Are Cats Really Less Social?

[FamTimes = Reporter Woo Ji-young] Cats are often thought to be less social than dogs. However, a study has found that cats prefer social interaction over other options.

On the 27th, Britain's The Telegraph reported that researchers at Oregon State University in the United States had published intriguing findings in the latest issue of the experimental psychology journal Behavioural Process. According to the study, cats prefer spending time with people to eating food.

The researchers said they conducted the study to investigate the claim that cats are antisocial.

They gathered 50 cats, including cats that lived with families and cats housed at animal shelters. For several hours, the cats were kept away from food, toys and people.

Afterward, the cats were exposed to food, toys and people again and allowed to choose one of the three.

The results defied expectations. About 50% of the cats chose to spend time with people, while only 37% chose food.

The study also found that cats enjoy a social life in which they receive human affection and attention, regardless of whether they have a home or family.

The researchers said, "This study revealed that many cats prefer social stimuli, such as interacting with people."

However, the study was limited by its small sample size and its inability to account for differences between individual cats.

Reporter Woo Ji-young (wjy@famtimes.co.kr)