Ear Tufts!

[angieh]

I have noticed that a lot of feral type cats have little tufts of hair at the tops of their ears which I find quite attractive (I'm strange like that! ). Can anyone tell me whether it is a trait of feral types or whether it can be found elsewhere?

[pinklizzy]

I've noticed it with the feral and semi-feral farm cats that we have in to neuter (we do lots under the CPL schemes) I don't think I've seen it all that much with the 2nd/3rd generation of 'domestic'cats.

[Elaine]

You might find this interesting Angie. Scroll down to where it says ears.
http://www.messybeast.com/cat_talk2.htm

[dandysmom]

Great link, Elaine" I love "Messy Beast" have it in my bookmarks!

[EmmaG]

That is an interesting article Elaine, especially this bit

Slowly blinking breaks up an aggressive stare and is a reassuring signal between cats and between owners and cats. Yawning is even more reassuring!

When I do the blinky eyes at my cats, both of them yawn and respond very well if I yawn back at them.

[Elaine]

I blink slowly at Eva all the time and gives me this look of "oh get lost" back

[angieh]

What an interesting website Elaine. I've bookmarked it for later study. Interesting about the ears!

Oh and Emma - yes, I once unwittingly blinked slowly at a colleague at work, being a "cat person" she said I had given her a cat kiss! I didn't know about the yawns, will go and practice with Merlin. He always blinks back if I blink at him! I wonder if that has anything to do with the reason that yawning is SO contagious - it's an anti-aggression mechanism! I always learn SO MUCH ON CATSEY!

[EmmaG]

Originally Posted by Elaine

I blink slowly at Eva all the time and gives me this look of "oh get lost" back

lol try blinking slowly AND yawning!!! that will confuse the little madam

[angieh]

Actually it was seeing those photos of Topsey that made me think about ear tufts - he or she has them!

[EmmaG]

Angie, yet us know how you get on, if I slow blink at Bronwyn she is always yawning back at me