Thanks to the Tails From the Foster Kittens blog, I found yet another glaring example of how humans, especially scientific humans, just do not understand cats. This study, published in Volume 7, Issue 6 of the Journal of Veterinary Behaviour (November 2012), finds that breed cats are friendlier than your average non-breed cat (you know, your everyday domestic shorthair found at most rescues, shelters, or possibly cadging for a bit of dinner on your back doorstep). Even more hilarious, they hypothesize that the reason breed cats are “friendlier” is because they generally stay with their mothers longer than non-breed cats. I would be rolling on the floor, MOLing if this study hadn’t been picked up by several news services and spread all over the internet!
These scientists have it all wrong, and the fact that it has been publicized risks discouraging humans from adopting perfectly happy, friendly non-breed cats from shelters. Those humans should have their scientific licenses revoked, or whatever needs to be done to make them seek other means of making a living… hopefully far, far away from cats.
Even a kitty knows that scientific study involves not only researching data, but also asking the right questions. And the wrong questions were asked here. The scientists were wondering if the perception of cats being aloof was true (which, duh, it isn’t), and whether it mattered if the cat was a breed cat or not. What they needed to ask, once they gathered their information, was “Why did the study’s participants cite their breed cats as friendlier, while humans with non-breed cats said they were not as friendly?” Because the truth is that underneath our fur or lack of it, kitty genetics are pretty similar, no matter the breed or not-breed!
As a cat expert — and a cat — here is the pure, honest, real scientific truth about how affection and friendliness develops in a cat. It is two-part — one you humans can’t always control and one you can: a kitten’s affinity for humans is developed in the first few weeks of its life, and after that by the expectations of the humans around them. It is that simple, and it is true regardless of whether a cat is purebred or not.
For kitten to be human-friendly, it helps if her mother likes humans first off, because kittens learn their initial lessons from their mother. And in addition, it helps if the kittens have human contact right from the start. The more pleasant interactions a kitten has with humans, the friendlier she will be. Logical, no? This is partly why the humans in the study said their breed cats were friendly — they were taught to be. And these humans expected the cats they paid money for to be friendly, and they gave them more attention and love.
And what about the humans with the less-friendly non-breed cats? Could it possibly be that they expected a lot less out of their cats? Were they thinking they could have a low maintenance pet that would spend its day sleeping on the couch and that they did not need to spend much time interacting with it? So could it be possible that their cats were less friendly because these humans didn’t spend all that much time with their cats to begin with? Why, yes it could!
Many humans who get breed cats are more educated about how to interact with cats than humans who just “happen” onto a non-breed cat. So in reality, the study should have been more about the humans, and how to make them friendlier to their cats!
I think most humans who come to my blog already understand the fallacy of this so-called study. So if you are a human reading this, could you please do me a favor and help spread the word that most of us kitties, breed or non-breed, are perfectly nice, friendly companions — as long as humans are friendly and give us some quality time? Thank you!
*pedigreed
*cats
Hey guys, we adopt cars now!
My mommy says the following: With all due respect, I have to disagree. If this study is accurate, it still presents no reason not to adopt.
The figures are, I believe, percentages. There are far more moggies in the world than there are pedigrees. Therefor, even if a pesigreed cats are “friendlier” overall, there is actually a far higher number overall of friendly non-pedigreed cats.
That said, people tend to adopt the friendliest cars they see at a shelter, so unless you adopt potential “problem” cats, your view on non-pedigreed cats is going to be a bit skewed.
I think the percentage can be accounted for by a mix of genetics-influenced behavior and the amount of human handling during early childhood. Furthermore, because of cat shows, there’s stronger motivation to socialize pedigreed cats, which might also account for their apparent friendliness.
In fact, or wouldn’t surprise me if the “friendliness score” of pedigreed cats actually increased if the scientists cut all pedigrees not from a responsible breeder from the program, so much so that I think “from a good breeder” and “(potential) byb/mill kitty” should be separate categories. I would be very interested in seeing the results, and maybe (if my hypothesis is correct) it will encourage people to shun pet shops and breeders that are just looking to make a quick buck.
(I’ve never owned a pedigreed cat myself, and all my kitties have been wonderful, but it just seems logical to me)
“Were they thinking they could have a low maintenance pet that would spend its day sleeping on the couch and that they did not need to spend much time interacting with it? So could it be possible that their cats were less friendly because these humans didn’t spend all that much time with their cats to begin with? Why, yes it could!”
Eejits. Absolute, unadulterated, ignorant, stupid EEJITS.
And begging YRH’s pardon, but RESCUED is our favorite “breed”. All of our beloved cats (those of specific or unspecific look and possible geneaology) have always been RESCUED. And friendly is as friendly does. You get out what you put in, right, Your Highness? <3
Applause, applause, applause!
Well written Sparkle.
It is sad that you can find a study to prove or disprove pretty much anything you want these days. Want to eat butter, there are studies that say it is awesome, want to avoid butter, there are studies that say it will kill you to even look at it.
It isn’t so much the information, but how it was gathered and what questions were and weren’t ask.
but like you, I think what stinks most about the article / study is that all it does is harm moggies.
Sparkle,
Yous is right on! Purrhaps “those” researchers should check and sees if Purebred humans is friendlier than your everyday human.
Hrrrumph!
Kisses
Nellie
Interesting post. All three of my cats are rescues (rescued at 4 months, 6 months and 12+ years.) I have no idea what their life was like before they came to live with me- but all three are now friendly and social. Two of the three are mixed breed cats, and they are equally as friendly as the (suspected) purebred cat. I think it does have more to do with how you as a human interact with your furry friends. The one that was rescued at 4 months had papers from the rescue that said he was feral and they weren’t sure he would ever be socialized. Now he is a BIG suck, that I call my portable hug. He can not get enough human company and is always very close by. Nurture….not nature I think….
Mommy’s always said that you get from an animal (and everything else) what you put in. If you are friendly to your cat, it will be friendly to you. All of us kitties are nice because we are well-treated. Purrrrrrrrrrrrrrs.
we wish we could read the actual article. What we read from your links, Sparkle, that study doesn’t seem very scientific. Their hypothesis made us mol too 🙂
Pip, Smidgen, Minnie, Hollie
Hello Sparkle!
I really enjoyed this post and as a fellow pet educator and rescuer, I agree this will hurt the adoption rate of cats.
This is why you’re an award winning author. You are a true professional that stays current with studies. You raised many valid points. As a marketing professional, it’s important to read the specifics of the study and ask the right questions. Different variables, will skew the results. I’ve known Siamese cats that were terrors and feral cats that now rub against my legs and demand that I pet them. I think more studies are warranted. But really, why spend money and energy on these type of studies. With cats, regular attention and affection and they will reciprocate. Cats mirror their owners. If we ignore them, they ignore us. If we shower them with affection, eventually they will reciprocate.
Christine Michaels
TBT here: Oh drat, this has caused an uproar in the house , setting Marley against Ayla and Iza! Ayla and Iza, being purebreeds, say that they are DESIGNED to be attached to us people. Marley claims that general cats are healthier and so attach themselves to us people more from love than genetics
They are all looking to ME for a decision.
You look in the dictionary for “awkward” and you will see my picture with 3 demanding cats around me… What SHOULD I say?
Sparkle, This is SOOOOOOOO unfortunate! These are stoopid and irresponsible Humans and they deserves to have all their grant money and fancy lab coats ripped right away from them. STOOPID!
Now, all that said, I gotta very gently point out that you said, “The scientists were wondering if the perception of cats being aloof was true (which, duh, it isn’t)….” Well, speak for yourself, Sister. Heh heh.
Sparkle, you are soooo right with your very wise view! Our Mommy has raised 22 cats up to now so she is a pretty good in our opinion of how wonderful mixed breeds are just as wonderful as pure breeds.
It is all about the pawrent or caregiver how a kitty’s demeanor developed. Also their health plays a big part in their behavior such as poor oral health. Our Cherokee hid all the time and was afraid of everything till Mommy got a good photo of him yawning. She got calming meds from the vet, spiked his food then took him in for dental care. After he healed he became a totally different cat. He was calm, friendly and began to play. Mommy wonders why rescue places don’t check cats mouths because it can make a BIG difference in how a rescue becomes a success. Cherokee was sent back by the first adopters because of his hiding. Mommy says those scientist must have found their degrees from a cracker jack box!!!
BTW…..Hi Sparkle!!!!=^Y^=
Cats, are well, cats! And humans? Meh.
Just because a cat is a breed cat does not mean it will be friendly–it depends on the individual cat, genetics, and handling. I have a friend who has had three breed cats (will not mention the breed as I do not want hate mail and it was not the fault of the cats) and only one of them was somewhat social–the breeders apparently did not place too much importance on purrsonality. The breed cats (Somalis) I have are fabulous with people and everyone is very surprised by this, but the breeder felt that a good temperament is very important. They also imported different bloodlines to add genetic diversity to try to deal with health problems associated with the breed. That is what good breeders do–they try to improve the breed.
I also have rescue kitties and a feral. You get as much out of your relationship with a cat as you are willing to give to it. Actually, you get a lot more. But an effort has to be made on the human’s part, and it is very daunting to be held in judgment by a cat and be found “wanting” or be deemed “unworthy”. A cat will give you the chance to prove your worth, but it will take work on your part! A lot of humans are lazy and needy and it is all about them, so they won’t make an effort to do or to learn anything! Might that be why I prefer the company of cats???!!!
Well you know I will spread the word far and wide every single day! Great post Sparkle!
I’m with Ms Stella O…I would have been way more nasty catty! Seriously, there is more I want to know about how this study was set up, what were their questions…and then I slapped my face with my paw…and said…SELF!!! WHO CARES???? If the peeps are warm and cuddly then we will work our way toward that…end of study
You are so wise, Sparkle!…Our Mommy thinks rescued kitties always seem to know they have been saved and tend to appreciate their human…We think all kitties are awesome!…Happy weekend, sweet friends…xoxo…Calle, Halle, Sukki
You handled this very touchy subject admirably!
I would have been lots more catty!
xoxo
Ms. Stella O’Houligan
Well Waffles Too is proof that a little orange stray born outside is the FRIENDLIEST kitty I’ve ever met. (shhhh…don’t tell Katie…she doesn’t need to hear this right now) Everyone in our Vet’s office is calling him the poster kitty of Westgate Vet Clinic. He’s not pure bred, but he’s pure sweet.
Do you think it’s the maple syrup???
; ) Glogirly
We agree, Sparkle! The conclusions of that study seem pretty flawed to us, too. Those scientists need to come and meet Sammy! He’s like the KING of friendliness.
What a load of BS!!! I in fact have never encountered an aloof cat, even on the street they are friendly, curious and approachable. Most of the cats in my life have been non-breeds but I had an Abyssinian when I was a teenager…and let me just say for the record they were all loving and devoted companions, not an aloof one in the bunch.
Mommy would like to comment on the fact that scientists are weird and NOT to be trusted, especially with facts.
She knows, she is one!
Love your reply! So honest!
The publicist says that while she has never had a full on breed cat – she has only had strays and Sherpa – she has had a LOT of cats in her life. The male person shudders at the number.
She has had lap cats and cats that didn’t care if she existed except for providing food. She has had cats the want a pet now and then and cats that wouldn’t leave her side. She has had cats that hissed any time she tried to pet them but she persisted. She has had cats that would sit next to her but not on her. She has had cats that would ignore her but sit in the male person’s lap.
Cats are cats. Kittens are something else altogether.
I saw the article at Connie’s blog, too. I agree, the study shoud have focused on humans around kitties too.
What a bunch of hogwash! The study was probably done by dog people, since they were looking at which cats are friendlier. If you want an animal as a friend you get a dog! If you want an animal that will consider requests and respond as it likes (otherwise known as ignoring) then you get a cat.
The ‘unfriendliness’ of cats is what I like! When my cats come to sit on my lap, or sleep with me or otherwise show affection I know it is because they WANT to, not because they have been trained to do it. They are very independent, but also very loving. I wonder what the researchers meant by using the word friendly?
We were thinking that it would depend upon which breed they studied and if they happened to get a particularly friendly breed or several of those then it would probably skew the studies. The personality of every breed is not the same. Even cats within the breed are not the same. I am certainly much more one person oriented than the Siamese who came before. She would have been considered very friendly. I am less so. My human tends to think that on average boy cats are friendlier than girl cats, not matter where they come from…
BRAVA! Now our Chizzy was the exception. The peeps watched him being born to a tamed stray that fed and gave shelter too. Chizzy was held from very early on; from the time Sissy gave her permission. He turned out to be meaner than I’ll ever be. Gramma took him in and he menaced her to the point she had to walk around with a wrapping paper tube to fend him off.
I think my Aunt’s shelter may be onto something, as well as some other shelters. They give ALL the cats breed names because most of us are mixed breeds. If the shelter had a sign saying a was a Russian Blue, I would’ve flown out of there.
On a different note, did you hear my set of “classic rock” last night? I played classic NYC rock from the VU and NY Dolls through Grandmaster Flash. I’ll bet that was the first time Richard Hell was played at Nipclub.
Are you a Russian Blue mix, CK? Now that I think of it, your fur does look like it. My fursib Frangi is grey and white but the grey part looks like a Russian Blue, we think.
Actually…I think the researchers are correct. In fact, you’ve inspired an article for my blog with this, because this is actually what I tell people when they ask me why Jake is so tolerant and patient, unlike “most cats.”
I’ll have a great long thing on “Serious Sunday” with scientific links and all, but this is actually a subject I’ve read a lot on, as it’s near and dear to my heart: feline genetics. But there’s a couple of factors that do make purebred cats tend to be more human-oriented than random-bred cats:
There have been many studies on dogs being more closely attuned to humans because of their close association and selective breeding over the centuries; dogs look where your eyes go and can read subtle cues that even apes can’t, for example. But dogs have been selectively bred by humans for over 12,000 years, and that selectivity is the key: the parents were selected by humans to produce puppies that would have some quality the human wanted to develop. Cats, meanwhile, chose to become domesticated about 6,000 later, but even while becoming domesticated, they weren’t selectively bred the way other domestic animals were. Cats, for the most part, chose their own mates; they didn’t have their mates chosen for them to produce a certain type of offspring.
At least, not until the mid-1800’s, when the cat fancy started and humans started developing breeds of cats. Even then, many of the breeds were based on a simple physical genetic mutation rather than on personality (long hair for the Persian, curly hair for the Rexes, no tails for the Manx, stubby tails for the Japanese Bobtails, and partial, thermo-restrictive albinism for the Siamese). Of the three oldest recognised breeds of cats, Persian, Siamese and Abyssinian, only one is not based on a physical mutation so much as its based on temperament (guess which one)?
Also, many breeds have allowed outcrosses to random-bred cats that meet the breed standard during their development – even now, this is allowed with some breeds.
But the older breeds of purebred cats, I believe, have or are developing the same attachment to humans that dogs have, so yes Abys, Siamese and Persians are more personable and friendly then your average random-bred cat
Another factor is that kittens tend to take the personality of their fathers even though they don’t know who they are. Stud cats are hard to keep and there are fewer of them than there are breeding queens, and because of this, they’re generally hand-picked to be the “best” cats. Stud cats are highly “selected” and one of the traits they’re chosen for is their personality. The kittens inherit this friendlieness, and the males selected from this generation to pass on their genetic material will be the most personable of these kittens.
Okay! Sorry to hijack your post…but…thank you for the link!!!
As a cat educator, Im interested in reading your post. Will have to note a reminder to visit your blog on Sunday. Have a great weekend!
Christine
I just shared this all over and tweeted and g+’d Sparkle–Baby told me if I didn’t she’d love bite me and scratch me when she plays tag I got you with my legs!! Baby is a mixed breed rescue who craves affection sometimes and sometimes not—but I love her and cuddle her anyway!!
Do researchers really have nothing better to do??? All cats are different – just like dogs and people and every other creature out there. Of course, these same people probably think all pit bulls are vicious and all little dogs are wonderful. ack…….
I only have one word to say about THAT study:
RUBBISH!
(Hmmm … I *like* that word! Think I’ll use it more often!)
RUBBISH RUBBISH RUBBISH!
Can’t be said too many times,
Selina (Friendly to the max without either pedigree or rubbish … RUBBISH)
*giggles*
Great post, Sparkle. You set them straight. It’s good we have you as our watchcat for this kind of research.
Have a great weekend.
hugs, Max, Bugsy and Knuckles
Nice post Sparkle!
Have a great weekend!!!!
Well said Sparkle! I have worked with pure bred and dsh cats and I can honestly say that one is not more friendly than the other. At least in a hospital setting. Each cat is different. I do notice different traits from certain types of cats, but it really just depends on the particular cat you meet.
It is so interesting living here with all these cats and each one of them is so different. Maggie who was a total feral, has turned out to be the sweetest,friendliest and nicest cat. While her kitten Mahoney, who I have had since she was about 4 weeks old, is very stand offish but will come ask me to play. They all have such different personalities. I do agree, that kittens need attention at a very young age. It could be we need to handle them before 4 weeks of age. The other problem that I have here, is that there are too many cats and so they don’t get as much attention as I would like for them to have.
Take care.
Most interesting! We have a curious example here: Tama is a very reserved lady who tends to keep herself to herself, except when she comes over and demands attention. But she never sleeps in/on the bed at night with the rest of the gang. Bibi, her son, raised by her, is the soppiest creature ever, constantly talking to #1, asking for stuff, wanting cuddles and sleeping under the covers with her at night. Two breed cats, mother and son. Hah!
Thanks for the interesting read Sparkle – but we don’t seem to fit anywhere – we aren’t true sisters – well no ones knows but most probably are not. We were born into a house with over 100 cats living there and most of us were rescued by the RSPCA. We happened to be put in the same cage (6 in each as they didn’t have room for us to have a cage each). Mum came in and saw Hannah standing at the front of her cage and asked to hold her which she did but they said it needed to be more than one cat being taken as they would be very lonely as a single one. Mum chose Me (Lucy) because I was leaning up against Hannah so thought we would get on OK. The rest is history on our blog.
Luv Hannah and Lucy xx xx
Well said Sparkle! We totally agree- as a mixed home of breed cats & non-breed cats as well as ferals and non-ferals, you are spot on. Of course.