To break the ice, the researchers tried four different approaches. The vocal approach was to call cats with a distinctive little kissing sound that would normally get a cat’s attention. The gestural approach was to reach for the cat and alternately look at it and then look at the ground, a method suggested by a previous study. The blended approach has blended the vocal approach and the gestural approach. The “control” approach consisted of the experimenter standing still and speechless, not looking at the cats.
The sound, not that important
Which of these approaches do you think was the most effective? The researchers had bet on the vocal approach. Seven cats responded. Not bad. But only one more than the “control” approach. While ten cats responded to the gestural approach.
The researchers also noted that more cats start wagging their tails in the face of an unfamiliar experimenter who takes the “control” approach. As if they are made uncomfortable by this lack of attention from humans. But perhaps most surprisingly, cats also wag their tails more in a vocal approach situation than in a gestural or mixed approach situation. Further proof that we probably still have a lot to learn about our cat friends’ communication preferences.
the association does not receives and is against public funding (also 5 per thousand)
Its economic strength are inscriptions and contributions donated by those who deem it useful
DONATE NOW