>it is therefore possible that male caregivers require more explicit vocalizations to notice and respond to the needs of their cats, which in turn reinforces cats' tendency to use more directed and frequent vocal behavior to attract their attention.

This is very funny. Ig Noble prize stuff. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ig_Nobel_Prize

N=31

> We acknowledge that our sample size limits the generalizability of our findings on cat greeting behaviors.

Anecdotally, my cats meow at me a lot. But they're my cats (others live in the house and help care for them). I also meow back more than anyone else. In fact, I might be the only one to do so. :)

Already, a solid 2026 Ig Nobel contender.