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Jul 13, 2009 04:45 PM | 30
Although perhaps not as jolting as an alarm clock, a cat’s “soliciting purr” can still pry its owner from sleep. And, when sufficiently annoying, the sound may actually coerce them from bed to fill a food bowl.
This particular meow mix—an embedding of her cat’s high-frequency natural cry within a more pleasant, low-frequency purr—often awakens Karen McComb, a behavioral ecologist at the University of Sussex in the U.K. and lead author of a paper about that sound published today in Current Biology.
“Solicitation purring is probably more acceptable to humans than overt meowing, which is likely to get cats ejected from the bedroom,” McComb said in a statement.
To understand just how cats vocally manipulate owners, including herself, McComb and her team set up a series of experiments. First they recorded the purrs of 10 cats; some were recorded when a cat was actively soliciting food and others in a non-solicitation setting. Fifty people then listened to the sounds at the same volume. Individuals judged pleading purrs as more urgent and less pleasant than normal purrs. When the researchers played the purrs re-synthesized to exclude the hungry cries, leaving all else the same, the volunteers perceived the purrs as far less urgent.
McComb suggests that cats may be cashing in on human's naturally nurturing response to a baby’s cry. Previous studies have shown the cat’s embedded cry shares a similar frequency.
Like babies, domestic cats are “completely dependent on us for their survival,” says C. A. Tony Buffington, a professor of veterinary medicine at The Ohio State University, who was not involved in the study. “Any time an animal is in that situation, they are going to be scrutinizing their caregivers for any response to any signal they are sending out. Whatever works, they’re going to do it—whether that’s changing a purr, or doing figure eights between their owner's feet.”
Buffington sees potential in applying the findings at his veterinary hospital to decipher what a cat is experiencing and what it needs. “Here’s something that everyone’s probably observed, but no one has paid attention to,” Buffington says. “Now, we can look at it in much deeper way.”
Photo by Andres Rueda via Flickr
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purr,
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30 Comments
Add CommentThis is just cats' next step in preparing us for the day when they wrest control of the planet away from us.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisYes, galaxy_man, all part of their evil plan. And I like it!
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisDomestic cats are completely dependent on us for their survival, says C. A. Tony Buffington.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisOn the contrary, the domestic cat is independent. Should I die tonight, my cat will breakfast well tomorrow. He needs no human aid to arrange health, education, welfare, communication, and a mate.
This independence forms part of the respect that many of us have for this animal.
- Chester Graham
These stupid monkyboy scientists just don't get it; to quote somebody else from the comments posted to the cat genetics article " Dogs serve masters Cats keep monkeyboy staff
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisLNL
Love my cat companion, don't care if she is manipulative. My favorite saying as I introduce her to other humans is, "Carmen, but we like to call her The Carmenator. She rules this roost with an iron paw!"
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisObviously, she has never met my cat "Spanky". He's an expert hunter and does not need me at all! LOL! He does; however, have different meows for different occasions. This feline will do anything for a treat, but that does NOT include sounds .... unless it is to play the piano, which is one of his tricks. He must sit, shake, hi-5, hug my arm, and roll-over. Meows just don't do it for me.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisMighty impressive for a critter with a brain the size of a walnut. Maybe that's why they nap a lot. "Thinkin is hard work'. (I have nearly a dozen keeping me in line.)
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisI have 3 cats and none of them meow. They are not mute - they just don't have anything to say.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisThey convey their wishes with a look. And wake me in the morning with a kidney knead.
I'm not sure if cat's are "training" us or are finding out what works. I disagree with the statement "Like babies, domestic cats are 'completely dependent on us for their survival,'" because if all humans vanished from the face of the earth, housecats will still most likely survive as a species. Many will probably die but many are already efficient hunters and will adapt. However, if all humans above a certain age died leaving just the babies alive then they would all surely perish soon afterward.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisThis article uses the term "purr" frequently when I think they are referring to meowing. I know my cat Phoenix has very different cries that make me & my best friend respond. He sounds very urgent sometimes when he wants a specific toy or when he wants food. And domestic cats who live only indoors really are dependent on us for survival, sure they'd have a chance if they were left outdoors, unlike a human infant. But the article was referring to those that are completely indoor cats. I think the term manipulative is a bit misleading in its connotation. Are babies being manipulative when they cry? Perhaps, but they have no other option, they must convey their needs to us. Kitties are furry bundles of goodness!
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisCats need us, and we need cats.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisFor happiness, for comfort, for utilities (mice catching), and for some other things I am sure. I am also sure that cat's have the same sentiments for sharing their lives with Humans.
This is probably true with every living species on the planet. You learn how to get along and share.
I happen to think that Man's closest pets, like dogs and cats are close to us because they are very similar in an evolutionary sense. We identify with our dogs and cats and pet mice and more or less treat them like we would a human.
On the other hand, we make quick splatters out of cockroaches. So... the knot still remains. :P
I also think it's pretty cool how we, humans, tend to communicate with every species of animal on the planet. I guess, the one's with the best response to our prodding and prying are our closest companions.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisIt's hard to talk to an alligator and easy to talk to your cat.
Maybe we'll turn into a human/cat creature in the future. I am sure of it! We will.
All animals are motivated by the desire for food. One can expect that is most especially honed in the carnivores, the top predators, the cats. Dogs are omnivores, and although excellent hunters are not quite as focussed on meat i.e. dead things. Nevertheless food and starvation motivate all animals especially the hunters. The cat has many tricks up its sleeve as the other people have posted. It has a large complement of facial muscles which enable it to look absolutely adorable just before it pounces on your pet budgie. My cats can open fridge and cupboards so I have had to put locks on them, and they vocalize and manipulate. But although entirely capable of complete independence put them together and they will groom and interact with almost the full complement of emotions, like lions, who turn from loving pride member to deadly killer in almost an instant. Even the small brain size is for efficiency at the kill no doubt, but also because unlike dogs they are solitary in the wild rather than social animals needing large brains. But we have made them social, so they adapt to that situation, and we are a very important part of their pride. Does anyone have a jealous cat? These are complex loving adaptable killers.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisThe article's point is that cats and other "pets" are still driven to develop survival strategies. To lapse into "pet owner prejudices" is ridiculous.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisI prefer dogs over cats any day - but I've observed some pretty intelligent and likable cats. One young woman I knew had a very timid cat which would hide whenever visitors came into the house. I don't particularly like cats - so everyone including me and the cat's owner was amazed to see this cat come out from hiding every time I visited. It (a female) would come right to where I was sitting and hop into my lap. Everyone KNEW this cat sensed my antipathy and had developed a scheme to deal with me. The same cat would come into her owner's bedroom and lie on the woman's stomach when she had a stomach ache or stomach upset - a "healing gesture" as well as an accurate psychic diagnosis! '
So to me, merely purring at a given frequency is but a small sample of what cats (and all animals) are capable of doing.
Native Americans have known for thousands of years that humans have a special relationship with animals. The rest of us are just late comers to this realization.
Dogs too. Our 5 year old Chihuahua has specific "barks" for treats, attention and the oddest one, to put her up on the bed. The bed one was the first time I noticed a dramatic difference in the way she verbalizes to us for specific reasons.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisThe article means housecats that are stuck indoors, with little access to water and food that we don't give them. Not housecats as a species.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisMine figured out that batting the keys I hang (or used to) from front door knob does the job.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisMy cat figured out that batting at and making keys hung on door knob (used to) to the trick.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisDig the love in these comments.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisI was expecting, dogs rule, cats suck responses.
Animals Rule!
gothceltgirl; I think what they are referring to is a combo meow/purr, something a lot of cats do for food, sometimes attention. Our current cat is Very vocal, will respond as long as you call back, or satisfy him. Doesn't purr much or loudly. Their language seems to be an expression of feelings or mood, rather than specifics. Sometimes it is a location call (where are you? I am here), sometimes a protest, sometimes a request for attention (let me out!). I've seen our cat totally ignore his name being called outside, but then immediately come running to a "meow" call. Works for me. I think that they don't so much "train us" as "use whatever it takes" or "whatever works" to get what they want. Lucky for us, their wants are relatively simple.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisWe are slaves to our pets. The control us with a particular purr or whine and we bow to their bidding. How pathetic. Because of an insecure need for some kind of companionship we pick up their poop, pay exorbitant Vet and prescription fees, groom them, feed them, and do other disgusting and expensive things. Its like having a child that doesn't grow up and then dies after 12 to 20 years.That doesn't seem too rewarding. Pass on the pet department. Don't get me wrong. I love animals. When you have them. I have a lot more freedom , less responsibility, more money and my house smells better without fido or kitty. Now that I found out that they manipulate people, well, that just seals the deal. NO PETS FOR ME!
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisEnjoy your shorter lifespan and choosing between utter solitude or having to deal with the fickle, selfish whims of other people, Petless.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisAs for me, thank goodness my happiness isn't hindered by a messy house or the strenuous effort of snagging kitty treats off the top of the fridge.
I'm guessing the sound they're talking about is similar to the "prrrmmuE?" sound my cats favor - what's most impressive to me is the way they seem to have picked up on how strongly we react to intonation. The 'solicitation purring' always ends on a higher note in my house, making it sound questioning.
sangambayard-c-m.com
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisMy beloved tux uses all the tricks, a real vocalist deluxe - the 'embedded' meow, the endearing prrtPRRTprrtPRRT, the prrrmyowyow? and the fading-away, nearly dead of starvation micro-mew. And I am a total sucker for all of it!
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisOne of our cats loves to play with a laser pointer. When he wants to play, he approaches me, gives out a very clear "rah-rah" and waits for me to respond. It is the only time he makes this particular sound. I am well trained.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisMy mom's old cat meowed like that towards her own kittens, though, when she couldn't find them.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisI don't think it's necessarily to mimic babies--it could just be the sound that they make when they're upset and want affection. I also don't think it's that strange that humans can subconsciously figure that out.
We manage to figure out what it means when a dog whimpers just fine.
As long as you take good care of your pet they will always care for you in return.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisI heard this veterinary pet clinic http://clemmonsveterinary.com that provides comprehensive veterinary care for Dogs, Cats, and Small Pets such as Vaccinations & Preventive Care, Illness & Injury Care, Surgery and Internal Medicine, Dentistry, Radiology and Microchipping.
this is what I tell my wife all the time with our dogs, but she always does what they want :)
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisthis is what I tell my wife all the time with our dogs, but she always does what they want <a href="http://www.thehansonlawfirm.com" target="_blank">:)</a>
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisHopefully these findings can solve our " problem" too and we can have some more sleep.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to this