[Tom]

THEIR TITLE, not mine!...

http://news.discovery.com/animals/ca...ps-110224.html

Looks like there might be some truth to that "crazy cat lady" stereotype. (Hmmm.... I'm a longtime cat person... maybe I should get my testosterone levels checked.)

 

[mlp]

I suspect that cats generally interact more with women because women, on average, tend to notice body language and other cues more. (I think there are evolutionary and societal reasons for this.) The article did indicate that women tended to initiate contact with cats more than men did.

So, no need to check testosterone levels. Just nurture your feminine side

 

[Tom]

Interesting. I don't think I'm that adept at reading body language, but one reason I like cats is that their behavior is more consistent than that of humans. Compared to dogs, they generally aren't as effusive about expressing themselves- but for all their subtlety, they're really not that hard to read (except that they tend to hide signs that they might be sick- but some think this is because a small animal like a cat who advertizes illness is a tempting target for a bigger, hungrier animal). I almost always feel at ease with a cat because it's easy to know where you stand with them.

I can sort of understand how they got an undeserved reputation for being devious because they can move about so silently. I've heard stories about cats suddenly leaping at someone with claws out, and maybe it happens sometimes. I can definitely believe that cats would respond to someone who shows them affection and don't see people merely as food dispensers though- they're a lot more responsive than many people give them credit for.

 

[vegansarawr]

I find all animals tend to gravitate towards women more than men. i think because in the wild there is typically the alpha male and the female is the more nurturing. Therefor domestic animals see women as less threatening. Women tend to be more empathetic than men as well which animals can sense.

 

[mlp]

The video at the end of this article on the study is hilarious:

http://healthland.time.com/2011/02/28/the-science-of-cat-ladies-women-really-do-have-special-bonds-with-cats/http://healthland.time.com/2011/02/28/the-science-of-cat-ladies-women-really-do-have-special-bonds-with-cats/

 

[Snowcone]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mlp

The video at the end of this article on the study is hilarious:

http://healthland.time.com/2011/02/28/the-science-of-cat-ladies-women-really-do-have-special-bonds-with-cats/http://healthland.time.com/2011/02/28/the-science-of-cat-ladies-women-really-do-have-special-bonds-with-cats/

 

[Werewolf Girl]

And once again science confirms what people have already known for ages

Also, I agree with this comment:

Quote:

I can totally see how this would seem to be true, although I don't think that being a woman would have all that much to do with it, more the nurturing factor. It's all in how you treat the animal that will determine how it reciprocates, if you are loving towards your pet it will likely be loving towards you regardless of being man or woman.

It is much more likely that women in general are more nuturing and the animal would respond better to that, with more women on average being nuturing more cats would seem to gravitate towards women so the data may seem to show that cats like women more.

While it may be possible that animals are able to determine human gender and have a bias one way or the other, its not all that likely if you ask me.

I do think cats pick up on a nurturing vibe more than gender, I've known many guys who were cat people and cats loved them right back. My boyfriend is as much of a softie as I am and our cat gravitates between the two of us pretty equally whenever he wants someone to snuggle or play with.

I think people who believe cats are cold and manipulative and just looking for food have never really been around cats. They certainly can and do manipulate people for food or attention, but the same way children do. They know they're cute and they exploit it!

But like children cats also get lonely or anxious or playful or bored or moody etc. They are highly individual animals with similar emotional needs to people, they crave affection and friendship just like everyone else

 

[lesleythegreate]

One of our cats bonded with my boyfriend a lot more. Chris was always holding and loving on him when he was a baby, and now Brussels is completely his. So, I guess it depends on the situation. The other cats like me more though

 

[peace]

It's funny, my cats have always feared a strange male visitor in the house, but never a strange female.