Experimental evaluation of attachment behaviors in owned cats

Edwards, Claudia; Heiblum, Moisés; Tejeda, Alberto; Galindo, Francisco

doi:10.1016/j.jveb.2007.06.004

Cited by 62 publications

(58 citation statements)

References 19 publications

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“…However, given the experimental setup of this study, social rub (also called bunting or allorubbing) is a more appropriate contextualization of the behaviour, since it was focused on the human-cat interaction. In domestic cats, rubbing behaviour is directed more towards owners than strangers (Edwards et al, 2007) and so could be an adaptation to interact with humans to obtain investment (Shreve and Udell, 2015). Cats seem to prefer being stroked by humans in specific facial areas (temporal region) and since humans do not use face or body rub as part of their normal species social repertoire, stroking (i.e.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Development and application of CatFACS: Are human cat adopters influenced by cat facial expressions?

Caeiro

Burrows

Waller

2017

Applied Animal Behaviour Science

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The domestic cat (Felis silvestris catus) is quickly becoming the most popular animal companion in the world. The evolutionary processes that occur during domestication are known to have wide effects on the morphology, behaviour, cognition and communicative abilities of a species. Since facial expression is central to human communication, it is possible that cat facial expression has been subject to selection during domestication. Standardised measurement techniques to study cat facial expression are, however, currently lacking. Here, as a first step to enable cat facial expression to be studied in an anatomically based and objective way, CatFACS (Cat Facial Action Coding System) was developed. Fifteen individual facial movements (Action Units), six miscellaneous movements (Action Descriptors) and seven Ear Action Descriptors were identified in the domestic cat. CatFACS was then applied to investigate the impact of cat facial expression on human preferences in an adoption shelter setting. Rehoming speed from cat shelters was used as a proxy for human selective pressure. The behaviour of 106 cats ready for adoption in three different shelters was recorded during a standardised encounter with an experimenter. This experimental setup aimed to mimic the first encounter of a cat with a potential adopter, i.e. an unfamiliar human. Each video was coded for proximity to the experimenter, body movements, tail movements and face movements. Cat facial movements were not related to rehoming speed, suggesting that cat facial expression may not have undergone significant selection. In contrast, rubbing frequency was positively related to rehoming speed. The findings suggest that humans are more influenced by overt prosocial behaviours than subtle facial expression in domestic cats.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Development and application of CatFACS: Are human cat adopters influenced by cat facial expressions?

Caeiro

Burrows

Waller

2017

Applied Animal Behaviour Science

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“…Cats were observed during each event, and a number of attachment behaviors were scored including independent behaviors, such as locomotion/exploration, vigilance, inactivity and approaching the door, and interactive behaviors, including physical contact, allorubbing, playing and vocalizing with the owner or stranger. Edwards et al (2007) found there were significant differences in the cats' behavior when cats were alone, with their owner or with a stranger. Cats spent significantly more time in contact with and allorubbing their owner compared with the stranger.…”

Section: Attachmentmentioning

confidence: 84%

“…However, secure attachments also allow individuals, be they humans or non-human animals, to feel comfortable in new settings and explore their environment (Ainsworth and Bell 1970). Edwards et al (2007) used an adaptation of the Ainsworth Strange Situation Test (Ainsworth et al 1978) to examine attachment between pet cats and their owners. In this test, the cat was exposed to seven events that alternated the presence and absence of an owner and stranger in the testing room, with two reunion events between the owner and cat: an introductory event to become familiar with the testing room, (1) an event between only the owner and cat, (2) an event between stranger, owner and cat where owner left at end of event, (3) an event with only stranger and cat, (4) an event when owner and cat are reunited with no stranger present, (5) an event with the cat alone in the testing room, (6) an event where the stranger re-entered the room and (7) a second reunion event between the owner and cat.…”

Section: Attachmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Cats were inactive longer and vocalized more when they were alone as compared to events when another person was in the testing room. Many of the aforementioned behaviors are considered attachment indicators under the Ainsworth Strange Situation Test (Ainsworth et al 1978), indicating cats exhibit attachment behaviors and form attachment bonds with their owners (Edwards et al 2007). Further research must be undertaken to determine what factors influence formation of attachment bonds and what attachment styles are displayed in the cathuman relationship.…”

Section: Attachmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

What’s inside your cat’s head? A review of cat (Felis silvestris catus) cognition research past, present and future

Shreve

Udell

2015

Anim Cogn

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The domestic cat (Felis silvestris catus) has shared an intertwined existence with humans for thousands of years, living on our city streets and in our homes. Yet, little scientific research has focused on the cognition of the domestic cat, especially in comparison with human's other companion, the domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris). This review surveys the current status of several areas of cat cognition research including perception, object permanence, memory, physical causality, quantity and time discrimination, cats' sensitivity to human cues, vocal recognition and communication, attachment bonds, personality, and cognitive health. Although interest in cat cognition is growing, we still have a long way to go until we have an inclusive body of research on the subject. Therefore, this review also identifies areas where future research must be conducted. In addition to the scientific value of future work in this area, future research on cat cognition could have an important influence on the management and welfare of pet and free-roaming cats, leading to improved human-cat interactions.

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“…To analyze the behavioral characteristics, the cats that are with their owners for a while, newly adopted ones, and the stray cats were considered as samples. Moreover, their interactions and behavioral changes were observed [21].…”

Section: Arthi and Fathimamentioning

confidence: 99%

Pet Animals’ Behavior Analysis: A Review

Arthi

2017

Asian J Pharm Clin Res

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Nowadays, socializing of humans with pet animals has increased. The pet animals are treated as a part of the family and the physical interaction has also improved owing to the fact that the infected animals are not easily identifiable at an early stage and children are more prone to get infected. This leads to the necessity for monitoring and analyzing the behavior of the pet animals. The current trend is moving toward smart homes as the cameras are getting cheaper and easily available. The vision-based approach is one of the solutions to identify the behavioral changes of the pet animals. In this paper, the study on behavioral analysis of dogs and cats as pet animals is reviewed.

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Experimental evaluation of attachment behaviors in owned cats

Cited by 62 publications

References 19 publications

Development and application of CatFACS: Are human cat adopters influenced by cat facial expressions?

Development and application of CatFACS: Are human cat adopters influenced by cat facial expressions?

What’s inside your cat’s head? A review of cat (Felis silvestris catus) cognition research past, present and future

Pet Animals’ Behavior Analysis: A Review

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