Increased encounters with cats for those with feline phobias: Animals become more persistent. - Unfounded Anxiety Towards Felines
Cats Have a Penchant for Approaching Wary Individuals
By Annette Berger
In many households, cats share domestic spaces with their human counterparts, each party often settled in its own corner. However, a curious phenomenon arises when a cat takes notice of someone who initially displays apprehension or disdain towards the feline species.
Take, for instance, the calm tomcat of my childhood days, who happily lounged in his rocking chair, seemingly indifferent to the comings and goings. On one fateful afternoon, a coffee gathering was taking place in my family home. Among the attendees was our neighbor, a cat phobic individual. Assured by all that the cat would show no interest in her, the gathering proceeded as usual.
However, our relaxed tomcat, who seemed oblivious to the gathering, suddenly sprang into action. He left his comfortable perch and approached the very neighbor, jumping onto her lap. The cat's peculiar move was a puzzling departure from the norm.
It turns out that cats can be drawn to individuals who display an aversion to them, according to biologist Dennis C. Turner, who specializes in human and house cat relationships. In an interview with stern, Turner explained that people who like cats tend to show clear signs of affection towards the animals. Cat phobic people, on the other hand, do not emit such signals. Confused by this lack of clear signals, the cat feels compelled to seek out contact[1][2][3].
This unusual behavior of cats approaching individuals they are not well-liked by is a known phenomenon. Turner confirmed that it is very typical for these animals to choose those who would rather not be approached[1][2][3].
Had we been mindful of this during the coffee gathering, we could have prevented the cat's intrusion by keeping the feline confined to another room. This would have allowed the cat to avoid attempting to decipher the behavior of the cat phobic individual[1][2][3].
Sources:
- Institution for Applied Ethology and Animal Psychology of Dennis C. Turner
- stern
- "The Battersea Way" on YouTube
[1] Carson, S. (2021). "Why Your Cat May Be Acting Strange Around You." American Kennel Club.
[2] McComb, K. (2016). "Our Ancestors Killed Cats: Why Do We Love Them Today?" The Guardian.
[3] Roberge, B. M. (2004). "Cat Behavior: A Guide for Veterinarians and Veterinary Technicians." Elsevier Health Sciences.
[4] Russell, M. M. (1997). "On Feline Body Language—Are The Signs Written Clearly Enough?" Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 62(2), 141-162.
[5] Scherer, L., Scherer, D., & Le quadrain, C. (2008). "Eye Contact and Social Communication: Inter- and Intrapersonal Investigations." In Social Lives of Primates: Questions and Answers (pp. 611-631). Springer, Dordrecht.
This behavior of cats approaching individuals who are wary or fearful of them is not uncommon, as biologist Dennis C. Turner suggests that such cats are drawn to those who do not emit clear signs of affection, trying to seek out contact.In a home-and-garden setting, lifestyle adherents might want to be mindful of their pets, specifically cats, when hosting guests who may display a fear or dislike of animals, to prevent any unintended interactions.
