Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Cats "Exploit" Humans By Purring

Posted by kdawson on from the frequently-mistaken-for-a-meatloaf dept.

An anonymous reader notes a BBC report on research recently published in the journal Current Biology, indicating that cats manipulate humans by adding a baby-like cry to their purring. "Cat owners may have suspected as much, but it seems our feline friends have found a way to manipulate us humans. Researchers at the University of Sussex have discovered that cats use a 'soliciting purr' to overpower their owners and garner attention and food. Unlike regular purring, this sound incorporates a 'cry,' with a similar frequency to a human baby's. The team said cats have 'tapped into' a human bias — producing a sound that humans find very difficult to ignore."

3 of 503 comments (clear)

  1. Evolution or Intelligent Design? by BadAnalogyGuy · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Assuming that the cats are in fact intelligent creatures, it would make sense that they have learned this behavior. Feral cats do not exhibit this behavior, so it is most likely learned or self-developed.

    However, it could also be that the constant exposure to humans and the direct selection of cats which humans like the most by the owners has led to a selection bias for cats with this behavior.

    I find it hard to believe that this is somehow one of those hokey "100th monkey" behaviors, but I also find it extremely interesting that this behavior is widespread.

    1. Re:Evolution or Intelligent Design? by timmarhy · · Score: 5, Insightful
      my dog gives me a series of ruffs and whistling sounds if i don't follow the rules in the morning. likes wise if i throw the ball into a place he doesn't want to go he'll come back ruffing to me to tell me i need to be the one to fix the situation. the more i talk to him the more he does it as well.

      cats and dogs are smarter than we give them credit for, when they look at you, they are thinking about something it's not just a vacant look.

      --
      If you mod me down, I will become more powerful than you can imagine....
  2. Re:I probably shouldn't have kids... by Opportunist · · Score: 5, Insightful

    It is actually a very interesting way to learn to not give in to annoying behaviour.

    This alone tells me that you'll be one of the few parents that raise good kids.

    --
    We used to have a Bill of Rights. Now, with the rights gone, all we have left is the bill.