off our devices, our distractions and really observe our cats. Our cats have been trying to talk to us, but too often we’ve only been half-listening. By becoming bilingual in the subtle language of meows and tail quivers, we can develop a deeper, richer dialogue with our curious companions.

What Your Cat Is Really Thinking: Intuitive Cat Communication 101

On a happier note: there is a new feature film A Cat’s Life, premiering March 29 and it looks adorable. I’m not sure if it will add or detract from understanding cat behavior given the new data. What do you think?