A recent study conducted by Dr. Atsuko Saito at the University of Tokyo has demonstrated that domestic cats can distinguish their owners’ voices from strangers, yet often choose not to react. The research highlights that, unlike dogs, cats exhibit more subtle responses to human interaction, such as ear or head movements, rather than vocalizing or wagging their tails.
The study involved playing recordings of three strangers’ voices followed by the owner’s voice to 20 cats, while their reactions were observed. Researchers found that the cats recognized their owners’ voices but did not engage in communicative behaviors typically associated with social interaction. Instead, they responded with minimal movements, suggesting that while cats possess the ability to recognize familiar human voices, they may not feel inclined to respond overtly.
This research confirms the common perception of cats as aloof, yet it reveals underlying socio-cognitive abilities that have not been widely explored. The findings open up possibilities for further studies on social cognition in domesticated animals, with cats now emerging as a valuable species for comparison alongside dogs and horses.
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