Think you know everything about your furry pals? Maybe not! Here’s what animal researchers recently discovered about your cat and dog’s communication styles:
Your cat:
* Gets you moving with a special sound. When she lets out a high-pitched baby-like cry mixed with a purr, it’s her way of telling you that she’s hungry and wants to be fed right away, reveals a recent study out of the U.K.’s University of Sussex. What’s more, this unique meow is a sure sign of her love for you—she only uses it around humans she adores and clams up around strangers.
* Reveals her mood with her tail. Is her tail held high with little flicks at the end? She’s feeling happy and confident, says Jean Craighead George, author of How to Talk to Your Cat. Is her tail lashing back and forth? Then watch out: “something’s ticking her off.” Is her tail at half-mast—not straight up, but not straight down? She’s feeling relaxed.
Your dog…
* Understands gestures. According to a recent study in the journal Animal Cognition, dogs understand as much human body language as a two-year-old. So, when your pooch looks at you intently as you point at a toy, turn your head to see something behind you or gaze off into the distance at someone approaching, she gets what you’re doing.
* Laughs. A dog’s laugh is like a regular pant, only longer and louder, according to researchers at the Spokane County Regional Animal Protection Service in Washington. And, just like humans enjoy the sound of laughter, their study found that dogs feel happier when they hear other dogs laughing, too.
[photo: Elsie Esq.]
