Recent Trends and Future Prospects in Cognitive Research in Cats

Abstract

In recent years, cats have become the most common companion animal in Japan. However, social cognitive research on cats has lagged behind that of dogs. This lag is because of factors unique to cats. Their aversion to novel humans and places makes laboratory experiments difficult and their motivation for food is weaker than that of dogs. Many social cognitive studies that used various measures such as conducting experiments in places familiar to cats have recently been published. In this paper, after reviewing the history of feline domestication, I will review cognitive studies on cats that have been published in recent years, the differences in communication between cat–cat interactions and cat–human interactions, and studies on human–cat attachment. Finally, I will discuss future prospects.