05/01/2025
PET your cat (and dog) daily, even after they are rescued.
BREAKING MEWS: Study Reveals that Actions Speak Louder than Words for Terrified Shelter Cats
(MEDICAL/RESCUE) Queensland, Australia — When it comes to cats who suddenly find themselves in an animal shelter, we kitties are at a huge disadvantage; in the wild, we're prey. So, in our minds, anything we don’t recognize might eat us. Suddenly, we’re surrounded by strange people, strange animals and strange smells. Stuck in a cage, we're positive something at that shelter wants to have us for dinner. All we can do is cower in the litter box. That doesn’t make us any more adoptable.
Fortunately, recent research offers insights into how humans can help shut-down kitties feel more at ease.
A peer-reviewed study from RSPCA Queensland, recently published in the Journal of Veterinary Behavior, reveals that the key to transforming a nervous, litter box-hugging bundle of nerves into an adoptable charmer isn’t baby talk or treats—it’s six minutes of petting per day.
Researchers tested various “gentling” techniques—aka touchy-feely trials—on fearful shelter cats. They wanted to know whether head-to-tail strokes, soft talking, and peaceful human presence would ease feline stress in shelter and hospital settings.
The study showed:
• 6-minute silent sessions worked best: Kitties hung out near the front of the cage, relaxed on the floor rather than retreating to a perch, and showed adopt-me behaviors like purring, eating, and drinking.
• Three 2-minute sessions: Less effective. Probably too much like speed dating.
• Petting with soft talking: canceled out benefits—cats withdrew or zoned out.
• Longer sessions (9 minutes): Also good, but no big bonus over 6 minutes.
• Strangers: New handlers got a cold reception—only familiar faces earned a purr.
Rejecting conversation was the real shocker. The same cats who relaxed and purred during silent sessions stiffened, retreated or parked themselves in the litter box when volunteers started chatting during cuddles. The vocalizations canceled out the calming benefits entirely. Apparently, “Who’s a fluffy baby?” backfired.
Trust Building: One Human at a Time
In the second part of the study, the chill vibes only showed up when the same human provided the pets over the 4-day period. Newcomers didn't receive the same warm reception.
While the research didn’t directly test what happens when multiple people form individual bonds with the same cat, it does suggest:
• Each individual human has to earn our trust. Everyone starts from scratch. Feline approval, it turns out, doesn’t transfer. Even if one person builds rapport, the next human will have to do the work themselves.
• However, it’s not harmful for multiple people to build new relationships—as long as it’s done gradually, thoughtfully, and one at a time.
It’s worth noting that extended petting sessions aren’t every cat’s cup of catnip tea. Different floofs may need different strategies—or just more time and patience to come around on their own. It’s estimated that 20% of kitties aren’t fans of being petted, even if they’ve been socialized to humans.
And for some kitties with arthritis, unknown injuries, hyperesthesia, past abuse, or a timid nature, even gentle touching might cause them to go into full retreat mode. (McCune, 1995.) These cats might need a bit of trial and error to discover what tickles their whiskers.
Why It Matters
Shy, shut-down, or stressed-out cats often get overlooked in shelters—not because they’re unlovable, but because they’re invisible. This gentling technique helps terrified cats show who they really are, not just who they are under stress.
Even better? It doesn’t require fancy equipment, specialized training, or extra money. Just calm hands, quiet time, and the ability to not fill the silence.
So if you’re in clinic, rescue, shelter work or fostering, and wondering how to help homeless furballs blossom into their best self…Shhh. Just pet. The science has spoken.
Source: “The effects of the frequency and method of gentling on the behavior of cats in shelters” by Liu S, Paterson M, Camarri S, Murray L, and Phillips CJC, published in the Journal of Veterinary Behavior (2020;39:47–56). DOI: 10.1016/j.jveb.2020.07.007
McCune, S. (1995). The impact of paternity and early socialisation on the development of cats' behaviour to people and novel objects. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 45(1–2), 109–124. https://doi.org/10.1016/0168-1591(95)00603-P
