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Cats Won't Help Unless There's a Treat, Study Finds
3 Mar
Summary
- Dogs and toddlers show similar helping behaviors.
- Cats only assist when a favorite treat or toy is involved.
- Domestication alone doesn't create spontaneous helping.
A recent study comparing the helping behaviors of dogs, cats, and toddlers has found that cats are significantly less likely to offer assistance when their owners are struggling. Researchers from Eötvös Loránd University in Hungary observed that while both dogs and young children (16-24 months old) displayed helping behaviors more than three-quarters of the time, cats rarely did.
This difference is attributed to cats domesticating themselves without selective breeding for cooperation, unlike dogs who were bred for tasks like herding and hunting. The study indicated that while dogs and children approached hidden objects to help, cats did not, unless the object was a favored treat or toy. This suggests cats only engage when it directly benefits them, not out of spontaneous altruism.
Despite the findings, researchers emphasize that this does not imply cats are 'mean.' Instead, it reflects their greater independence and lesser reliance on humans compared to dogs. Cats may choose to observe rather than act when there is no relevant reason for them to get involved, a behavior that reflects their unique evolutionary path.
