Cats are often seen as aloof and mysterious, but the more than 46.5 million owners in the United States tell a different story and a recent study backs them up. In fact, cats have almost 300 distinct facial expressions, with a surprising number of them being friendly
A recent study, led by Dr. Brittany Florkiewicz from Lyon College in Arkansas and published in the journal ‘Behavioural Processes,’ followed 53 domestic cats over 10 months in a cat cafe, observing 186 separate meetings between these felines.
Contrary to the stereotype of the antisocial cat, researchers identified 126 friendly expressions, like the peaceful closed-eye look that many cat owners know means their pet is content.
On the flip side, only 102 unfriendly expressions were recorded, such as narrowed pupils and flattened ears — signs that are often directed at humans when a cat is annoyed.
Dr. Florkiewicz advises, “These findings show it is good to look at a cat’s ears, eyes, and whiskers to understand if they are feeling friendly. Their mouth provides a lot of information about whether a cat fight is likely.”
These findings not only bust myths about cats but also serve as a reminder not to judge a book by its cover — or in this case, a cat by its fur.
Interestingly, more than half of the observed expressions indicated a playful mood. Signs like lips being pulled outwards, bottom teeth showing, mouth open, and jaw stretched typically led to friendly cat-to-cat interactions, busting the myth that cats are generally hostile toward one another.
TRENDING: McDonald’s Revenue Soars After Implementing ‘Strategic’ Price Hikes, ‘$18 Big Macs’
The study also provides practical takeaways for cat owners. It identified four specific muscle movements that suggest a cat might be gearing up for a fight. These signs are lip licking, ears moved to the side and flattened, and narrowed pupils.
What’s more, the last three of these movements have been observed in previous studies involving cats that are unhappy with humans. This knowledge helps pet owners know when it’s a good time to intervene or give their cat some space.
To put things into perspective, cats were found to have 26 unique facial movements. That’s almost as many as dogs, who have 27, and not too far off from humans, who have 44.
The study challenges conventional wisdom about our feline friends. Far from being standoffish, cats have a wide range of emotional expressions that both surprises and educates, enriching our understanding and helping us better connect with our own pets.