Study finds domestic cats meow more to get their owners’ attention

Domestic cats may use meowing to get humans to respond to their needs, according to a study by researchers at the University of São Paulo in Brazil.

The researchers observed 38 cats in their homes under two conditions: with their owners present and when they were absent. The animals were presented with a box containing visible food they could not reach.

When their owners were present, the cats meowed about four times more frequently while looking at them.

The findings, published in the journal Animal Behaviour, support the idea that meowing plays an important role in communication between cats and humans.

Researchers noted that domestic cats meow more frequently around people than they do around other cats. Wild cats also tend to meow less often, suggesting that this behavior may have developed through their close relationship with humans.

The study suggests that cats may use different vocalizations to encourage their owners to provide food, attention or access to restricted spaces. However, the findings do not establish that cats consciously seek to manipulate human behavior.