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Think Cats Are Aloof? You May Be to Blame, Says Study

Think Cats Are Aloof? You May Be to Blame, Says Study

Updated On January 25th, 2019

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Reviewed By Monica Weymouth

Cats have a reputation for being independent. Some may even say “aloof” (or worse).

But according to [a new study](http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0376635718300998?via%3Dihub), it’s humans, not cats, who are to blame for the antisocial interactions.

After studying cats in both shelters and home environments, researchers at Oregon State University concluded that “domestic cats detect human attentional state and modify their behavior in response.”

Translation? It's not them, it's you. If you find cats standoffish, it might be a reflection of your own behavior.

The researchers conducted two experiments. For the first, 46 cats were each placed in a room with a stranger. Half were shelter cats, while the other half were pets in their own homes. After ignoring the cat for the first two minutes of the experiment, the person then called the cat by name and offered pets when approached.

For the second experiment, the same process was repeated using cats with their owners at home.

Perhaps not surprisingly, the cats spent more time near people when people were being attentive. When ignored, cats kept their distance.

There was no difference observed between cats interacting with strangers at home and cats interacting with their owners at home. In each experiment, cats kept to themselves when ignored, then moved closer when called to and shown affection.

Shelter cats, however, were more likely than owned cats to attempt to interact with inattentive humans, suggesting that a lack of social opportunities made them more willing to seek attention.

Ultimately, the researchers questioned [previous studies](http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0135109) suggesting that cats are socially independent. Instead, they suggest that cats, much like humans, are socially flexible and respond to environmental cues.

[Forming strong bonds](http://www.petcoach.co/article/7-ways-to-bond-with-your-cat/) is an important part of keeping your cat happy and healthy. To strengthen your relationship with your pet, consider the following: 

  • Make time for playtime. One of the best ways to bond with your cat is to [play](http://www.petcoach.co/article/7-reasons-to-play-with-your-cat/). Playtime is physically and mentally stimulating for cats, so it’s important to have a couple sessions per day. Try [feathery wand toys](https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/category/cat/cat-toys/cat-teasers-and-wands?ref=ThinkCatsAreAloof_PetCoachEcomm) that mimic “hunting” or challenging [feeder toys](https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/category/cat/cat-toys/interactive-toys/games-and-puzzles?ref=ThinkCatsAreAloof_PetCoachEcomm). 
  • Give him a pet. Whether your cat lives in your lap or prefers a little more space, be sure to offer regular pets. Most cats enjoy being pet on the top of the head, side of the neck and along the back. (But you’ll probably want to [avoid the belly](http://www.petcoach.co/article/do-cats-like-belly-rubs/).) 
  • Brush regularly. Rather than simply petting, try [brushing your cat](http://www.petcoach.co/article/new-cat-survival-guide-tips-for-grooming/). Many cats find it relaxing, and it’s good for the skin and coat. Additionally, it’s an opportunity to examine your cat for any new lumps or bumps.
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Related Questions

I have a cat that as a kitten was very ill. We got him from 7 months old. We knew he’d had cat flu prior to him coming here. He is now nearly 5 yrs old. He picks huge fights with our other cat. He keeps urinating and scratching at doors and windows around the house. We allow him to go out via the cat flap unlimited. What is happening to him

I'm glad to see that Pippin has been neutered because this eliminates that possibility of hormone-fueled behavioral changes and aggression. Behavioral changes in cats can occur at any point in time, and could be related to anxiety or stressful situations (even rearranging furniture or introducing new people to the home can be stressful to cats). Without a lot more information and observing Pippin's behaviors, I can't precisely tell you why these changes are occurring. It may be best to consult a veterinary behaviorist in your home so that they can observe everything firsthand. You can also try using calming pheromone collars or diffusers (Feliway is one example), and discussing the use of anxiety medication with Pippin's vet. I hope that all goes well!

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Cats can develop what's called diabetic neuropathy, where their hindlegs become progressively weak. The best thing to do is try to get his diabetes under control as quickly as possible. Here is a link describing the conditon: http://www.diabeticcatcare.com/DCCCOK/Neuropathy.htm

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A good first step, if you haven't already, is to rule out any health issues with your vet such as arthritis that may be causing the accidents. Secondly, making sure none of the other cats are bullying her away from the litter box may also alert you to any issues. Thirdly, a good enzymatic cleaner may help reduce the smell/discourage use of these areas in the future. That said, if you've done the above and the issue is still happening, it's probably time to call in a veterinary or animal behaviorist that can visit in person to see what may be going on. They may be able to check for stressors that could be causing the accidents where they are, look for issues with refusal to defecate in the box, or see if there is a cycle that is happening that is triggering this reaction. From there they may be able to set up a more tailored plan to help reduce the accidents and encourage use of the litter box at all times. If you're in the US, you can use this website to help find someone available in your area: https://www.dacvb.org/page/about

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Seeing your vet ASAP is definitely a good idea to make sure there isn't an impaction causing the severe constipation that may need an enema or stool softeners to resolve. In the meantime, you can try offering a little bland yogurt to try and help the soften the stool, as well as make sure he's drinking plenty of water by mixing some into his food, but if Booboo is in severe distress, hasn't passed any stool at all, or is having other symptoms such as abdominal pain or stops eating, you should seek out veterinary care from your vet or a local ER clinic immediately.

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