Ever wondered if your cat actually listens when you talk to them? Or if it’s better to sweet-talk your kitty or just give them a slow blink from across the room? Scientists have asked the same questions, and now we have some answers.
A study explored whether cats are more responsive to what we say (vocal cues) or what we do (visual cues). The researchers expected that cats would prefer voices over visuals, but—surprise!—our feline friends had other ideas.
Talk or Look? Cats Have a Clear Favorite
In the study, cats were exposed to four different human behaviors:
- Vocal-only: The person talked to the cat without making eye contact.
- Visual-only: The person used friendly gestures, but stayed silent.
- Bimodal: A combination of talking and visual gestures.
- No communication: The person stayed still and quiet.
The result? Cats approached faster and more confidently when the person made eye contact or used friendly gestures, especially when combined with talking. They felt more at ease with visual cues or a mix of both. But when the human just talked without looking, or didn’t interact at all, cats hesitated:(Why? Possibly because a person speaking without looking feels confusing or unnatural to cats. Like… why is this person calling me but ignoring me with their eyes? Pretty suspicious, if you ask us.
Tail Tells and Frustrated Flicks
Researchers also watched for physical signs of cat feelings. One big clue? The tail.
When the person said nothing, cats showed more tail wagging, which in cat-speak often means frustration or unease. They also wagged their tails more in response to just-voice communication compared to the combo of talking and visual gestures.
So if your cat’s tail is twitching while you chat away? They might be wondering why you’re talking at them instead of with them.
So, Should I Stop Talking to My Cat?
Absolutely not. In fact, cats are unique in the animal kingdom because they’ve developed meows specifically to communicate with humans, not with other cats! But when it comes to deciding whether to approach a stranger, cats seem to put more weight on what they can see rather than what they can hear.
Just like how dogs often learn hand signals faster than spoken commands, cats may find human gestures more straightforward—especially when coming from someone they don’t know well.
That said, your own cat probably does understand your voice pretty well. So if you’ve got a strong bond with your kitty, those bedtime chats still matter. This might explain why foster cats like Percy and Kingsley have blossomed in their foster homes. Percy’s a champion head-booper who perks up the moment his foster mom says his name, and Kingsley melts into his bed the minute you sit nearby and give him a slow blink. Once trust is built, those little interactions speak volumes.
Want to see this in real life?
Cats like Percy and Kingsley are looking for homes where kind voices and calm gestures help them continue to thrive!