You should be careful where you look at home, as scientists have shown that cats can correctly identify and evaluate human glances. This type of behavior was also discovered in dogs.
Researchers at a university in Budapest tested 41 cats in their natural environment so a change in place does not stress the examined animals and distort the results. The aim of the research was to determine whether the interaction between cats and humans will show similar reactions as they have so far only experienced in dogs - that they can understand and follow human glances.
The test was simple. The cat was to choose which of two bowls to run to based on the glance of a person, whether long or fleeting. One was empty and the other was full of food. Yet by the time the cat could head for one of them, the person's gaze was once again directed directly at the animal.
The cats did very well in determining and remembering where the person looked. They chose the right bowl in 70% of cases, which is more than if they had chosen purely randomly. Moreover, sound stimuli in the form of commands had no effect on the result, even though cats are able to recognize the voice of their master and who they are talking to.
Cat research is not conducted as often as with dogs, as cats don't cooperate as readily as dogs. This is evidenced by the fact that the research began with 85 cats, but 44 of them showed no interest in it, or became bored during the experiment and refused to cooperate. Despite this, the researchers managed to prove that they watch and interpret human glances. This type of nonverbal communication is called ostensive behavior, and the ability to read it was previously only found in companion dogs. The question is whether cats learn this ability during their lifetime, or whether this function has developed over 10,000 years of domestication.
Have you ever noticed your cat responding to your glance? The research showed that cats understand that the place a person is looking at may be important. When I think about it, I almost always hear meowing when I look at the refrigerator. Is my cat trying to say something? :)
When one says a mini breed, most of you will immediately think of a Chihuahua. And it’s not surprising, its the smallest dog breed in the world. They are popular abroad as well as in the Czech Republic and they are often picked by people whose desire...
The Ragdoll, a cat which reminds you of a dog with its behaviour, was in the top three favourite breeds among keepers in 2017. At the worldwide scale, it is on the second place, right after the Maine Coon. The Ragdoll is a very cuddly pet which is into...
Cats have always been regarded as mystical animals with many mysteries. One of them might be the question why these creatures like sitting in a circle so much.
You might be asking why should a cat learn to walk on a leash in the first place? It doesn’t mean you should go hiking with your cat. However, a short walk might be a great adventure for your cat. And you can’t do that without a leash, especially in a...
Keeping an eye on the weight no longer concerns only us, the two-legged creatures. Vets deal with overweight and obese pets more and more often. Most often, it applies to dogs and cats, but even rodents can easily suffer from obesity. How to prevent...
Toxins are accumulated in body during winter and spring is therefore the best season for detoxification. Everything awakens and people purify their bodies so why shouldn’t we involve our closest companions to it?
The fact that it’s no problem to go for a journey across the whole continent (or even the whole world) together with your pet is well-known to the owners of three cat travellers – Bengal cat Suki, courageous cat Wilow and fearless tom cat Simon. They...
One of my New Year’s resolutions this year was to be more active. A dog is a great companion for an active life. What is a healthy level of exercising with a dog?
These portions seem so small, shouldn’t I give my dog more? And should the dry food be dipped or not? And how many times a day should I feed my dog? And should I supplement the food by something? When should we switch to adult dog food? This is only a...
Do you know how to properly behave with your furry friends in national parks and protected nature areas? Are you sick of all the trash in city parks? And are you considering what you should do to be a more eco-friendly dog owner? You can also...
Siberian Husky is an amazing dog breed. It is a very active dog. Agile, strong and distinctive. That’s why many mushers use them to pull their sledges. It is said that all dogs who like pulling are suitable for a dog sled, but a Siberian Husky really...
Domestic cats don’t go outside as often as dogs and you have to prepare them for travelling. However, they won’t avoid visiting a vet or travelling to a cottage from time to time.
