Researchers require cat-related content from you for their studies
Researchers at Ruhr University Bochum Study Cat Body Language
Neuroscientists at Ruhr University Bochum, in collaboration with researchers from Canada, Italy, and Turkey, are conducting an intriguing study on cat body language. The research, which focuses on understanding the sleeping position, paw preference, and tail posture of cats, is attracting cat owners worldwide.
A key finding of the study so far is that cats tend to prefer sleeping on their left side, with approximately 65% of observed cases showing this preference. This sleeping position could be linked to the brain's efficiency in processing environmental stimuli upon waking, allowing cats to monitor their surroundings more effectively and quickly detect potential threats.
Another aspect of the study investigates the factors associated with a cat's paw preference. Cats, like humans, can exhibit a preference for using their right or left paw. To shed light on this preference, researchers are asking cat owners to record their pets fishing treats out of a niche with a paw. This behavior provides insights into neurological and behavioral lateralization in cats.
The study also aims to decode the meaning behind a cat's tail posture, which is less understood compared to dogs. By analysing tail positions, the researchers hope to gain insights into a cat's mental and emotional states.
To facilitate this research, the scientists have launched a participation campaign, attracting over 500 cat owners from various countries. Interested cat owners can participate by recording short cellphone videos of their cats in three specific situations: sleeping position, paw usage in a treat-reaching task, and natural tail posture. The videos should meet certain conditions, such as clear visibility of the cat and suitable context, to ensure their usefulness in the study.
This citizen science approach aims to gather extensive, diverse data to help decode cat behaviors through neurological and behavioral analysis. For more information and to submit videos, cat owners can visit the Ruhr University Bochum's website, where the details for participation are usually provided.
It's worth noting that, unlike research on dogs, the study of cats is not as advanced. The meaning behind a cat's tail posture, for instance, remains largely unexplored. This research aims to bridge this gap and provide a better understanding of our feline friends.
The study at Ruhr University Bochum not only delves into cat body language but also investigates the connection between feline health-and-wellness and lifestyle, as they are seeking to decode the meaning behind a cat's tail posture to gain insights into a cat's mental-health state. This citizen science project, focusing on understanding sleeping positions and paw preferences in cats, can offer valuable information about pets' neurological and behavioral patterns. Cat owners interested in contributing can visit the Ruhr University Bochum's website to learn more about participation requirements and submit videos of their pets.
