Photographer scans his brain to learn why cats are so irresistible — and discovers they’ve ‘hijacked’ our brains

Flach’s new book, Feline, captures this powerful connection through a mix of art and science

PUBLISHED NOV 11, 2025

(L) A doctor checking a brain scan. (R) A man cuddles his cat. (Representative Cover Image Source: Getty Images | (L) Andrew Brookes, (R) Magui rfajardo)

There’s something about cats that humans find almost impossible to resist. From their curious eyes to their tiny paws, they seem to charm their way into nearly every home and heart. A renowned animal photographer, Tim Flach, set out to uncover the science behind this irresistible appeal. His latest project didn’t just stop at capturing their beauty; it also involved scanning his own brain to see what happens when we look at our feline friends. The results offered a fascinating glimpse into how deeply cats connect with human emotions.

A doctor examining a brain scan. Representative Image Source: Getty Images | Tom Werner — A doctor examining a brain scan. (Representative Image Source: Getty Images | Tom Werner)

As reported by New Scientist on October 29, 2025, Flach discovered that when we see kittens or cats with baby-like features, specific regions of the brain linked to emotion and pleasure light up almost instantly. Traits such as big eyes, round faces, and large heads activate the orbitofrontal cortex, the area that processes positive emotion and reward.

According to researchers at the University of Oxford, cuteness plays a powerful role in shaping how we behave. Their studies show that when we see cute babies or animals, our brains react immediately, triggering feelings of care and warmth. This reaction also connects to parts of the brain involved in empathy, play, and even moral emotions, helping us nurture and protect others. In Flach’s case, the scan showed that this part of his brain lit up within 130 milliseconds of seeing his cat Loki, much faster than conscious thought.

A man and his cat | (Image Source: Pexels | Preillumination SeTh) — A man and his cat. (Representative Image Source: Pexels | Preillumination SeTh)

Cats, he observed, seem to have naturally learned how to "hijack" this reaction that was originally designed for our own babies. “In a way, at some fundamental level, you can see how cuteness is unfolding,” he said. This response is rooted in natural evolution. Humans developed strong emotional reactions to infant-like features to ensure the survival of their young. Our instinct to protect is so deeply wired that it extends beyond our species.

Professor Morten Kringelbach shared with Science Focus, “Animals like dogs and cats have been essentially bred to look like babies. They have big [sic] eyes, they have big [sic] ears. When you see them, your brain is thinking, ‘this could be a baby.’ And it’s only later on, by the time you already have reacted, you say, ‘Oh, that's not a baby. But maybe I should still look anyway!'"

Man and Woman Petting a Cat by the Window. (Representative Image Source: Pexels |Vlada Karpovich) — Man and Woman Petting a Cat by the Window. (Representative Image Source: Pexels | Vlada Karpovich)

Flach’s new book, Feline, captures this powerful connection through a mix of art and science. It features stunning portraits of cats alongside reflections on how our lives and emotions have become intertwined with theirs. The photographer’s playful approach turns everyday pets into subjects of both beauty and study. His experiment and photographs show how a simple look from a cat can spark joy, comfort, and even a sense of belonging. In the end, Flach’s work reminds us that cats may have found the perfect way to live rent-free in our hearts and, as science now proves, in our brains too.