BBC: Cats 'exploit' humans by purring

[Akoto]

Researchers at the University of Sussex have discovered that cats use a "soliciting purr" to overpower their owners and garner attention and food.

Unlike regular purring, this sound incorporates a "cry", with a similar frequency to a human baby's.

The team said cats have "tapped into" a human bias - producing a sound that humans find very difficult to ignore.

Dr Karen McComb, the lead author of the study that was published in the journal Current Biology, said the research was inspired by her own cat, Pepo.

LINK: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8147566.stm

Please do not unrecommend me for my blatant pro-dog bias. :P