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The role of cat eye narrowing movements in cat–human communication (2020)

nature.com

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Re: The role of cat eye narrowing movements in cat–human communication (2020)

#41

Post by arethuza »

hef19898 wrote: post #40
arethuza wrote: post #39

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Well it was a successful tactic until things like better discipline, improved bayonet design and cannister shot came along: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Highland_charge Edit: I grew up quite close to Culloden and was shown the 1964 TV movie of the same name a few times at school.

No, it wasn't since days of the Phalanx. And propably way before that.

Sorry - I didn't mean that it was a generally a good idea just that in some contexts it did seem to work.

Re: The role of cat eye narrowing movements in cat–human communication (2020)

#42

Post by hef19898 »

arethuza wrote: post #41
hef19898 wrote: post #40

Earlier quoted context omitted.

No, it wasn't since days of the Phalanx. And propably way before that.

Sorry - I didn't mean that it was a generally a good idea just that in some contexts it did seem to work.

It is decent tactic against a breaking enemy. And when your troops keep some cohesion. The risk is, that the enemy doesn't break completely and you find yourself in loose formation, without cover and exposed, facing a tight enemy force.

Re: The role of cat eye narrowing movements in cat–human communication (2020)

#43

Post by serchinastico »

yard2010 wrote: post #29
legitster wrote: post #5

I actually use this trick all of the time now and it's actually pretty effective. A slow blink when looking at a cat signifies that you don't see them as a threat. So it can help relax strange cats, and it is also a cue from the cat that they are okay with you approaching them.

I use this trick for years, in my experience yawning theatrically gets the same result

Absolutely! Dogs use yawning a lot in their communication if you look close enough. They also have other messages like smelling around, looking away, etc. I think they all might mean something along the lines of "I don't see you as a threat to me so we are good"

Re: The role of cat eye narrowing movements in cat–human communication (2020)

#44

Post by arethuza »

legitster wrote: post #5

I actually use this trick all of the time now and it's actually pretty effective. A slow blink when looking at a cat signifies that you don't see them as a threat. So it can help relax strange cats, and it is also a cue from the cat that they are okay with you approaching them.

My wife uses this approach with our cat and it works. However, when I try it he pays no attention - could be that I've been his main servant for 18+ years so of course I don't see him as a threat or I have glasses any my wife doesn't or sheer feline contrariness ....

Re: The role of cat eye narrowing movements in cat–human communication (2020)

#47

Post by Sharlin »

yard2010 wrote: post #29
legitster wrote: post #5

I actually use this trick all of the time now and it's actually pretty effective. A slow blink when looking at a cat signifies that you don't see them as a threat. So it can help relax strange cats, and it is also a cue from the cat that they are okay with you approaching them.

I use this trick for years, in my experience yawning theatrically gets the same result

Yawning probably goes back at least to the first mammals, it's pretty hard-wired as a standard mammalian social cue signifying a calm and relaxed affect and being in the "rest and digest" parasympathetic mode. It's contagious across species, and even thinking about yawning makes you want to yawn!

Re: The role of cat eye narrowing movements in cat–human communication (2020)

#48

Post by dalben »

fransje26 wrote: post #31
yard2010 wrote: post #29

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I use this trick for years, in my experience yawning theatrically gets the same result

The yawning also helps calming down the guard dogs protecting sheep herds in the mountains.

Huh, thanks for the tip. I'll try this next time I meet a patou!

Re: The role of cat eye narrowing movements in cat–human communication (2020)

#49

Post by Sharlin »

serchinastico wrote: post #43
yard2010 wrote: post #29

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I use this trick for years, in my experience yawning theatrically gets the same result

Absolutely! Dogs use yawning a lot in their communication if you look close enough. They also have other messages like smelling around, looking away, etc. I think they all might mean something along the lines of "I don't see you as a threat to me so we are good"

Cats also regard looking away as a friendly gesture. Which is probably one reason they anecdotally tend to seek out the company of the one person who is allergic or does not like cats. Humans not accustomed to cat body language tend to think of looking away as a sign of aloofness and disinterest instead.

Re: The role of cat eye narrowing movements in cat–human communication (2020)

#50

Post by Sharlin »

zaptheimpaler wrote: post #13

Friendly cats often look sort of sleepy to me, maybe because they do this slow blink sequence when I look at them?

The persistent eyes-half-open state means they're relaxed and resting and yes, consider you a friend so they can afford to be relaxed and resting. They're usually also affectionate and very receptive to pets in that mode. Slow blinks can accompany the half-open-state, or a cat may use a slow blink to go from wideish to half-open eyes.
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