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Humans can identify cats’ affective states from subtle facial expressions

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 January 2023

LC Dawson ,
J Cheal ,
L Niel  and
G Mason
LC Dawson
Affiliation:
Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Rd E, Guelph, ON, Canada
J Cheal
Affiliation:
Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Rd E, Guelph, ON, Canada
L Niel*
Affiliation:
Department of Population Medicine, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Rd E, Guelph, ON, Canada
G Mason*
Affiliation:
Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Rd E, Guelph, ON, Canada
*
* Contact for correspondence: gmason@uoguelph.ca/niell@uoguelph.ca
* Contact for correspondence: gmason@uoguelph.ca/niell@uoguelph.ca
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Abstract

Although cats’ popularity as pets rivals that of dogs, cats are little studied, and people's abilities to read this apparently ‘inscrutable’ species have attracted negligible research. To determine whether people can identify feline emotions from cats’ faces, participants (n = 6,329) each viewed 20 video clips of cats in carefully operationalised positively (n =10) or negatively valenced states (n = 10) (cross-factored with low and high activity levels). Obvious cues (eg open mouths or fully retracted ears) were eliminated. Participants’ average scores were low (11.85/20 correct), but overall above chance; furthermore, 13% of participants were individually significantly successful at identifying the valence of cats’ states (scoring ≥ 15/20 correct). Women were more successful at this task than men, and younger participants more successful than older, as were participants with professional feline (eg veterinary) experience. In contrast, personal contact with cats (eg pet-owning) had little effect. Cats in positive states were most likely to be correctly identified, particularly if active rather than inactive. People can thus infer cats’ affective states from subtle aspects of their facial expressions (although most find this challenging); and some individuals are very good at doing so. Understanding where such abilities come from, and precisely how cats’ expressions change with affective state, could potentially help pet owners, animal care staff and veterinarians optimise feline care and welfare.

Keywords

affective statesanimal careanimal welfarecatsemotional statesfacial expressions
Type
Articles
Information
Animal Welfare , Volume 28 , Issue 4 , November 2019 , pp. 519 - 531
Copyright
© 2019 Universities Federation for Animal Welfare

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