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Feline behaviorist Lucy Hoile, who runs an awesome Facebook page where she shares funny and informative cat-related content, said that whether we like it or not, our furry companions probably think we're just as random as we make them out to be.
"Changes in human lifestyles that seem normal to us (such as moving into a different house or a partner moving in) can completely unsettle a cat," Hoile told Bored Panda.
"They appreciate a predictable routine and fit their activities in around us, often waking up with us in the morning or when we come home from work."
#3 Cosmo (Office Cat). Spent Days Only In The Sink. Took Him To The Vet. Vet Said He's In The Sink Constantly "Because He's A Cat"
Some say that the differences between humans and cats is what always keeps us apart, claiming that since these animals evolved as solitary hunters with little need for reading social cues, especially those for behavior modification, they are hard to train. While there might be truth to these words, Hoile thinks that cats can be trained just as easily as dogs (or any other animal), just with a few additional considerations.
"Training with rewards is most effective with cats, they will rarely do something for nothing! The tricky part is finding something motivating enough to use as the reward; it's got to be worth it!" she explained.
"Smelly food usually works well e.g. small amounts of chicken or tuna. Training sessions should be short, as they can lose interest quickly and sessions should be split into small, easily achievable steps."
Also, you have to remember that every kitty is different. And we still don't have a complete explanation as to why. But we're getting there! For example, a new study by researchers at Azabu University in Japan suggests that cats' gut microbiomes and hormones like cortisol, oxytocin and testosterone may explain why some felines get along well with others and why some are more aloof.
The scientists split 15 shelter cats into groups, placing five random cats in three 13-by-25-foot rooms for two weeks. During this period, they used video cameras to observe the cats' behavior, and they collected urine and feces to measure hormones and microbial species present.
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#13 Not Only Did He Steal The Vet’s Chair, He Had To Make A Face As Well
They found that cats who had higher cortisol and testosterone concentrations exhibited fewer social behaviors like grooming, sharing food or sniffing, while those with lower amounts of cortisol and testosterone were more social.
Additionally, cats with similar microbiomes had more frequent contact with each other, and those with higher testosterone levels were more likely to try to escape.
However, because the cats were of different or unknown ages and backgrounds, "we do not consider our results to be applicable to all cat groups," Hikari Koyasu, lead author from Azabu University, told Inverse.
Future research should look into how factors like growing up as juveniles and changes in environmental conditions affect social behaviors. And though the study showed correlations between hormones and behaviors, correlation doesn't always mean causation. The authors of the study highlighted that research conducted over a longer period of time may be required to provide "more comprehensive information."
