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Cats are 'misunderstood' not aloof

RVC study suggests owners misread signals

According to behaviourists, the results of a new study suggest that feline body language is largely misunderstood by their owners, earning them a reputation for being "aloof".

As part of the UK's first CatWatch Day, 600 people observed their cats' behaviour on May 6 and completed a survey.

Having analysed the results, Jon Bowen, animal behaviour consultant at the Royal Veterinary College (RVC), says cats try to interact with their owners as they would a fellow feline.

"This communication is much more subtle than we are used to and is often missed by owners," he explains.


For example, owners often expect greetings to involve physical contact, yet a common cat greeting is to blink and then sit close but not touching.


Further, the findings suggest that cats adapt their behaviour to accommodate their owners' lifestyle. Cats involved in the study engaged in 40 per cent more activities when their owners were at home.


However, Jon says: "Owners did not rate their cats as more active at any time of day so there is a discrepancy between what owners think of as ‘activity’, and what cats actually do."


These findings have wider implications when it comes to feline health, as behavioural changes indicative of ill health may not be spotted.


"The results from CatWatch Day show that even devoted cat owners may miss the signs that their pet is under stress and so are not taking measures to prevent it," Jon says.


"If owners are tuned into their cat’s routine it will be easier to spot a change in frequency of feeding, greetings, play and amount of time spent outside."

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Cats mirror their owners' behaviour

 

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
New guidance for antibiotic use in rabbits

New best practice guidance on the responsible use of antibiotics in rabbits has been published by the BSAVA in collaboration with the Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund (RWA&F).

The guidance is free and has been produced to help veterinary practitioners select the most appropriate antibiotic for rabbits. It covers active substance, dose and route of administration all of which are crucial factors when treating rabbits owing to the risk of enterotoxaemia.

For more information and to access the guide, visit the BSAVALibrary.