Cats 'exploit' humans by purring

BBC News ^ | July 13, 2009 | Victoria Gill

[dragonblustar]

Cat owners may have suspected as much, but it seems our feline friends have found a way to manipulate us humans.

Researchers at the University of Sussex have discovered that cats use a "soliciting purr" to overpower their owners and garner attention and food. Unlike regular purring, this sound incorporates a "cry", with a similar frequency to a human baby's.

The team said cats have "tapped into" a human bias - producing a sound that humans find very difficult to ignore.

[Made In The USA]

And Obamma uses a cheesy smile and ‘hopey changey’ slogans.

[mudblood]

I’m being exploited by everyone!

[vpintheak]

Kill all kitties!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[dragonblustar]

Personally, I don’t think kitties sound like democrats at all...

[OldDeckHand]

As Rush states so brilliantly, “Dogs have Masters. Cats have staff.” Apparently, they’ve adopted a particularly feline approach to get their staff to heel.

[dragonblustar]

[Oldpuppymax]

A cry? Hell, dogs have been doing that forever.

[Bryanw92]

The cats on my desk say that this is story is a lie...

..and now I feel the need to go feed them.

[SJSAMPLE]

Strippers do the exact same thing.

Where’s my wallet?

[AnotherUnixGeek]

I remember reading something about this quite a while ago - that the adult cat's "meow" is not a sound they use to communicate with other cats. It's meant to appeal to people, apparently - and it sounds as close to a baby's cry as they can make it. This might explain why cats tend to be more popular with women than men (I like them because they're not nearly as demanding to keep as dogs).

Fascinating example of adaptation - the noises kittens use to call to their mothers apparently are carried on into adulthood because they still serve a purpose - to make us feed them or pet them. Probably not seen in any member of the cat family except for domestic cats.

[DJ MacWoW]

Some “researchers” have too much free time. I didn’t see them mention that cats also purr when in pain as it helps them heal.

[dragonblustar]

I’ve heard my cat meow a few times and it’s remarkably similar to a baby’s cry.

[dragonblustar]

I wonder if they’ve used government funding for their research?

[Hoffer Rand]

My daughter is currently being exploited by a pair of Russian Blues. I have tried to rescue her from this dire situation by offering to relocate the abusers to my house, but she apparently has Stockholm Syndrome and refuses to allow that.

[Overtaxed]

My cat does the Jedi mind trick.

[Petronski]

I know all about that stuff...
I been exploited all my life.

[DJ MacWoW]

Probably. Although a university biology dept could also have a grant from alumnus.

[Lucky9teen]

Sometimes when my cat meows....it sounds like she’s saying “Meowlk” (milk) She’s begging for milk.

[Lucky9teen]