Cats, those enigmatic and often inscrutable companions, are proving to be even more expressive than we once believed. A recent study published in the journal “Behavioural Processes” has unveiled the remarkable finding that domestic cats possess a staggering 276 distinct facial expressions, each serving a unique purpose in their communication.
This groundbreaking study was a collaborative effort between Brittany Florkiewicz, an evolutionary psychologist from Lyon College in Arkansas, and Lauren Scott, a medical student hailing from the University of Kansas Medical Center. The researchers collected their data by filming 53 cats at the CatCafé Lounge in Los Angeles, conducting their observations from August 2021 to the following June. All of the feline subjects were adult domestic shorthairs, spanning both genders and having undergone neutering or spaying.
Over the course of their study, the researchers captured a total of 194 minutes of video footage, which included 186 interactions among the cats. To analyze the cats’ facial expressions, they employed the Facial Action Coding System, a specialized tool designed specifically for studying feline expressions. It’s noteworthy that the study excluded facial muscle movements related to breathing and yawning.
While the researchers were unable to decipher the precise meaning behind each of the 276 expressions, they categorized the observed expressions into two primary categories. Approximately 51.45% of the expressions were deemed friendly, while the remaining 48.55% leaned toward aggression. Friendly expressions were typified by cats moving their ears and whiskers forward with closed eyes. On the other hand, aggressive cats displayed constricted pupils and ears flattened against their heads.
This research is groundbreaking as it addresses the scarcity of literature on feline behavior. Previous studies had primarily concentrated on the extensive history of cat-human interaction over thousands of years of domestication. The study at the CatCafé Lounge, however, provided invaluable insights by documenting spontaneous interactions among the cats and recording their diverse and nuanced facial expressions.
The findings emphasize the complexity of feline communication and offer a fascinating glimpse into the rich tapestry of expressions cats employ to convey their feelings and intentions. In doing so, the study underscores the remarkable world of understanding that exists between humans and their feline companions.
