Half of cats chose human contact over treats
#0060 Animals & plants
Fact rank
A
The numbers were checked in the paper itself (primary). The sample is small (38 cats) and the difference between interaction and food was not statistically significant, so not S
Wow rank
S
A counterexample to the idea that cats are aloof
Usefulness
B
A hint to engage with interaction rather than only treats
Verification: Supported by evidence
AI verification reports the evidence it found; it does not guarantee that a claim is true.
In an experiment where cats chose between human interaction, food, toys and scents, half of 38 cats (19) preferred human interaction most, while 14 preferred food most.
Why
The researchers suggest that, for cats living with people, human interaction is itself rewarding (the authors' interpretation).Evidence
Primary Abstract of Vitale Shreve et al. (2017, Behavioural Processes). Social interaction with humans was the most-preferred stimulus category for the majority of cats link
Primary Full text of the same paper. 38 cats (19 pets and 19 shelter cats). Most preferred: interaction 19, food 14, toys 4, scent 1; the difference between interaction and food was not significant (p=0.35). Interaction was provided by the owner for pet cats and by an experimenter for shelter cats link
Notes and limits
There were four options (interaction, food, toys, scent). The "37%" often seen in news reports is not stated in the paper; it is 14/38 rounded.
Derivations
Derived from: 猫がおなかを見せて転がっても触ってほしいとは限らない
Derived facts: —