The liquid nature of cats in recent studies

The internet is filled with pictures and videos of cats squeezing into impossibly small boxes, bowls, and other containers, perfectly illustrating the popular meme, “if I fits, I sits.” This seemingly quirky behavior has long been a source of amusement for cat owners, but now, science is providing a deeper understanding of the fascinating cognitive processes behind it. A recent study has delved into the spatial awareness of our feline friends, revealing that while they may seem like masters of conforming to any space, their abilities are more nuanced than we might think. [1]

The Experiment: Putting Feline Flexibility to the Test

To investigate this phenomenon, Dr. Péter Pongrácz, an ethologist at Eötvös Loránd University in Hungary, and his team designed an experiment to test how cats perceive and navigate through openings of various sizes. Recognizing that cats can be stressed in unfamiliar laboratory settings, the researchers cleverly brought the experiment to the cats’ own homes. A total of 30 cats participated in the study, where they were encouraged by their owners to pass through a cardboard barrier with an adjustable rectangular opening. [2]

The researchers tested the cats under two different conditions:

  • Decreasing Width: The height of the opening was kept comfortably high, while the width was gradually made smaller.
  • Decreasing Height: The width of the opening was kept comfortably wide, while the height was gradually made smaller.

By observing the cats’ hesitation, or lack thereof, the researchers could gain insights into their awareness of their own body dimensions. [3]

The Surprising Results: Masters of Width, Mindful of Height

The findings of the study were quite revealing. When faced with an opening that was getting progressively narrower, the cats showed little to no hesitation. They would confidently approach and attempt to squeeze through, even when the opening was smaller than their own body width. This led the researchers to describe them as being “basically like liquids” in this dimension. [4]

However, the cats’ behavior was markedly different when the height of the opening was reduced. In this scenario, they showed clear signs of hesitation, often pausing to assess the situation before attempting to pass through. Taller cats were even more likely to seek alternative routes, such as jumping over the barrier, when faced with a particularly short opening. This suggests that cats have a keen awareness of their body height, but not necessarily their width. [5]

The Science Behind the Squeeze: Anatomy and Evolution

So, why this difference in perception? The answer lies in a combination of the cat’s unique anatomy and its evolutionary history.

Cats have incredibly flexible bodies, thanks in large part to their free-floating clavicles (collarbones) which are not rigidly attached to their shoulder blades. This allows them to squeeze through narrow spaces that would be impossible for other animals, like dogs, to navigate. Their whiskers also play a role, acting as tactile sensors that help them gauge the width of an opening up close. [6]

The hesitation cats show when faced with a short opening is likely a holdover from their wild ancestors. For a predator, crouching down to squeeze through a low opening could be a vulnerable position, as it would obscure their view of potential threats on the other side. This instinct to be cautious about low spaces seems to have persisted even in the safety of our homes. [7]

What This Means for Our Understanding of Cats

This research provides a fascinating glimpse into the minds of our feline companions. It shows that they possess a more complex form of self-awareness than previously thought, one that is selectively applied based on the specific spatial challenge they face. So, the next time you see your cat pouring itself into a tiny box, you’ll know that you’re not just witnessing a cute and quirky behavior, but a sophisticated interplay of anatomy, evolution, and cognition.

References

[1] Pongrácz, P. (2024). Cats are (almost) liquid!—Cats selectively rely on body size awareness when negotiating short openings. iScience. https://www.cell.com/iscience/fulltext/S2589-0042(24)02024-8

[2] Smithsonian Magazine. (2024). Cats May Be Aware of Their Body Size, Suggests Study of Their Famously ‘Liquid’ Behavior. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/cats-may-be-aware-of-their-body-size-suggests-study-of-their-famously-liquid-behavior-180985282/

[3] Science. (2024). Yes, cats are liquids—but only in one dimension. https://www.science.org/content/article/yes-cats-are-liquids-only-one-dimension

[4] IFLScience. (2024). Cats Know Their Height But Not Width When Confronted With Small Openings. https://www.iflscience.com/cats-know-their-height-but-not-width-when-confronted-with-small-openings-76037

[5] Phys.org. (2024). Do cats know their own dimensions and use that knowledge to get through tight spaces? https://phys.org/news/2024-09-cats-dimensions-knowledge-tight.html

[6] Science News Explores. (2024). When do cats move like liquids? https://www.snexplores.org/article/cats-liquid-behavior-body-awareness

[7] The Independent. (2024). Cats basically are liquid after all – pet owners already knew it, but now it’s official. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/cats-are-liquid-meme-shape-fluid-b2652759.html