“If animals could speak, the dog would be a blundering outspoken fellow; but the cat would have the rare grace of never saying a word too much" - so said Mark Twain.
It's fair to say that our feline friends have a reputation for being a bit aloof.
They're graceful, yes; but also, rather more narcissistic and self-contained than their canine counterparts.
Dogs are known for their clumsy, unwavering affection whereas cats are altogether more discerning with their love.
Conventional wisdom would have it that they're only friendly when they want something.
But all this understanding has been thrown into question by a new study published in the journal Behavioural Processes.
Researchers from Oregon State University decided to test the sociability of domestic cats by presenting them with the choice of four different stimuli; human contact, food, toys and scent.
They were deprived of these factors for several hours, then allowed to make a choice between them.
Most of the 50 cats tested - whether pets or shelter residents - preferred human interaction most of all, even above food.
“Increasingly, cat cognition research is providing evidence of their complex socio-cognitive and problem solving abilities,” the scientists wrote.
"Nonetheless, it is still common belief that cats are not especially sociable or trainable. This disconnect may be due, in part, to a lack of knowledge of what stimuli cats prefer, and thus may be most motivated to work for."
So the next time your cat meaows at you with feeling, don't rush to judge.
It may not be a call for more grub, but merely a sign he or she fancies a stroke.
After all, to quote another great writer - Charles Dickens - "What greater gift than the love of a cat?"
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