The cats They are very independent animals. Their owners do not work to pay rent, but to pay the cat. In fact, it could be said that they share a flat with them. They don’t give that unconditional love that you might expect from dogs, but they are there when you need them. They are different furry friends, but friends nonetheless. In addition, we now know that although sometimes it seems that they ignore us, in reality they do they listen to us. Enough to know the names from other pets and humans living in the same house.
This is the conclusion of a study published in Scientific Reports for japanese scientists. In it twelve cats participated residents in private homes or in the famous cat cafes of Japan. Some were used to living with many animals or with large human families. Others were more used to few people and feline companions. But, to a greater or lesser extent, most knew the names of his companions.
Yes, it is true that the study should be repeated with a largest number of participants in order to confirm the results. However, those that have been obtained so far are solid enough to be able to consider that, although sometimes it may not seem like it, our cats do listen to us. As long as to remember what we say.
Cats that remember the names of their companions
The study in question was carried out with a very simple procedure. In the first part, the cats were taught the image of a living cat and in the background you heard a human voice pronouncing either his real name or a false name. The time the cats spent looking at the screen was measured and it was found to be greater if a fictitious name was used, possibly because they were surprised by the inconsistency. However, this effect was greater in cats residing in private homes. Possibly, it is because in cafes they interact with so many cats that it is more difficult for them to listen and remember their names.
In the second part of the experiment, the same was done, but with humans. One of the people they live with was shown on the screen, while someone spoke her real name or a fake one. They looked at the picture again more time if there was something wrong with them.
But in this case the effect was greater when they lived in the house. more people or they had been living with them longer. This makes sense, because if there are many people living in the same household it is easier than cats listen to the names. For example, if we live alone with our furry friend, he may never know what we are called, because he will not hear anyone say our name. Perhaps to the visits, but it would be something punctual. However, if we live as a family, they will have that opportunity, especially if they have been with us for a long time.
In the background they listen to us
All this shows that, indeed, our cats listen to us. They may seem to pass us by, like their mothers’ teenage sons. But just as it was recently shown that cats don’t actually look down on their parents, it seems our cats don’t either. They are just animals a lot more independent than other pets, such as dogs.
In fact, that independence also makes it difficult for scientists to study them. For example, in this study its authors acknowledge that one of the participating cats ran out of the room before finishing testing.
We pay their rent and live with them because they let us. If scientists can study them, it will be because they let them. But at least now we know that they don’t just hear us. They also listen to us and pay enough attention to us to remember our names, both us and the rest of the pets and humans who live with them. Should we repeat the experiment with more cats? Yes, but this is already a very good sign.