Domestic cats may communicate more subtly than previously thought—using a repertoire of 276 unique facial expressions, according to a new study published last month in Behavioural Processes.
The research, led by evolutionary psychologist Dr. Brittany Florkiewicz of Lyon College and University of Kansas Medical Center student Lauren Scott, analyzed interactions between 53 adult cats at Los Angeles’ CatCafé Lounge. Over 10 months, the team recorded 194 minutes of footage, capturing 186 feline interactions. All observed cats were neutered or spayed domestic shorthairs.
Using the Facial Action Coding System (FACS)—a specialized tool for cats—the researchers cataloged muscle movements linked to expressions, excluding involuntary actions like yawning. While the exact meanings of each expression remain unclear, the study found that 51.45% appeared friendly (characterized by forward ears and whiskers with closed eyes), while 48.55% signaled aggression (flattened ears, constricted pupils).
“Existing literature is sparse, often focusing only on human-cat bonds over domestication history,” Florkiewicz told Live Science. “At the café, we documented spontaneous cat-to-cat interactions, revealing their nuanced facial communication.”
The findings open new avenues for understanding feline social behavior, challenging assumptions about cats’ emotional range.
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