Aug31

‘i don’t hear anything, do you?’ – olive to pete the cat. ‘nope.’- pete the cat to olive

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olive and pete the cat, actively ignoring me

using their selective hearing skills

when i call their names

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Why do cats ignore humans?

 Cats pretend not to hear you on purpose. They clock your voice instantly, they just weigh whether responding is worth it. Nine times out of ten, it isn’t.

They can hear a can opening from halfway across the house, and yet sometimes they don’t even twitch an ear when you call them from the other end of the couch. Are they ignoring you? Yes, they sure are!

 Science confirms they hear you perfectly-they are just actively choosing to ignore you.

Researchers at the University of Tokyo conducted a study and  determined the following:

Science:

  • Voice Recognition: The study showed that cats clearly recognize their owners’ voices and know when they are being called. 
  • Subtle Reactions: Instead of coming over, a cat will often just twitch an ear, move its head, or dilate its pupils to show it heard the sound. 
  • No Pack Instincts: Unlike dogs, cats were not bred over thousands of years to obey human commands or follow pack rules, so they feel no obligation to answer. 

Why They Ignore You;

  • Selective Attention:  Cats weigh whether an action benefits them before they decide to move.
  • Relaxation: If your cat is resting or comfortable, your voice is registered as low-priority information that does not require physical movement.
  • Autonomy: Felines prefer to dictate the terms of their own social interactions.


    Your  cat certainly understands you when you call them-they are simply choosing not to respond.
     Only 10 % of cats who recognize your voice will choose to do anything about it.

”if cats could talk, they wouldn’t.’

-nan porter

 

 

 

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source credit:

Atsuko Saito and Kazutaka Shinozuka, University of Tokyo

“Vocal recognition of owners by domestic cats (Felis catus)”Animal Cognition: 2013

art credit: gary larson, the far side

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44 responses »

  22. Cats are such independent creatures. Then, if they choose to come to you, snuggling, it means even more. I love when ours come home to eat a bit and then rush out into the wild again. It shows that they feel at home. And how sweet it is when they come to get an extra cuddle.

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