Recent research by Japanese scientists showed that cats, although they can recognize the voices of their owners, generally prefer to ignore them. The study involved 20 domestic cats with the aim of studying the behavior of these animals. During the experiment, the cats listened to recordings of their owners speaking in a gentle tone, as well as recordings of three strangers addressing the cats using the same words. While the cats listened to the recordings, the researchers observed their physical reactions, such as head and ear movements, tail twitching, and dilation of pupils. The results showed that cats reacted more noticeably when their owners called them by name compared to strangers. Despite recognizing the voices of their owners, cats, as a rule, did not seem to feel compelled to engage or initiate further measures.
This phenomenon, or rather its absence, researchers link to the history of cat evolution, which spans over 9,000 years. Unlike dogs, which have been domesticated for following human commands, cats evolved alongside ancient societies without the necessity to form packs. This way, they have also not developed the same responsiveness to human cues. According to the researchers, cats retain certain traits, but at the same time, they continue to enchant and attract the attention of their human companions.