Cats are as affectionate as dogs, says science. We're just misunderstanding their purrs, blank faces [View all]

[KamaAina]

http://www.stylist.co.uk/life/cats-are-as-affectionate-as-dogs-says-science-were-just-misunderstanding-their-purs-and-blank-faces

If you've ever been in a Cat Vs Dog debate and you take a preference of the former, you'll be familiar with the response: "But, cats are so cold", "They're mean" and "Cats scare me". Dogs are often considered the friendlier, happier and most loyal pet.

But cats and cat lovers alike can now prove their critics wrong, because according to a growing body of scientific research, felines are probably just as expressive as canine companions. It’s just that humans misunderstand or don’t always see what cats are trying to communicate.

Sharon Crowell-Davis, a professor of veterinary behavior at the University of Georgia, says in New York Magazine's blog Science of Us, that compared with dogs, there are likely many cat behaviors that owners are misinterpreting, because so much more research has been done on canine behavior.

"Part of the problem arises when people take their knowledge of dogs and apply it to cats," says Karen Sueda, Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists. She believes feline body language is more nuanced than that of dogs.