ladbible logo

To make sure you never miss out on your favourite NEW stories, we're happy to send you some reminders

Click 'OK' then 'Allow' to enable notifications

It Turns Out That People Who Chat To Their Pets Are Actually More Intelligent

It Turns Out That People Who Chat To Their Pets Are Actually More Intelligent

Best news ever.

Anonymous

Anonymous

We can't be the only ones who regularly have a conversation with our pets, surely? Whether it's asking 'Did you miss me?' when you get home from work, or checking with them 'Did you enjoy your dinner?' sometimes they can be the best listeners.

But it turns out there's a reason behind our love for talking to our fluffy companions, and having a good chat with your dog or cat isn't anything to worry about. Well, maybe there is if you're expecting a response.

Just like we would talk to our toys when we were younger, it's natural to talk to our pets. It shows our need for companionship and desire to build our own character.

This habit, called anthropomorphizing (what a mouthful!), means to give non-human objects a personality. And many of us grow out of as society perceives it as immature. However, it's natural to develop close relationships with pets and scientists believe that it is a sign of intelligence.

Behavioural Science Professor Nicholas Epsey of the University of Chicago, explains to Quartz that: "We often name objects like cars, instruments, boats, and cameras - all items that we develop special relationships with and consider extensions of our own identities.

"But it goes beyond naming: We think our cat is acting "sassy"; that the stock market is "angry" or "working to recover;" and we ask our car "why it won't turn on" and call it a "rickety old man" when it starts to stall.

"This is just the byproduct of having an active, intelligent social cognition - of having a brain that is programmed to see and perceive minds."

This means, that if you find yourself talking to your cat or dog, you have a really active imagination and, because you spend a lot of time with them, they become your most important companion.So next time you start chatting to your dog about your day, you know it's a sign of your intelligence.

Words by Eve MacDonald

Featured Image Credit: Pexels

Topics: Pets, Dogs