https://doi.org/10.52973/rcfcv-e34400
Received: 25/02/2024 Accepted: 30/04/2024 Published: 12/08/2024
1 of 5
Revista Científica, FCV-LUZ / Vol. XXXIV, rcfcv-e34400
ABSTRACT
The study was conducted to determine the effect of the duration of
ownership of cats (Felis catus) and the time spent by the owners with
their cats during the day on understanding the body language of cats.
Face–to–face survey data from 194 cat owners were used in the study.
In the study, the ratios of females who spent 1–5 hours (h), 6–10 h and
11h or more with their cats was 49.6, 69.4 and 62.5%, respectively;
41.9, 59.2 and 56.2%, respectively; 48.8, 55.1 and 50.0%, respectively;
and 45.0, 55.1 and 43.7%, respectively, of those aged 20 years and
younger. In this study, it was determined that cat owners understood
6 of the 20 images of cat body language with 55.2% or more accuracy
and 14 of them with 42.8% or less accuracy. In the study, it was
determined that those who understood cat body language at the
highest rate were female, associate degree and bachelor’s degree
graduates, 21–40 years old, and those who spent 1–5 h a day with their
cats. As a result, it was determined that it is not sucient for cat
owners to understand their cats’ body language correctly only if they
have owned their cats for a long time and spend long periods of time
together during the day. This is due to the fact that there are many
factors affecting the behavior of cats and individual differences. It
is recommended that cat owners learn cat body language to better
understand their cats.
Key words: Cat; cat behavior; cat body language; cat owner;
consciousness
RESUMEN
El estudio se llevó a cabo con el objeto de determinar el efecto de
la duración de la tenencia de gatos (Felis catus) y el tiempo que los
dueños pasan con sus gatos durante el día, en la comprensión del
lenguaje corporal de los gatos. En el estudio se utilizaron datos de
encuestas directa de 194 dueños de gatos. En el estudio, la proporción
de mujeres que pasaron de 1 a 5 horas (h), de 6 a 10 h y de 11 h o más
con sus gatos fue del 49,6; 69,4 y 62,5%, respectivamente; 41,9; 59,2
y 56,2%, respectivamente; 48,8; 55,1 y 50,0%, respectivamente; y el
45,0; 55,1 y 43,7%, respectivamente, de los de 20 años y menos. En
este estudio, se determinó que los dueños de gatos entendían 6 de
las 20 imágenes del lenguaje corporal del gato con un 55,2% o más
de precisión y 14 de ellas con un 42,8% o menos de precisión. En el
estudio, se determinó que quienes entendían el lenguaje corporal
de los gatos en mayor proporción eran mujeres, graduadas de grado
asociado y licenciatura, de 21 a 40 años, y aquellas que pasaban de
1 a 5 h al día con sus gatos. Como resultado, se determinó que no
es suciente que los dueños de gatos comprendan correctamente
el lenguaje corporal de sus gatos sólo si han tenido gatos durante
mucho tiempo y pasan largos períodos de tiempo juntos durante
el día. Esto se debe al hecho de que existen muchos factores que
afectan el comportamiento de los gatos y diferencias individuales. Se
recomienda que los dueños de gatos aprendan el lenguaje corporal
de los gatos para comprender mejor a sus gatos.
Palabras clave: Gato; comportamiento del gato; lenguaje corporal
del gato; dueño del gato; conciencia
The effect of duration of ownership and time spent together during the day
on cat owners’ level of understanding of cats’ body language
El efecto de la duración de la propiedad y el tiempo que pasan juntos durante el día en el nivel
de comprensión del lenguaje corporal de los gatos por parte de los dueños de gatos
Abdurrahman Köseman
1
* , Ibrahim Şeker
2
, Abdulsamed Erez
3
, Şenol Koşan
4
1
Malatya Turgut Özal University, Battalgazi Vocational School, Plant and Animal Production Department. Malatya, Türkiye.
2
Fırat University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Zootechny. Elazığ, Türkiye.
3
Bozok University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. Yozgat, Türkiye.
4
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Directorate General of Food and Control, Directorate of Animal and Animal Products Border Control. Ankara, Türkiye.
*Corresponding author: abdurrahman.koseman@ozal.edu.tr
FIGURE 1. Cat body language. Source: Lili Chin [13]
Understanding Cat Body Language: Factors Influencing Owner Accuracy / Köseman et al. _________________________________________
2 of 5
INTRODUCTION
Domestic cats (Felis catus) are social animals that are in constant
contact with the people they live with. This is why they are one of
the most demanded pet species [1, 2, 3, 4]. However, increasing
urbanization has also changed the environment of many cats,
contributing to smaller living spaces, higher population density,
completely enclosed spaces and more time spent alone [5] This
can cause serious problems for the behavioral needs of cats [6, 7].
Domestic cats in particular, who spend a large part of their lives with
humans, become stressed when they are alone, and if they are exposed
to too much of this, serious diseases can occur in the long term [8].
Cats send signals to their surroundings using body language, i.e.
posture, changing the position of limbs such as eyes, tail and ears, and
even some visual cues in their fur. Therefore, in order to understand
cat body language well, it is necessary to evaluate the signals sent by
each limb separately and to observe these clues well [9]
However, cats’ emotions are not emotions per se, but motivational–
emotional systems responsible for instinctive emotional arousal.
Therefore, determining different emotional motivations and their
associated arousal levels from observations of behavior and body
language alone is a difficult task. This is because, as with any
species, the behavioral repertoire of the domestic cat is limited and
the same behavior may occur in other cats. Also, cats, like humans,
can experience multiple emotions at the same time or switch rapidly
between emotional motivations, further complicating identication [10]
For this reason, cat owners sometimes nd it dicult to understand
the signals their cats send through body language [11] Many owners
even lack the ability to accurately read their cat’s body language [12].
The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of the duration of
ownership of cats and the time spent with their owners during the
day on the understanding of cats’ body language.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
Material
The research material consisted of data obtained from a face–to–
face survey conducted with a total of 194 cat owners who participated
in the survey in different provinces of Türkiye (Adana, Ankara, Antalya,
Bursa, Diyarbakır, Erzincan, İstanbul, İzmir and Ordu). The study was
conducted between May and September 2021.
Methods
Within the scope of the research, veterinary clinics and animal
hospitals to be surveyed and cat owners to be surveyed were randomly
selected, and face–to–face surveys were conducted with cat owners
who voluntarily agreed to be surveyed. In this study participants
how long they have been with their cats, how much time they spend
with their cats during the day and to what extent they understand
cat body language correctly were determined. The questionnaire
included a cat body language scale (FIG. 1) consisting of relevant
visuals to determine the participants’ level of understanding of cat
body language [13] The questions in the questionnaire were prepared
by the research team by utilizing similar questions in other studies
[11, 14, 15]. In the study, random sampling method was used since the
total population size could not be determined.
Statistical analysis
Firstly, descriptive statistics of the data obtained as a result of the
questionnaire study were calculated. In this context, numerical and
percentage (%) frequencies were determined for each parameter.
Pearson’s chi–square test was used to compare the parameters and
Fisher’s exact test was used when it was not appropriate to use this
test. A value of P<0.05 was accepted as the signicance level in the
analyses [16]. SPSS 22.0 program was used for both the calculation
of descriptive statistics and statistical analysis [17].
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Cat owners’ total length of time and daily time spent with their cats
In this study, the ndings of the cat owners’ total length of time
spent with their cats in TABLE I and also daily time spent with their
cats are presented in TABLE II.
In this study, it was found that females were 32.70 ± 0.98 and
males were 34.14 ± 1.11 years old on average. Also who had been with
TABLE II
Owners’ daily time spent with their cats (hours)
Characteristics
Time spent together during the day
1–5
hours
6–10
hours
11 hours
and more
Gender
Female
n 64 34 10
% 49.6 69.4 62.5
Male
n 65 15 6
% 50.4 30.6 37.5
P=0.04
Marital status
Married
n 75 20 7
% 58.1 40.8 43.8
Single
n 54 29 9
% 41.9 59.2 56.2
P=0.09
Child ownership
Yes
n 66 22 8
% 51.2 44.9 50.0
No
n 63 27 8
% 48.8 55.1 50.0
P=0.75
Age (years)
20 and less
n 58 27 7
% 45.0 55.1 43.7
21–40
n 43 12 3
% 33.3 24.5 18.8
41–50
n 20 7 2
% 15.5 14.3 12.5
51 and more
n 8 3 4
% 6.2 6.1 25.0
P=0.16
Total
n 129
a
49
b
16
C
% 66.5 25.3 8.2
a, b, c
: Dierences between values with dierent letters in the same line are signicant
(
P<0.05)
TABLE I
Total length of time cat owners has been with their cats (months)
12 months
and less
13–36
months
37 months
or more
Total
Gender
Female
n 36 34 38 108
% 56.3 53.1 57.8 55.7
Male
n 28 30 28 86
% 43.7 46.9 42.2 44.3
P=0.87
Marital
status
Married
n 30 33 39 102
% 46.9 51.5 59.1 52.5
Single
n 34 31 27 92
% 53.1 48.5 40.9 47.5
P=0.37
Child
ownership
Yes
n 28 32 36 96
% 43.8 50.0 54.5 49.5
No
n 36 32 30 98
% 56.2 50.0 45.5 50.5
P=0.77
Age (years)
20 and less
n 37 34 21 92
% 57.8 53.1 31.8 47.5
21–40
n 17 14 27 58
% 26.6 21.9 40.9 29.9
41–50
n 7 11 11 29
% 10.9 17.2 16.7 14.9
51 and more
n 3 5 7 15
% 4.7 7.8 10.6 7.7
P=0.06
Total
n 64 64 66 194
% 32.99 32.99 34.02 100
_____________________________________________________________________________Revista Cientifica, FCV-LUZ / Vol. XXXIV, rcfcv-e34400
3 of 5
their cats for a longer period of time that females (55.7%), married
people (52.2%), people without children (50.5%) and people aged 20
years and under (47.5%). However, none of the sociodemographic
characteristics were found to have a statistically signicant effect
on the total association time of cat owners with their cats (TABLE I).
In addition it was determined that females spent an average of
6.38 ± 0.53 hours (h) a day, while males spent 4.57 ± 0.49 h. According to
the ndings, contrary to other time intervals, the ratio of men who spend
1–5 h with their cats during the day is higher than females, the ratio of
married people is higher than single people, and the ratio of those who
have children is higher than those who do not have children (TABLE II).
In the light of the ndings, it is understood that in terms of total
and daily time spent with their cats, females are more than males,
married people are more than single people, people without children
are more than those with children, and people aged 20 and over are
more than other age groups.
Westgarth et al. [18], stayted that households that consisted only
of male adults were less likely to own a cat when compared with
mixed–sex households. Conversely, households consisting only of
female adults were more likely to own a cat.
Grigg and Kogan [19] found that 1–2, 3–4, 5–8, 9–12, 9–12 and 12 or
more hours that cats spent alone without their owners were 20.7,
24.0, 30.7, 9.3 and 4.2%, respectively.
Mariti et al. [12] reported that 28.4% of the owners played (spent
hours) with their cats, while 7.7% did not play with their cats at all.
Galvan and Vonk [20] found that cats spent more time communicating
with their owners when they displayed a happy posture instead of an
angry posture and facial expression.
Eriksson et al. [21] reported that cats left alone for 30 min and 4 h
showed no difference in behavior when reunited with their owners.
However, cats purred more and tensed their bodies more and initiated
more verbal contact after 4 h compared to 30 min.
TABLE IV
The eect of various factors on cat owners’ level
of understanding cat body language
Characteristics Correct answers (%)
Gender
Female 58.19
Male 41.81
P=0.11
Education
Primary and Secondary Education 31.47
b
Associate and Undergraduate 54.50
a
Postgraduate 14.03
c
P=0.01
Age
20 and less 6.62
b
21–40 71.74
a
41–50 13.99
b
51 and more 7.65
b
P=0.01
Time spent with a cat
in one day (hours)
1–5 43.88
a
6–10 27.99
a
11 and more 9.92
b
P=0.01
Length of cat
ownership
12 months and less 16.15
13 – 36 month 16.44
37 months and more 17.42
P=0.98
a, b, c
: Differences between values with different letters in the same column are
signicant (
P<0.05)
TABLE III
Frequencies and rates of correct evaluation of cat body language patterns
Question No
Correct answers
to the questions
Frequencies of correct answers
P
n %
1 Interested 35 18.0
0.01
2 Friendly 135 69.6 0.01
3 Attentive 75 38.7 0.03
4 Relaxed 38 19.6 0.01
5 Trusting 63 32.5 0.01
6 Friendly, relaxed 58 29.9 0.01
7 Content 64 33.0 0.01
8 Conicted, cautions 107 55.2 0.32
9 Playful 62 32.0
0.01
10 Excited 50 25.8 0.01
11 “This is mine” 59 30.4 0.01
12 Anxious 51 26.3 0.01
13 Predatory 83 42.8 0.16
14 Worried 35 18.0
0.01
15 Frightened 107 55.2 0.32
16 Threatened 114 58.8 0.07
17 Terried 79 40.7 0.07
18 Super terried 137 70.6
0.01
19 Irritated 59 30.4 0.01
20 Disgusted 137 70.6 0.01
Understanding Cat Body Language: Factors Influencing Owner Accuracy / Köseman et al. _________________________________________
4 of 5
In this study, most of the cat owners reported that they spent 1–5 h
with their cats. The fact that the majority of cat owners spend longer
time with their cats can be considered as an opportunity for owners
to have more control over cat behavior and cat body language. On
the other hand, the nding reported that no difference was observed
in the behavior of cats left alone when they were reunited with their
owners suggests that even if cat owners spend less time with their
cats, this may not have a negative effect on their mastery of cat body
language. However, it has been determined that scientic studies on
the effects of cats’ being alone on their behavior and body language
are insucient in our literature review.
Cat owners’ correct evaluation of cat body language patterns and
level of understanding cat body language
In this study, the findings of the cat owners’ levels of correct
understanding and evaluation of the visuals of cat body language are
presented in TABLE III. In addition the levels of cat owners’ understanding
of cat body language according to various factors (gender, education
level, age, time spent with their cats during the day and duration of their
association with their cats) are presented in TABLE IV.
It was found that cat owners were able to identify 6 of the 20 images
of cat body language with accuracy of 55.2% and above, and 14 of them
with an accuracy of 42.8% and below. The images that were correctly
identied by the participants at the highest rate were extremely terried
and disgusted, while the images that were correctly identied at the
lowest rate were those expressing concern and anxiety (TABLE III).
In the study, it was determined that those who correctly evaluated
the images of cat body language at the highest rate were females,
associate’s and bachelor’s degree graduates, 21–40 years old, and
those who spent 1–5 h with their cats during the day. The total time
spent with their cats by those who evaluated the images of cat body
language was similar. On the contrary, men, those with postgraduate
education, those aged 20 and under and 51 and over, and those who
spent 11 or more h with their cats during the day were able to make
correct evaluations at lower rates (TABLE IV).
Bennett et al. [22] reported that there was little significant
correlation between the personality dimensions and descriptive
variables such as owner’s age, cat age and owner’s experience of
cat ownership. This report is similar to the ndings in our study. In
the light of the ndings and literature reports, it is thought that it is
dicult to fully understand the body language of cats determined
by visual communication tools such as pictures and gures. For
understanding normal cat behavior and correcting misconceptions
and also eliminate of risk of welfare and behavioral problems that may
occur when cats’ needs are not met educate of cat owners is useful.
CONCLUSION
In this study, the differences between genders and the duration of
cat ownership were not found to be statistically signicant in terms
_____________________________________________________________________________Revista Cientifica, FCV-LUZ / Vol. XXXIV, rcfcv-e34400
5 of 5
of the rates of cat owners’ correct understanding and evaluation
of cat body language. But the differences between the categories
of education, age and time spent with the cat during the day were
found to be signicant. The images that were correctly identied
by the participants at the highest rate were extremely terried and
disgusted, while the images that were correctly identied at the
lowest rate were those expressing concern and anxiety.
Because there are so many interactions that need to be assessed
and monitored, it is not always possible to fully assess individual cat
body language, even if cat owners have owned their cats for a long
time and spend a lot of time together during the day. Nevertheless, it
is important that non–standardized feline body language is learned by
cat owners in order to describe a cat’s behavior. By knowing their body
language, it may be possible to recognize and assess their emotional
motivations. In this way, their fear and pain can be prevented and
their care can be improved.
In order to achieve this, it is recommended that organize courses
on feline body language and that cat owners be encouraged to attend
these courses and that they be implemented as a prerequisite for
the adoption process.
Ethical statement
The study was approved by the Erzincan Binali Yıldırım University
Human Research Ethics Committee (Decision no: 04/15–30.04.2020).
Conict of interest statement
The authors declare there is no conict of interest.
BIBLIOGRAPHIC REFERENCES
[1] Crowell–Davis SL, Curtis TM, Knowles RJ. Social organization in
the cat: a modern understanding. J. Feline Med. Surg. [Internet].
2004; 6(1):19–28. doi: https://doi.org/c7bcph
[2] Odendaal JSJ. Science–based assessment of animal welfare:
Companion animals. Rev. Sci. Tech. [Internet]. 2005 [cited 12
Jan. 2024]; 24(2):493–502. Available in: doi: https://goo.su/YvTd
[3] Ellis SLH. Environmental enrichment: Practical Strategies for
Improving Feline Welfare. J. Feline Med. Surg. [Internet]. 2009;
11(11):901–912. doi: https://doi.org/fvdrnr
[4] Desforges EJ, Moesta A, Farnworth MJ. Effect of a shelf–furnished
screen on space utilisation and social behaviour of indoor
group–housed cats (Felis silvestris catus). Appl. Anim. Behav.
Sci. [Internet]. 2016; 178:60–68. doi: https://doi.org/f8kgt2
[5] Sonntag Q, Overall KL. Key determinants of dog and cat welfare:
behaviour, breeding and household lifestyle. Rev. Sci. Tech. Int.
Epiz. [Internet]. 2014; 33(1):213–220. doi: https://doi.org/gg6qcv
[6] Rochlitz I. A review of the housing requirements of domestic cats
(Felis silvestris catus) kept in the home. Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci.
[Internet]. 2005; 93(1–2):97–109. doi: https://doi.org/dmzbdk
[7] Strickler BL, Shull EA. An owner survey of toys, activities, and
behavior problems in indoor cats. J. Vet. Behav. [Internet]. 2014;
9(5):207–214. doi: https://doi.org/gt5x7p
[8] Ceylan E. Kedi sahiplerinin en sık yaptığı 25 hata [The 25 Most
Common Mistakes Made by Cat Owners] [Internet]. 2023 [cited
10 Sep. 2023]; Available in: https://goo.su/iZNdF
[9] Seksel K. Fear, aggression, communication, body language and
social relationships in cats. Eur. J. Companion Anim. Pract.
[Internet]. 2014 [cited 2 Feb. 2024]; 24(3):20–27. Available in:
https://goo.su/zYyy3V
[10] Ellis SLH. Recognising and assessing feline emotions during the
consultation: History, body language and behaviour. J. Feline Med.
Surg. [Internet]. 2018; 20(5):445–456. doi: https://doi.org/gdj2w9.
[11] Erten Ö, Esen F, Şeker İ, Yüksel BF. Kedi sahiplerinin kedilerinin beden
dilini anlama seviyelerinin belirlenmesi: Elazığ İli örneği [Determining
The Level of Cat Owners’ Body Language Understanding: The Elazığ
Province Example]. Erciyes Üniv. Vet. Fak. Derg. [Internet]. 2022;
19(1):18–23. Turkish. doi: https://doi.org/gt5x7q
[12] Mariti C, Guerrini F, Vallini V, Bowen JE, Fatjó J, Diverio S, Sighieri
C, Gazzano A. The perception of cat stress by Italian owners. J.
Vet. Behav. [Internet]. 2017; 20:74–81. doi: https://doi.org/gt5x7r
[13] Chin L. Kitty Language, An Illustrated Guide to Understanding Your
Cat. Berkeley (California, USA): Ten Speed Press; 2023. 160p.
[14] Salgırlı Y, Emre B, Besgül K, Öztürk H, Sağmanlıgil V. Köpek
sahiplerinin köpeklerine yaklaşımlarının değerlendirilmesi
üzerine bir pilot çalışma [A pilot study on assessment of dog
owners’ attitude towards their dogs]. Ankara Üniv Vet Fak Derg.
[Internet]. 2012; 59(1):11–15. Turkish. doi: https://doi.org/gt5x7s
[15] Demir P, Uğurlu Koç A. Pet Hayvan (Kedi–Köpek) Sahiplerinin
Veteriner Kliniklerine İlişkin Beklentileri [Pet animals (cats and
dogs) owners prospects for the veterinary clinics]. İstanbul Üniv.
Vet. Fak. Derg. [Internet]. 2014 [cited 12 Jan. 2024]; 40(2):168–
175. Turkish. Available in: doi: https://goo.su/BWVbBYU
[16] Akgül A. Tıbbi Araştırmalarda İstatistiksel Analiz Teknikleri “SPSS
Uygulamaları”. 3
rd
ed. Ankara (Türkiye): Alfa Yayınları; 2005. 254p.
[17] IBM Corp. Released 2015. IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows,
Version 23.0. Armonk, NY: IBM Corp.
[18] Westgarth C, Pinchbeck GL, Bradshaw JWS, Dawson S, Gaskell
RM, Christley RM. Factors associated with cat ownership in a
community in the UK. Vet. Rec. [Internet]. 2010; 166(12):354–357.
doi: https://doi.org/fnmkm5
[19] Grigg EK, Kogan LR. Owners’ attitudes, knowledge, and care
practices: exploring the implications for domestic cat behavior
and welfare in the home. Animals [Internet]. 2019; 9(11):978. doi:
https://doi.org/gqbfdd
[20] Galvan M, Vonk J. Man’s other best friend: Domestic cats (F.silvestris
catus) and their discrimination of human emotion cues. Anim. Cogn.
[Internet]. 2016; 19:193–205. doi: https://doi.org/f755p3
[21] Eriksson M, Keeling LJ, Rehn T. Cats and owners interact more
with each other after a longer duration of separation. PLoS One.
[Internet]. 2017; 12(10):e0185599. doi: https://doi.org/cpsd
[22] Bennett PC, Rutter NJ, Woodhead JK, Howell TJ. Assessment of
domestic cat personality, as perceived by 416 owners, suggests
six dimensions. Behav. Processes [Internet]. 2017; 141(Pt 3):273–
283. doi: https://doi.org/gbqjnr
