Last week, I made a shocking discovery: my cat Karaoke will come running and nuzzle my face when I whistle. I must say, this was a huge relief -- now that he has an automatic feeder and a stuffed bunny on a string, he isn't much in need of me anymore.
(Oddly enough, the playback of me whistling had no effect on him whatsoever -- he stayed sleeping in my study.)
Like the Pied Piper, I've been abusing my power -- luring Karaoke onto the couch to warm my sockless feet, or into the bathroom to keep me company when I've forgotten toilet reading. He always arrives purring but then looks vaguely disappointed, like he's bought front row tickets to the wrong show. "Hey Buddy!" I'll say, feigning surprise. "Did some whittle kitty come to play with this whittle square of Charmin, hmmm?"
I love my Tubby McGuire and would never intentionally do anything to hurt him, and because he rubs up against me and snuggles in my lap (once he's gotten over the disappointment of it being me), I'm assuming this lip trick doesn't cause him any pain. An exhaustive internet search provided no real explanation for his behavior. Bffer1 on Yahoo Answers posits it's the high frequency of my whistle, and that if I purchase electronic-sounding ringtones, I can achieve the same effect. Um, no thanks. Besides -- it isn't only the whistling that works. If I hum at a low frequency, or speak in an exaggerated French accent, or sing Beyonce's "Irreplaceable," there he is again, right on cue, with a look of "When will I learn this is not an emergency? Pet me now."
Sometimes I imagine that the day will come when I really do need him-- say I'm having an allergic reaction to Farmer's Market produce, or I'm losing a lot of blood because I cut myself on the Rotato -- and it will be at precisely that moment, when I put my lips together and blow, or manage a dying refrain of "to the left, to the left," that he'll ignore me. Something tells me I should just stop Life Alerting my cat for no good reason -- that is, until Dan and I are settling into bed, and neither one of us wants to go and get him from the hall carpet (nor do we want to be surprised by his tail in our faces at 3AM), and Dan turns to me and says, not exactly with seriousness, but not exactly joking around, either: "You could always whistle."
Another theory circulating online -- and again, I can't find a vet endorsed website -- asserts that cats respond to whistling because it triggers their nurturing instinct (they mistake you for a mewing kitten). Then why does Karaoke react to Beyonce? I guess she does solicit the affection of male cats.
So -- can anyone tell me for sure what's gotten into Karaoke? I don't want to whistle if it's harmful!
I bet that even PETA will allow you to whistle to your cat as much as you like. However, if blood comes out of Karaoke's ears, stop whistling immediately.
ReplyDeleteI have a [crackpot] theory ... whistling is what birds do too, right? Maybe cats are attracted to these sounds as indicating potential prey? OK, not a theory. An hypothesis?
Whatever. The video was very cute. Rebecca you a damn fine whistler, even if I can't name that tune. Almost sounded a little xmassy for a sec :o)
Can't help but notice W in the magazine rack. Sometimes I score free magazines that the college mailroom cannot forward over the summer. They get "recycled" in a rack just outside my office. Many copies of Sports Illustrated, but lots of other stuff too. When I brought W home for the second time my wife says, "I don't like that one. It's too big". Accurate, no?
Becca - my cat does the same thing. I think they can just hear a whistle better because higher frequency sounds carry further and are easier to pick up. Same with singing - your singing voice is typically higher than your speech voice (especially you, being a soprano). I doubt it hurts his ears, but it is enough to make him come see what's up.
ReplyDeleteBy the way - I love your blog. You are so talented and very witty. Please post more!