It seems like every so often, a meme kicks off involving the reaction of cats, often very funny to people, to some object or an interaction with humans. A while back it was video after video of cats freaking out to discover a cucumber near them.
Cats getting pointed at video meme
The latest viral meme involves people point at cats. In these videos, the cat’s reaction is comical with the feline adopting a defensive stance and intensely negative stare at the offending finger.
While the people filming these short video clips often laugh, the cats’ reactions are consistently negative. Ears pinned back, tails puffed up, sideways crab walks, and an intense focus on the pointed finger all indicate discomfort.
Why do cats perceive being pointed at as a negative experience? Understanding this behavior requires a closer look at how cats communicate, their instinctual responses, and how felines understand human gestures.
How cats use body language to communicate
Cats are highly attuned to body language, both in other animals and in humans. They rely heavily on non-verbal cues to communicate with their environment, whether it’s signaling contentment with a slow blink or indicating annoyance with a flick of the tail. While cats understand directional pointing as a way to get their attention focused, pointing directly at a cat is often not received well.
When a human points at a cat, especially with direct eye contact, it can be perceived as a confrontational or dominant action. In the animal kingdom, direct gestures, especially those that are directed straight at another individual, can be seen as a challenge or a threat. This is particularly true if the gesture is accompanied by a sudden or intense movement or directly staring at the cat. The combination of pointing and staring can startle or unsettle a cat.
Previous research on cat to human communication has demonstrated that cats often will try to interpret the human gaze for context when it comes to gestures.
A cat’s response to pointing
Cats are natural hunters, and their instincts are finely tuned to detect and react to potential threats. When a cat sees a finger pointing at them, their first instinct might be to assess whether the gesture poses any danger.
The pointed finger may be seen as an object of focus or even a threat, rather than a simple directional cue. This could lead to a defensive reaction, such as backing away, hissing, or swatting at the hand
Why some cats may not mind being pointed at
As with the cucumber meme, not all cats react negatively to being pointed at. Some cats, especially those that are very comfortable with their human companions, might not see pointing as a threat. These cats may have learned to associate pointing with something positive, such as being given a treat or a toy. Over time, they may come to understand that the gesture is harmless and might even ignore it entirely.
However, this acceptance is usually the result of a strong bond and a high level of trust between the cat and the human. Even in these cases, the cat is likely responding more to the overall context of the interaction rather than the pointing itself.
How to respond to your cat’s reaction to pointing
If you notice that your cat reacts negatively to being pointed at, it’s very important to respect their boundaries. While it might seem amusing to provoke a strong reaction to something we, as humans, see as harmless, doing so can affect the trust your cat has in you.
Cats have individual personalities, and what might be acceptable for one cat could be unsettling for another. Instead of pointing, try using softer gestures to communicate with your cat. For instance, slow blinking at your cat is a well-known sign of affection and can help to build trust.
It’s also important to consider the context in which you are pointing. If you are trying to direct your cat’s attention to something, it might be more effective to use a different method, such as gently guiding them with a treat or toy.
References
Cornips, L., van Koppen, M., Leufkens, S., Eide, K. M., & van Zijverden, R. (2023). A linguistic-pragmatic analysis of cat-induced deixis in cat-human interactions. Journal of Pragmatics, 217, 52-68. DOI: 10.1016/j.pragma.2023.09.002.
Pongrácz, P., Szapu, J. S., & Faragó, T. (2019). Cats (Felis silvestris catus) read human gaze for referential information. Intelligence, 74, 43-52. DOI: 10.1016/j.intell.2018.11.001.
