Women’s Gentle Touch Wins Cat Affection
Cats tend to favor owners who talk to them more, use higher-pitched voices, and touch them frequently. A 1986 study found that people who initiated more contact and spoke more often had cats that approached and stayed near them more often, and women were the ones who did most of that initiating.
Research shows a cat’s own sex does not predict whether it prefers a male or female owner; the owner’s behavior matters far more. A 2011 University of Vienna study confirmed that cats bonded more closely with owners who talked to them and responded to their cues quickly, regardless of the owner’s gender.
Women tend to speak to their cats more often, smile at them, and use gentler, higher-pitched tones. Cats respond positively to these vocal qualities and to tactile interactions such as petting and stroking. Women also show greater tolerance for typical cat behaviors like independence and occasional aloofness.
Cats may develop negative associations with men, but men can build strong relationships by adopting the same habits-talking, using a gentle tone, and touching their cats.
Key takeaways
- Cats prefer owners who initiate contact and speak more often.
- A cat’s sex does not determine owner preference; owner behavior does.
- Women’s higher-pitched voices and frequent touch encourage cat affection.
- Men can achieve similar bonds by mirroring these behaviors.
- Cats may associate men with negative experiences, but this can be mitigated.
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Originally reported by iHeartCats. Read the full article.
Cover photo by Blanco Studio via Pexels.
