Owners of cats with tails often talk to them without knowing whether it makes sense or not. Researchers have discovered whether pets understand when humans address them.
Cats are considered independent, self-sufficient and even cold. Compared to dogs, it seems that they cannot hear their owners well. Popular Science reports that scientists have finally learned whether this is truly the case.
The study was conducted by scientist Charlotte de Mouzon and colleagues at the University of Paris X Nanterre in France. They used pre-recorded voices of hosts and strangers. 9 cats and 7 male cats participated in the experiment. The expressions were in both a “high-pitched cat tone” and a deeper human tone. The authors examined three separate situations, evaluating the cats’ behavior in different situations.
First case: The researchers first included other people’s voices, then transformed them into the owner’s voice. 10 of the 16 tailed beasts were initially less active when they heard three unfamiliar sounds, even though they were called by name. When the owners’ voices began to be heard, behavior changed. The cats turned their ears towards the speakers, started moving around the room, and dilated their pupils. According to scientists, such a sharp change shows that pets distinguish sounds.
Second case: The recorded voice addresses first the third person and then the cat. Ten pets (eight of which were successful in the previous condition) were less active when their owners were talking to another person. However, when the tone of voice was changed and they were addressed, the cats showed more interest.
Third situation: Unfamiliar voices called out to the third person and then to the cat. Scientists did not realize that addressing a stranger in an “adult” or “cat” tone affected the behavior of four-legged animals.
A small sample of 16 cats does not make it possible to speak for all representatives of the breed. However, the researchers concluded that the behavior of the tailed animals changed when they heard the owner’s voice. Moreover, they understand whether it is addressed to them or to another person. In the second case, pets do not pay attention.
Scientists plan to conduct a similar experiment in the future on cats, where strangers’ voices are more ordinary.
Let’s remember that veterinarian Hayley Bergeland takes this into account and explains how cats see and how to make games more enjoyable for them.
A man in Germany found a tiny kitten on the road and decided to adopt it. But it soon turned out that the “tail” only looked tame and innocent.
Source: Focus
Ashley Fitzgerald is an accomplished journalist in the field of technology. She currently works as a writer at 24 news breaker. With a deep understanding of the latest technology developments, Ashley’s writing provides readers with insightful analysis and unique perspectives on the industry.