A camera has undoubtedly become one of the essential tools for cat owners. Not only can it monitor your cat’s activities when you’re away from home… it also allows you to “replay” your cat’s every move… and most importantly, it satisfies a cat owner’s desire to “soothe” their cat from anywhere, anytime. But have you ever wondered how your cat perceives the camera? For example, with a two-way audio camera, does your cat know it’s you when you’re talking to them?
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How Do Cats Perceive Cameras?
While we can’t directly interview cats in “cat language,” we can deduce their attitudes toward cameras based on their behavior. Here are a few general reactions:First, Attack Then Assess — Much like when a new piece of furniture or appliance enters the house, a camera is often treated as an unfamiliar “intruder.” Its strange smell will likely be identified by your cat as a “new addition” to the home. If the camera moves, lights up, or makes sounds (like electrical hums or turning noises), it becomes even more interesting to cats, leading them to sniff, paw, and even swipe at it to investigate. If you try to use the camera’s two-way audio feature before your cat is familiar with it, it could startle them, or they might view it as an intruder trying to invade their territory. So, if you’ve just installed a camera, avoid using the audio feature immediately. It’s best to allow your cat to adjust by gradually getting used to the camera’s presence first. If you have a feeding device with a two-way communication function, try to avoid turning on the audio while your cat is eating, as the “talking food bowl” might leave a lasting psychological impression on more skittish cats.Observe First, Then Relax — When there’s no immediate threat, cats usually lower their guard after adjusting to a new object over time. After a period of adaptation, cats will generally become less reactive to the camera’s sounds and movement. Some cats may even stop paying attention to the camera altogether.Intimate Exploration — If you frequently call your cat through the camera or chat with them, some cats may start showing signs of affection or curiosity toward the camera. They might treat it as a new companion or even an extension of you, as if the camera is your “avatar.” But this raises the question: if you regularly speak to your cat via the camera, can they really recognize you?
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Can Cats Recognize Us Through the Camera?
Do They Know It’s You Speaking?In 2013, a study in Japan confirmed that cats can distinguish between the voices of their owners and strangers, and they can also recognize recordings of their owners. The test involved playing recordings of both the owner’s and a stranger’s voices calling the cat’s name, and observing the cat’s body language changes: when the stranger’s voice was played multiple times, the cat gradually became accustomed to the “noise,” showing less reaction. However, when the owner’s voice was played repeatedly, the cat recognized the familiar sound and responded more actively, displaying more noticeable changes in body language such as ears, eyes, and tail movements, as well as more frequent meowing and movement.So, to sum it up: if the camera’s sound quality isn’t too poor or distorted, most cats can identify their owner’s voice based on tone and pitch, and the likelihood of recognition increases if you often call your cat’s name in daily interactions.Can Cats Recognize Your Face on the Screen?Some cameras with two-way video (such as tablets) not only provide sound but also visuals. But can your cat recognize you by your face on the screen? A 2005 joint experiment between the University of Texas and Pennsylvania State University found that cats have a lower ability to recognize human faces (with an accuracy rate of 54.5%), compared to dogs (88.2%). However, a more recent study published in Nature in 2022 found that when both your face and voice are shown together on the screen, cats tend to recognize their owner more quickly. Interestingly, when the audio and visual cues didn’t match, cats would pay more attention to the screen, seemingly confused.So, in conclusion: some cats can indeed recognize their owner’s face on the screen, and if they also hear the owner’s voice, the chances of recognition may increase. But given that about half of cats are face-blind, don’t expect your cat to always recognize your face.What about calling your cat when you’re away? Should you talk to them via the camera to comfort them, or could it make them more anxious?
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Should You Talk to Your Cat Through the Camera?
While the existence of separation anxiety in cats is still debated and has no clear conclusion, some cats do exhibit abnormal behaviors when their owners are away, especially if they are gone for long periods. These behaviors are often seen as signs of boredom, anxiety, or missing their owner:Restless pacing and sad-sounding meowing.Searching for hidden, secure spots within the house.Trying to alleviate discomfort by staying with their favorite toy.Urinating or defecating in inappropriate places, or laying down excessively.Searching for or tearing up the owner’s clothing.Excessive grooming, even to the point of bald patches.So, if a cat hears their owner’s voice through the camera, will it soothe their emotions or exacerbate their anxiety?In many cases where owners have left home, cats have shown positive reactions to hearing their owner’s voice. However, there are also some cats that, upon hearing their owner’s voice, become more agitated, pacing around and meowing sadly. This suggests that while some cats might find comfort in their owner’s voice, others may feel more distressed.
It’s like when people are away from home and eat a dish from their hometown. For some, it might ease their homesickness, while for others, it might make them miss home even more. The same applies to cats. So, whether or not you should call your cat through the camera really depends on the cat itself.Do you think the comfort of hearing your voice through the camera is helpful for your cat?
