Cats are notoriously mysterious, but groundbreaking research from the University of Guelph identifies 'cat whisperers'—exceptional individuals who expertly decode subtle facial expressions revealing a cat's mood.
Women and those with veterinary experience shone brightest at recognizing these expressions, even without strong personal attachments to cats, according to this large-scale study.
Over 6,300 participants from 85 countries watched 20 short videos from a YouTube-sourced collection of 40. Clips captured cats' eyes, muzzles, and mouths in positive states (like enjoying pets or treats) or negative ones (health issues or withdrawal). Fear signals like bared teeth or flattened ears were excluded, as they're widely known.
Participants rated each cat's state as positive, negative, or unsure.
The test proved challenging: average score was 12 out of 20, just above chance. Yet 13% aced it with 15+ correct—the 'cat whisperers.' They were disproportionately women, vets, vet techs, and younger adults.
“The fact that women generally outperformed men aligns with prior research showing women excel at decoding nonverbal emotions in humans and dogs,” said co-author Georgia Mason, who collaborated with postdoctoral researchers Jenna Cheal and Lauren Dawson.
Surprisingly, strong bonds with cats didn't boost scores.
This skill appears trainable, offering potential to enhance owner-cat relationships and welfare. “It could help strengthen bonds between owners and cats, improving care and well-being,” said co-author Tina Widowski Niel.
