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Cats can tell when being spoken to, study finds
Research highlights the importance of one-to-one relationships for cats.
Research finds cats more responsive to 'baby voice'.

Researchers from Paris Nanterre University have found that cats may tune into owners' tone of voice in order to tell whether they are being spoken to.

While the way in which dogs respond to dog-directed speech (DDS) has been the subject of much study, much less research has been done on how cats perceive and respond to cat-directed speech (CDS). 

Cat-directed speech in current culture shares features with speech addressed to young children, characterised by a higher pitch and a more melodic tone. 

The research team conducted an experiment with 16 companion cats, playing back recordings of their owners using CDS and typical adult-directed speech (ADS), and measured the cat's reaction, noting behaviours that indicate that a cat has tuned-in to a sound.

This playback experiment found that the cats could discriminate between speech addressed to them from speech addressed to other adults when spoken by their owners. 

However, when played sentences in ADS and CDS spoken by strangers, the cats did not appear to distinguish between the two.

Charlotte de Mouzon, lead author for the study, told The Guardian: For a long time it has been thought that cats are very independent creatures, only interested in [humans for] eating and shelter, but the fact that they react specifically to their owner, and not just anybody addressing them, supports the idea that they are attached.

“It brings further evidence to encourage humans to consider cats as sensitive and communicative individuals.”

'Discrimination of cat-directed speech from human-directed speech in a population of indoor companion cats (Felis catus)' has been published in Animal Cognition.

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Defra shares new Sanitary and Phytosanitary guidance

News Story 1
 Defra has published guidance for the vet sector ahead of a proposed UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement.

The agreement, which will change the movement and trade of animals and related products, could see reductions in checks, paperwork and certification. As well as describing regulatory developments, the advice highlights the importance of animal ID, registration and traceability in disease control and other compliance arrangements.

The guidance can be found here. More detail is expected as negotiations progress. 

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News Shorts
Lords Committee opens Pet Parasite Medication inquiry

The House of Lords Environment and Climate Change Committee will launch its inquiry into Pet Parasite Medication (PPM) on Wednesday (3 June).

Focusing on treatments containing fipronil and imidacloprid, the inquiry will seek to understand distribution pathways and the impacts of PPM use and non-use on biodiversity and human health. It will also cover current regulation, monitoring, and the potential implications for pets and their owners.

The committee will hear evidence from environmental non-governmental organisations and research institutes. The public can follow the proceedings live on Parliament TV or in person in the Palace of Westminster.