Ah Ha we knew it all along ...

"Cat owners may have suspected as much, but it seems our feline friends have found a way to manipulate us humans.

Researchers at the University of Sussex have discovered that cats use a "soliciting purr" to overpower their owners and garner attention and food.

Unlike regular purring, this sound incorporates a "cry", with a similar frequency to a human baby's.

The team said cats have "tapped into" a human bias - producing a sound that humans find very difficult to ignore."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/8147566.stm

I just read that. I think the term "manipulate" is a bit of a stretch. We all know the different meows. I live in a place that isn't cunductive for "outside" cats so I let the cats out only when I'm with them. They are like my dogs out there, controllable in every way. If they want out and I don't one of my cats has a very annoying, pestering meow. That gets him no where. Now if I'm sitting on the couch and he lets out a pleasant I want attention meow I'll call him up. Not sure that is manipulation. I had a cat that would meow on command and had quite a range of meows, a cat vocabulary like no other cat I've had. He also ruled the house including both dogs.

quote:

Originally posted by The Specialist:

Researchers at the University of Sussex have discovered that cats use a "soliciting purr" to overpower their owners and garner attention and food.

The team said cats have "tapped into" a human bias - producing a sound that humans find very difficult to ignore."

RESISTANCE IS FUTILE!!!

This is news????

It's real clear in the morning the get on the bed, get next to Dad, purr for a certain length of time until I either get fed, or, I get up and leave.

This is very different from the get into bed, pet me, and I'm sleeping here all night purr.

Science: stating the obvious...

Cats do not have owners or masters,
They only have "Wait Staff"

quote:

Originally posted by tetonka:
Cats do not have owners or masters,
They only have "Wait Staff"

That's one of the reasons I love them....I'm jealous. I keep hoping they'll teach me some of their techniques and arts, so I can use them on my wife.