Scientists explain how to communicate correctly with cats
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230527/scientists-explain-how-to-communicate-with-cats-properly-1110610649.html
Scientists explain how to communicate correctly with cats
Scientists explain how to communicate correctly with cats
A recent study found that the best way to communicate with a four-legged friend is with a feline smile, just like cats do; in fact, all that is needed for the facial expression is a simple narrowing of the eyes and a slow blink.
2023-05-27T01:19+0000
2023-05-27T01:19+0000
2023-05-27T01:14+0000
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A recent study found that the best way to communicate with a furry friend is with a feline smile, just like cats do; in fact, all that is needed for the facial expression is a simple narrowing of the eyes and a slow blink. Felinologists have long theorized that such gestures make cats feel comfortable enough that they are willing to approach a human — even if that exact person is unfamiliar to the animal. A team of British researchers decided to prove this intuition and carried out several tests. the first experiment, the researchers selected a group of cats and had their owners blink slowly at the kittens as they watched. The interaction was recorded on cameras and showed the felines responding with slow blinks. During the second experiment, the cats were introduced to people they had never seen before. Participants slowly blinked as a cat looked at them and reached out for the animal. As the results proved, the cats not only blinked, but were also more likely to approach the human subject’s hand in this situation. Another author of the paper, Tasnim Humphrey, called the cats an “understudied species” expressing hope that their research will “improve the welfare of felines”. The study was published in the peer-reviewed journal Scientific Reports.
2023
News
en_GB
cats, study, blinking, smiling, communication
cats, study, blinking, smiling, communication
A recent study found that the best way to communicate with a furry friend is with a feline smile, just like cats do; in fact, all that is needed for the facial expression is a simple narrowing of the eyes and a slow blink.
Felinologists have long theorized that such gestures make cats feel comfortable enough that they are willing to approach a human, even if that exact person is unfamiliar to the animal.
A team of researchers from the United Kingdom decided to prove this intuition and carried out several tests.
In the first experiment, the researchers selected a group of cats and asked their owners to slowly blink at the kittens as they watched. The interaction was recorded on cameras and showed the felines responding with a slow blink.
During the second experiment, the cats were introduced to people they had never seen before. Participants slowly blinked as a cat looked at them and reached out for the animal.
As the results proved, the cats not only blinked, but were also more likely to approach the human subject’s hand in this situation.
“It’s something you can try yourself with your own cat at home or with cats you meet on the street. It’s a great way to strengthen the bond you have with cats. Try squinting at them like you would in a relaxed smile, followed by closing your eyes for a few seconds. You’ll find that they react the same way themselves, and you can start some sort of conversation,” Karen McComb, Study co-author and professor of animal behavior and cognition at the University of Sussex, said.
Another author of the paper, Tasnim Humphrey, called cats an “understudied species” and took the opportunity to express hope that their research will “improve the welfare of felines”.
The study was published in the peer-reviewed journal Scientific Reports.
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