Filling a long-standing gap in feline research, a small study shows that cats can distinguish their owners' voices from those of strangers.
Cats may not process human language in the same way that humans do, but studies show that cats recognize and, in some cases respond to, human vocalizations, gestures and expressions — depending on whether they feel like it, of course.
Indoor cats react when their owners speak in a high-pitched “kitty voice” – such as by moving their heads and ears more – but not when strangers do so.
“Technically, cats can't understand human words because their cognitive skills are not advanced enough,” Glover told The Dodo. Cats understand language the same way that we understand what they're trying to say when they meow. They know that we're talking to them, but they don't know exactly what we're saying.
In a new study published Tuesday in the journal Animal Cognition, researchers from Université Paris Nanterre in France found that cats can actually recognize their owners' voices when they're speaking to them.
They can remember a person's face for up to 10 years! And kitties become seriously attached to their humans, so in case you were wondering, yes, your cat remembers and misses you when you're gone for a few weeks, and they absolutely mourn when a trusted companion drops out of their life.
The study is among the first to show cats can recognize—and respond to—their owners' voices. “There is really a special communication that develops between every owner and their cat,” says de Mouzon, who is also a researcher at the University of Paris Nanterre.
Sorry to break it to you, but human meows mean nothing to cats. At most, you can get your cat's attention and they may even appreciate your attempts to communicate by purring or even meowing back. But to most cats, human meows sound like human language.
To summarise, cats don't think about their day or how they feel. But they do think about previous situations they have encountered. For example, when your cat is chilling out, it's not thinking about anything in particular.
If you talk to your cat in baby talk, you're far from alone. Many animal lovers make their voices higher and more drawn out when talking to their pets, but a new study from Animal Cognition seems to prove that cats actually prefer this sound, too.
Cats developed their language to talk to humans. They built the set of signals to tell them what they need and what they don't want their cat parents to do. However, when your cat talks back to you, especially if they do that often, they may need your attention.
Every cat is different. While some cats enjoy being kissed, others will not. Some will feel love, while others will not see kissing as a sign of affection. There are better ways than kissing to show a cat affection that they will understand.
All in all, even the most aloof and brooding cat will be able to pick up on your warmth and devotion. Whether they choose to admit it or not, they can sense when a person loves them (and hates them). So always make sure you're emitting good, kitty-positive vibes, and your cat will be sure to indulge in the lovefest.
For example, a study published in the journal "Animal Cognition" in 2013 found that cats are capable of recognizing human faces, particularly those of their owners. In this study, cats were presented with images of their owners' faces, as well as those of strangers, and they were able to distinguish between them.
Just saying no is not good enough for a cat. They want to know what's in it for them. So give them something better or more interesting than the thing they are doing that you don't want.
“In a way, cats think of us as bigger cats,” Bonk says. “They might not necessarily know that we're a different species or they just don't care.” Stelow suspects cats will treat their human caregivers with similar displays of affection they show toward other felines.
Here's the thing, cats don't recognise themselves in mirrors. When they see their reflection, they simply think they're seeing another cat. This explains why your kitty is so infatuated with their look-alike. The reason cats don't realise they're staring at themselves is actually quite straightforward.
Cats, while often independent creatures, still crave attention and love, in addition to their obvious nutritional needs of fresh water, clean litter, and food. If you decide to bring a cat or kitten into your home, you should be prepared to spend at least 20 minutes a day giving your cat loving one-on-one attention.
From a young age a cat's mother would not only lick them as a way of grooming them, but also to show affection. Cats then replicate this behaviour with you as a way of showing their own affection – it simply comes naturally. This licking behaviour is not just exclusive between pet and owner.
Cats See Us as Parents
They actually see us as parents. A 2019 study revealed that cats have the same attachment to their owners that babies show to their parents. Kittens in the study acted distressed when their caregivers left and happy and secure when they returned.
Not only the owner's voice will be recognized by a cat. Cats will also learn and memorize the sounds of your footsteps and breathing, among others. Your cat may be waiting for you at the door when you return from work because it has memorized your gait and learned to recognize the sound of your footsteps.
Why Do Cats React to “Pspspsps?” Delgado offers two plausible explanations behind cats' interest in “pspspsps.” First: The noise vibrates at a frequency that naturally attracts felines. Second: It's similar to “naturally relevant” sounds to a cat such as a mouse in rustling leaves or a bird taking flight.
Lastly, but no less important, ignoring a cat can build frustration if the cat doesn't know any other way to behave or has been rewarded for their behavior in the past. Frustration can lead to an increase in the behavior and may also cause lower tolerance and a higher risk of aggression.