Cats, in fact, do enjoy music, but they don't enjoy human music — at least according to new research. A study recently published in the journal Applied Animal Behavior Science believes that in order for our feline friends to enjoy music, it has to be species-specific music.
At a guess I'd say that she likes the sound of your voice and perceives you singing as a relaxing gesture and responds accordingly. Contrary to many peoples opinion of cats, they really are very sensitive creatures and can bond to a very high degree with people whom they are comfortable with.
Dogs recognize your voice above all others, as has been shown in fMRI brain scans. Parts of their brain light up when they hear their person's voice more than just random humans. It comforts them to hear your voice, and you can use singing to relax your dog when they are feeling some stress.
Yes, really. Filling a long-standing gap in feline research, a small study shows that cats can distinguish their owners' voices from those of strangers. Like many who share their homes with a cat, I often talk to the miniature predator who sleeps on my pillow.
Previously, researchers determined that cats stay calmer when listening to classical music, as opposed to pop and heavy metal. But more recent research published in this month's issue of Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery showed that cats may relax even more when listening to music made with them in mind.
The cats reacted most positively to classical music, followed by pop. Heavy metal, though, raised their heart rate and increased their pupil size; in other words, rock music stressed them out. As for when to play music for your kitty, any time is a good time.
Natural sounds have a relaxing effect on both humans and cats. A prime example is the sound of sea waves. This frequency (twelve vibrations per minute) is perceived as soothing, as it resembles our breathing rhythm during sleep.
Cats lack the cognitive skills to interpret human language, but they recognize when you talk to them. To put it another way, cats comprehend human language in the same way that we understand meowing. It's similar to how you interpret your cat's language by "reading" how they arch their back or swish their tail.
To most animals, human music falls into that ungraspable, unrecognizable category. With vocal ranges and heart rates very different from ours, they simply aren't wired to appreciate songs tailored for our ears.
According to a study1 published in 2019 in the journal Scientific Reports, cats do, in fact, recognize their own names. The lead author of the study is a behavioral scientist named Atsuko Saito from Sophia University in Tokyo, whose prior research2 demonstrated that cats can recognize their owners' voices.
It Masks Unpleasant Sounds
Indoor cats and dogs are not used to hearing these sounds a lot, and when they can't see a familiar face around, they get very anxious, scared, and frustrated.
Cats, in fact, do enjoy music, but they don't enjoy human music — at least according to new research. A study recently published in the journal Applied Animal Behavior Science believes that in order for our feline friends to enjoy music, it has to be species-specific music.
“For some cats, it's not only the pattern of the song and the tone of voice — it's also the attention from people in a non-threatening manner that is appealing,” Dale says. “Certainly, when someone's cat already feels comfortable with their owner singing to them — many cats appreciate it.
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.
“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.
Your cat might not understand human crying, but she'll gather as many clues as she can and use them to adjust her behavior. Researchers know that reinforcement plays a big role in how your cat decides to react.
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.
They include, Approaching you (it's a little gesture, but it means they feel safe) Head butting and rubbing. Purring.
The head bump. It's their way of saying hello, by using the oil glands in front of their ears to greet you as if you're a cat and leave their scent on you. They see you as one of their clan, so bump them right back.
Cats only make eye contact with people they like and are even known to make 'eye kisses'! This is when a cat will stare with half closed eyelids and slowly blink, repeatedly. It's a gesture that can be reciprocated, so if you notice your cat giving you a 'kiss', why not give them one in return?
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.
Cats like peace and quiet. Household conveniences, like vacuum cleaners, can easily disrupttheir nap time.
Noise Pollution
Cats can hear sounds "about 1.6 octaves higher than humans and one octave above dogs." Loud televisions, video games, stereos and phones all contribute to this type of noise pollution, which can drive your cat crazy, forcing her to retreat into a small space to hide.