A decade-old study has revealed that, when it comes to facial hair, our feline friends are largely unmoved. The research, titled "Feline Reactions to Bearded Men," involved exposing 214 cats to photographs of men sporting various beards and styles.
The study's methodology was meticulous: each cat was shown one photograph at a time for 20 seconds while being held by laboratory assistants who were deliberately anaesthetised to prevent any unconscious cues or physical contact influencing the animals' reactions.
Researchers monitored physiological indicators such as pulse rate, respiration, and eye dilation, as well as behavioural signs like fur shedding. The research spanned eight months, showcasing the meticulous preparation required for this investigation.
The study initially focused on photographs of American lawyer Robert Bork, but was re-routed after intervention from animal rights activists led to a change in focus to images of bearded men with non-underbeards.
Despite extensive controls and thorough research, the findings were strikingly clear: cats showed an overall indifference to the photographs of bearded men, suggesting that facial hair holds little visual significance for our feline companions.