Study Finds People Have Trouble Understanding Cats

by Lisa Selvaggio

Published: April 30th, 2024

Do you think that you’re able to accurately interpret your cat’s body language and vocalizations to figure out what they’re feeling or trying to tell you? Although you might be pretty confident in your ability to understand your cat, you might not always be right.

Stan Hubble/Shutterstock

French researchers conducted a study that found individuals weren’t always correct when it came to recognizing cats’ emotions. So, even though cats communicate through various sounds, from meows to chatters, as well as body language, people don’t always get the message that their pets are trying to convey.

How the Study Was Conducted

The study involved 630 people who provided responses online. They were given 24 videos to watch, all showcasing a variety of feline behaviors.

Some of the videos were of cats communicating vocally, while other videos only showed visual cues (body language and facial expressions), and the rest had both forms of communication.

Also, four categories of emotions were displayed in the videos: contentment, discontentment, solicitation, and predatory.

The Results: People Might Not Understand Cats All That Well

Participants had the best scores when it came to interpreting videos of cats showing vocal and visual cues, and this was followed by visual cues only and then vocal cues only.

In addition, participants were more accurate when it came to identifying cats that were content, followed by behaviors of solicitation for attention or food, and finally predatory behaviors. When it came to recognizing discontentment, the participants didn’t do as well, so it was the hardest emotion for them to identify.

Also worth noting: the study found that professionals who work with animals scored higher than those who don’t.

An example of a cue that could be misinterpreted is purring, as cats will purr when they’re happy and when they’re stressed because they can use purring to self-soothe. To really know what a cat is experiencing, it’s best to take their vocalizations and their body language into account, as these signals can provide greater clarity as to what they’re feeling.

Is Your Cat Misunderstood?

This research reveals that there’s more that pet parents can learn about their feline companions. While you might be able to easily tell when your kitty is happy, you might not readily recognize the signs that they’re unhappy. If, for example, you’re petting your cat and they suddenly turn and bite you, you might’ve missed subtle signals that they were getting annoyed along the way. Learning more about feline behavior and the ways that these animals communicate with you can help you create a happier home for your pets.

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Lisa Selvaggio

Lisa Selvaggio is a freelance writer and editor, and our resident cats-pert, with certifications in pet nutrition and pet first aid. She enjoys producing content that helps people understand animals better so they can give their pets a safe and happy home.

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Dogs are no strangers to stress and anxiety. While most pooches are the picture of the tail-wagging, carefree dog whose only stress is that they have to wait for their next meal, some have it a bit more ruff. Anxiety in dogs can vary from mild to severe, triggered by specific and occasional stressors (such as  fireworks, for example) or present on a daily level. Naturally, your pet’s state of mind has a big impact on their overall health, so it doesn’t surprise that dogs with anxiety often have tummy issues. But does that mean that a stressful situation or anxiety can directly cause diarrhea in dogs? Having in mind that, in a way, your pet’s mental health is connected to their digestion, it sounds highly probable.How Stress and Anxiety Can Cause DiarrheaSo how does it work? The connection between the brain and the gut, often referred to as the gut-brain axis, plays a crucial role in the overall health and well-being of dogs. When dogs experience stress or anxiety, it can trigger a cascade of physiological responses, including changes in gut motility, secretion of digestive enzymes, and alterations in the composition of gut microbiota. These disruptions can lead to gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea.When stress or anxiety takes hold, it's not just a matter of frazzled nerves. These emotional states can set off a domino effect within your dog's digestive system. Rather than a simple list of effects, think of it as a cascade of events:Picture your dog feeling anxious during a  thunderstorm or while being left alone. This emotional response triggers a surge of adrenaline, part of the body's "fight or flight" response. Blood flow shifts away from the digestive organs and toward the muscles, heart, and lungs, hastening gut motility.Meanwhile, the delicate balance of beneficial bacteria in the gut, known as the microbiome, is disrupted by stress. This dysbiosis can lead to inflammation, changes in gut permeability, and an upset stomach.Furthermore, chronic stress weakens the immune system, leaving your dog more susceptible to infections and inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract.Beyond these physiological effects, stress-related behaviors like excessive chewing,  licking, or ingesting non-food items can irritate the digestive tract, exacerbating diarrhea.How To Deal With Stress-Related Diarrhea in DogsIf your dog is experiencing stress-related diarrhea, there are several things you can do to alleviate their discomfort and ensure a speedier recovery.Before anything else, it’s essential to identify and address stressors. Determine the underlying causes of your dog's stress or anxiety and take steps to minimize or eliminate them where possible. This may involve providing a calm, predictable environment, addressing separation anxiety, or using  desensitization techniques for noise phobias.Next, support their digestion with a mild, nurturing diet and the right supplements. Your pet’s tummy is upset, so you shouldn’t neglect the importance of rebalancing their gut biome and helping their digestion. Instead of their usual kibble, offer them a bit of broth, some cooked rice, or boiled chicken breast. Additionally, a digestive supplement such as  Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets FortiFlora Powder can work wonders in managing symptoms of diarrhea. With a combination of special probiotics and antioxidants, this powdered supplement will quickly restore your pet’s GI tract and help their stool get back to its normal consistency. And since it’s packed with live microorganisms to benefit beneficial intestinal microflora, it can also help treat excessive gas and other digestion-related troubles, so it’s good to keep stocked in your pet’s first aid kit, especially if they have a sensitive stomach. 

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