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PETS | Behaviour and training
http://www.petsmagazine.com.au
Another easy-to-spot loving behaviour is tail
movement, but it’s a little diff erent to what we
know from dogs. Cats’ tails are extra expressive,
which makes it easier to spot a happy cat. Keep
an eye out for a tail that is puff y at the base,
held upright and slightly curled at the top. If
the tail is quivering slightly, it means your cat is
really feeling the love.
Just like dogs, cats also use their own language
to express aff ection. If you have a vocal cat, all
the chirps, cheeps and meows have meaning and
often express how closely bonded they feel with
you. Purring is also a dead giveaway that your cat
is enjoying your attention and aff ection.
The cheeks are also important parts of a cat’s
anatomy because they contain scent glands,
which produce pheromones. So if your cat rubs
his cheeks against your legs, you can take that
as a sign of great aff ection and trust.THEY CH SE TO SPEND TIME WITH US
Perhaps the clearest sign that your pet loves
you is her proximity to you. Pets that are happy
and content choose to spend time close to us.
Whether it be for a cuddle, a pat or just quiet
refl ection, this time together strengthens the
loving bond between pet and owner.
Countless studies have shown that pets make
us happier, less stressed, less lonely, safer and
calmer, but we’re not the only ones who benefi t.
Pets feel cared for and psychologically nurtured,
too. In this technologically enlightened age,
we’re only just beginning to understand animal
behaviour but, as any pet owner will tell you,
they don’t need science or technology to tell
them what their heart already knows. While
they’ll never actually say the words, our pets
show us their love in a million diff erent ways.response. It shows these dogs really care about
their owners.”
But don’t be disheartened, cat lovers: Dr
Paul’s study was the fi rst of its kind to test for
feline oxytocin response, so we’ll likely learn
more in the coming years.
It’s interesting to note that oxytocin isn’t only
produced during physical contact with pets. The
hormone can be released when our pets look us
in the eye, triggering a physiological response
much like the experience of bonding with a
baby. Recent Japanese research into mutual
gazing showed that after a 30-minute play
time, dogs experienced a 130 per cent increase
in oxytocin secretion, while human levels
increased by 300 per cent.FEAR NOT, FELINE FANCIERS
Cats have long been considered aloof, but behind
their exterior is a heart that truly beats for us.
One of the easiest feline love behaviours to spot
— and the highest form of kitty fl attery — is
cat kisses. Next time you see your cat looking at
you with half-closed eyes, blinking slowly, know
that she loves you. Cat kisses express that she is
comfortable and content in your presence.It’s interesting to note that a study by a
Hungarian research group has expanded
on previous behavioural studies to show
that not only can dogs process language,
they are capable of deciphering intonation,
too. Does your dog understand what you
say? Share your thoughts on our Facebook
page: facebook.com/petsmagazineSCIENTISTS SAY THAT
IT’S NOT ONLY CATS AND IT’S NOT ONLY CATS AND
DOGS THAT ARE CAPABLE DOGS THAT ARE CAPABLE
OF EXPRESSING COMPLEX OF EXPRESSING COMPLEX
EMOTIONS SUCH AS LOVE EMOTIONS SUCH AS LOVE
AND EMPATHY; ELEPHANTS, AND EMPATHY; ELEPHANTS,
BIRDS AND EVEN HUMPBACK BIRDS AND EVEN HUMPBACK
WHALES ALSO CAN.WHALES ALSO CAN.Behaviour an
IEIENTNTISISTSTS
a w h a T P
yo
a
WChoosing to spend time with you
is one sure sign your pet loves you.