Your Cat Is Manipulating You - Here's How

Scientific Blogging ^ | July 13th 2009 | News Staff

[decimon]

The phrase 'like herding cats' resonates with people for a reason; it's difficult to get them to do anything they don't already want to do.

But they have no problem getting humans to do their bidding, according to a report published in Current Biology, which shows that even biologists are concerned about future feline-human relations.

It seems crafty felines accelerate the filling of food dishes by sending a mixed signal: an urgent meowing coupled with an otherwise pleasant purr. Humans find it annoying and difficult to ignore. It's not April 1st or December so calibrate your belief accordingly.

[SunkenCiv]

I've considered adding that one to the templates I use for the String Theory ping list. I already use this one from time to time.

[HungarianGypsy]

My cats get me to fill their bowl more than usual by disappearing in the house. I give them food, so I can do a cat count.

[Tunehead54]

Thanks! The “shaking trick” worked great! I usually throw out the “old” food from this am and give him “fresh” food in the pm - before his Fancy Feast - Shredded salmon can ... for dinner. Heh! Wonder how long I can fool him? ;-)

[Slings and Arrows]

[Loud Mime]

Wow......never saw a warning.

[republicangel]

I was awakened this morning with a swift punch in the back of the head. No claws, just a whap. I’m not quite sure how she can do that and I’m still in a good mood. Lol It must be all of the sweet purring that she does at the same time.

[Fresh Wind]

DOGS RULE! DROOL!

[Mercat]

Oh my gosh... we just adopted a five year old mini dachshund and he runs our life! But he’s sooooo cute.

[CottonBall]

The humans who "own" cats are not as smart as either (hee hee).

Nah, it's that we like a challenge. You have to earn a cat's respect (and love). So it's so much the sweeter when you get it.

[CottonBall]

You can tell which animals are smart and which are not when it comes time to clip their toenails. We have one cat who disappears whenever you go near the drawer that has the tonail clippers, another cat who will leave the room when they come out, and the stupid dog who will come around to see what all the fuss is about.

So true. My smartest cat (and I know she's the smartest because she has trained me to give her treats when she does tricks) will hide when I get out the grooming supplies, go to the frig to get the stuff for cleaning their eyes, or when we are packing the cooler and taking boxes to the car (that's when we go to the cabin and take the cats with us). The middle smartest one is leery and doesn't let us catch her easily, but hasn't figured out to hide early. The last one is either not that bright or is mellow, because he doesn't seem to notice or care. I think he's some of each.

I have to do the same order as you when grooming - the smartest goes first because if she sees the others being groomed, she'll hide. And she finds different places to hide all the time, which I think is pretty smart for a cat.

[NFOShekky]

Ditto. . .followed shortly by the “just enough claw to let you know I have them” tap. If anyone would have told me pre-cat that I would have put up with this I would have laughed!

My cat wakes me every morning by purring and tapping my lip with her paw(claws in safe mode)

[italianquaker]

funny right

[BlueNgold]

This is why I’m a dog guy...
Cat’s are evil.

[LiberConservative]

My two are the only creatures in the universe that can manipulate me and not make me angry.