THINK you understand your pet? Take this quiz to find out if you’re fluent in furry communication.
This insightful quiz will test your knowledge on your cat or dog’s body language and behaviours, to see how well you can interpret their needs and emotions.
Questions will also test how well you know various breeds, and general canine and feline knowledge.
It comes as a poll of 2,000 cat and dog owners found nearly half (43 per cent)think their pet understands them – and 27 per cent reckon they talk back.
The top ways animals communicate were found to include making noises (61 per cent), body posture (51 per cent) and tail position (49 per cent).
And they show they understand their owners by perking their ears up (57 per cent), responding to commands (55 per cent) and wagging their tail (51 per cent).
Despite this, the survey which was commissioned by pet DNA testing service Wisdom Panel found 55 per cent admitted they have struggled to understand what their dog or cat is trying to say, leaving them frustrated (23 per cent) and concerned (22 per cent).
More than half (56 per cent) believe if their pet paws at them they want attention, while 52 per cent are under the impression a lick is a sign of affection and 40 per cent said when they hide it means they’re scared.
While a confident 95 per cent believe they can understand their pet’s body language, 90 per cent claim they know what their verbal communication means.
Clinical animal behaviourist, dog trainer and author, Karen Wild has revealed what animals are trying to tell their owners with their facial express and body language.
She said: “Dogs and cats clearly show us how they are feeling, but we need to learn what these signals are.
“We often look at one small part such as their tail, but their face, ears, head and body movements are all very telling.
“When a dog rolls onto its back, it could be that they are overwhelmed, the best way to tell is to stop petting them – if they stand up, it’s likely they weren’t feeling relaxed at all.
“Giving them a chance to show you if they want more interaction is critical to understanding them.
“Cats use slightly different expressions, when their whiskers are relaxed they will point straight out, but when stressed they can spread apart, point forward, or may tightly bunch together and flatten against the cat’s face.”
The survey also found almost three quarters (72 per cent) speak out loud to their pet often and have an average of six conversations a day with them.
Popular topics for human and animal conversation are about the weather (40 per cent), what to have for tea (33 per cent) and owners discussing their day at work (26 per cent).
Almost half (46 per cent) agreed communication between them and their four-legged friend has strengthened their bond.
But 43 per cent believe there are certain things only them and their household can understand when it comes to their pet’s interactions.
Peak times to chat to their cat or dog were revealed as when feeding them (39 per cent), out on a walk (26 per cent) and upon arriving home after being out (31 per cent).
While 15 per cent have been so keen to find out more about their pet’s body language, they have visited an animal expert to decipher it, 26 per cent have looked for answers online.
Half often ‘think out loud’ to their animal and 36 per cent admitted there are some days they’d rather talk to them instead of another human.
Karen added: “The more we can read signals from our pets, the more they will learn to trust that we are listening and understanding them, resulting in a stronger bond.
“Even though they may not understand the words, talking to pets is enriching as they can hear our tone of voice and pitch.”
Of those polled via OnePoll, 48 per cent think their pet can pick up on the emotion of sadness, while 45 per cent believe they respond to their stress or anxiety.
Dr Cathryn Mellersh, principal investigator of the canine genetics centre at The University of Cambridge Veterinary School, working with Wisdom Panel, said: “Dogs were the first species to be domesticated and have evolved alongside humans.
“They read our body language, show empathy when we’re upset, and often prefer the company of a person over their own species — all testament to how intertwined we are.
“Different breeds exhibit quite different behaviours, just as DNA influences what they look like and the diseases that they might develop.
“Their genes also play a large role in their behaviours too.
“While 58 percent of pet owners aren’t aware of DNA testing, the insights can help you learn even more about the way your pet behaves, allowing you to make more informed decisions about their care and training.
“By understanding their breed mix, health, traits, behaviours and relatives on a deeper level, owners are able to boost the bond they have with their pet.”
