Pet expert shares manipulative way cats secretly 'train' humans
Cat owners might think their pets are just showing affection or want to strike up a conversation - but a meow may mean something else
Cats see and understand lot more than most give them credit for
(Image: Suzanne Marshall via Getty Images )
Being your pet's favourite might feel like a privilege, but according to a pet behaviourist, it could come with certain conditions. Amanda Campion, a clinical animal behaviourist who has spent decades studying the lives and mannerisms of cats, claims that a cat's communication can reveal much about its perception of the world.
In a TikTok video, she explained: "Your cat might talk your ear off, but ignores everyone else - there's a reason. Meowing is a learnt behaviour and it's actually a way of [cats] communicating with a human. Very rarely will cats meow to each other, saving them for us humans."
Even in a bustling household full of people, if your cat consistently seeks you out and meows, it's not necessarily a sign of affection, she said. Instead, it's their unique and rather manipulative method of training you, she claims.
Amanda said: "Cats will very often train one human that they have found out gives them the best results from that meow. So, if it's you that they are often meowing at, and not your partner, then it is because you've delivered quick and fast results, whereas your partner hasn't."
The pet expert also noted that people who engage in 'conversations' with their cats tend to have more interactive relationships, reports the Express. She added: "They might associate your scent and your voice with feeding and with care."
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Amanda suggested that by making your feline companions feel secure, they are more likely to engage in conversation with you. She noted that the variety in a cat's tone can be "subtle", yet with careful observation, it becomes obvious that cats often have a distinct "voice" for different people they interact with.
Not all cat types are equally vocal. While all cats can meow, purr, hiss, and growl, some breeds are known for being more vocal than others - such as Siamese, Oriental shorthairs and Burmese cats, according to Animal Friends Pet Insurance.
Cat owners were eager to share their own stories in the comments section. One joked: "So what you're telling me is my cat considers me the primary servant over my husband?" Another added: "Makes sense! Mine has trained me well!" A third shared: "OMG yes! They beg my partner for food but never beg me!"
Your cat might be 'training you' if it does this
(Image: Getty )
Why is my cat meowing so much?
According to Cats Protection, the amount of meowing your cat is doing might signal something wrong. The charity adds: "Cats rarely have a change in behaviour for no reason".
Guidance suggested observing the cat's body language if it's meowing more than usual. A spokesperson said: "If their ears are turned out to the side or back, rather than relaxed and facing forwards, that's a sign that they may be feeling anxious. If the eyes and pupils are wide, they might be worried."
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They further recommended: "If you have noticed a change in the type or frequency of sounds your cat is making, it is best to take them to the vet to rule out any underlying health problems."
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