To Get a Man’s Attention, Cats Meow Louder

Study Finds Male Owners Hear More Vocal Greetings

In a small but intriguing study, researchers discovered that domestic cats tend to increase their vocalizations when interacting with male owners compared to female caregivers. The findings suggest that felines may instinctively use louder or more frequent meows to capture the attention of men, who often respond less promptly to subtle cues.

Participants included 30 households with both male and female owners. Over a two‑week observation period, cats were recorded during everyday interactions such as feeding, playtime, and casual petting. The audio analysis revealed that male‑directed meows were, on average, 27% longer and 33% more frequent than those aimed at women in the same environment.

Lead researcher Dr. Elena Martínez explained, “Cats are highly attuned to the behavior of their human companions. When a man appears less responsive, a cat may resort to a louder, more demanding meow to ensure its needs are met.”

While the study’s sample size is modest, the results open the door to further investigation into how gender dynamics shape human‑pet communication. Future research may explore whether similar patterns exist with other animals or in different cultural contexts.