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To get a man’s attention, cats meow harder
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Researchers are suggesting that many cats have concluded that men do not always listen, and adjusted their behaviour accordingly.
PHOTO: AFP
Clarissa Brincat
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- Bilkent University researchers found cats meow more to male caregivers, suggesting cats adjust behaviour because men may not always listen to their needs.
- The study, published in Ethology, analysed footage of 31 volunteers and found cats meowed 4.3 times to men versus 1.8 to women in 100 seconds.
- Experts suggest cultural factors may influence findings and further research is needed to understand cat communication globally for better cat welfare.
AI generated
NEW YORK – As he lectured on animal behaviour, Professor Kaan Kerman, an instructor in the psychology department at Bilkent University in Turkey, noticed a pattern. Dog owners tend to confidently interpret their pets’ behaviour, he said, “but cat owners are always puzzled”.
Compared with dogs, cats have been studied less, partly because they prefer to stay at home.
