Yes, you read that right: A recent study revealed that getting your pet's attention is as simple as speaking with a high-pitched tone and extended vowels, just like how you'd communicate with a human baby. Additionally, the study suggested that your cat can actually tell you apart from strangers.
You might want to try talking to him like a baby. New research suggests that when cat parents speak using a high-pitched, sing-song tone, their cats know they're talking to them.
Because cats prefer – and pay more attention to – high-pitched voices. That's according to Dr.
“Cats are very sensitive and can feel safe or feel threatened by the tone of voice and the loudness. Cats are more apt to respond and socialize with their people when spoken to in a soft and calm voice.” “They can certainly learn to understand their names and come when called,” adds Krieger.
Raised voices will terrify your cat. Feline ears are extra sensitive to loud and especially high-pitched noises. A cat who hears shouting will flatten her ears, lower her head, and look for a place to hide, away from the sound and fury.
Cats Aren't Mind ReadersF
In fact, pets often have no idea what just happened or why you're yelling at them.
Cats Recognize Their Humans' Voices
Cats can identify and remember unique vocal patterns, Manucy says. “This means that a cat may respond to a favored family member better than to a less familiar guest,” she explains.
Using “baby talk” could effectively grab your cat's attention, a small study finds.
Soft classical music
The kind of music we listen to even affects our blood pressure and breathing. The soft, harmonious sounds also calm down our cats and lead to relaxed breathing and a well-balanced heartbeat – with some cats, even the pupils get smaller.
In most cases, cats will purr when they are in a relaxed environment, sending out waves of calmness. This may also occur when you stroke them, and if this is the case, your feline friend is feeling happy or sociable. However, cats purr to communicate other emotions and needs, too.
The findings, de Mouzon says, suggest cats—like dogs—may understand that their relationship with us is akin to that of a parent and their baby. “We are the caregivers—they can sense it,” she says. “It reflects and reinforces that bond.” This communication isn't just a one-way street.
Turns out, it depends on the cat. Some cats are socialized as kittens to be held and kissed, while others haven't had that exposure and might be put off by a kiss as an expression of love. So, some cats like it and some cats don't—but there are ways of detecting the category into which your feline friend falls.
Why Do Cats React to “Pspspsps?” Delgado offers two plausible explanations behind cats' interest in “pspspsps.” First: The noise vibrates at a frequency that naturally attracts felines. Second: It's similar to “naturally relevant” sounds to a cat such as a mouse in rustling leaves or a bird taking flight.
“Although cats have a reputation for ignoring their owners, a growing body of research indicates that cats pay close attention to humans,” says Kristyn Vitale, a cat behavior scientist at Unity College in Maine, who was not involved in the study.
Cats like peace and quiet. Household conveniences, like vacuum cleaners, can easily disrupttheir nap time.
Playing with your cat and providing them with interactive toys, such as wand toys and puzzle toys, can also reduce anxiety. Over-the-counter calming products, such as pheromones and supplements, may help reduce anxiety but should be discussed with a veterinarian first.
Cats can be scared of a wide range of noises, including doorbells, fireworks, household appliances, lawnmowers, slamming doors and thunder, as well as the honking of car horns or the loud blare of car alarms. Noises can be a particular problem for cats at certain times of year, such as Bonfire Night.
Tail: Most cats don't particularly like to be petted on the tail. And for what it's worth, a cat's tail is a good measuring stick for how stimulated (read: agitated) she's becoming as a result of your petting. The more it starts to move, the sooner you should keep your hands to yourself.
Why do some cats dislike belly rubs? Hair follicles on the belly and tail area are hypersensitive to touch, so petting there can be overstimulating, Provoost says. “Cats prefer to be pet and scratched on the head, specifically under their chin and cheeks,” where they have scent glands, Provoost says.
All in all, even the most aloof and brooding cat will be able to pick up on your warmth and devotion. Whether they choose to admit it or not, they can sense when a person loves them (and hates them). So always make sure you're emitting good, kitty-positive vibes, and your cat will be sure to indulge in the lovefest.
They Want Attention
It's possible they want their second favorite thing: attention. “Repetitive meowing usually indicates that your cat wants something and they're tasking you with providing it,” says Stephen Quandt, a certified cat behaviorist based in New York City.
This also applies to newborn humans. Babies have no clue about what they look like until they are older than one year of age, notes Psychology Today. As explained by Popular Science, cats actually don't recognize themselves in the mirror, despite what you see in those cute cat videos or in your own home.
Humans apart
Cats cannot differentiate between human faces and do not care how you look like. Unlike dogs, they would not even try to differentiate human faces. In an experiment conducted by an American university, the kitties could recognize their handlers less than 50 percent of the time.