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It’s a rare moment when you can be both moved and enlightened by the scientific understanding of a cat's unique behavior. But today, you're in luck, as this is one of those moments! Not only will this article tug at your heartstrings, but it also delves into the fascinating world of our beloved feline companions (until the domestication of cheetahs, that is), whether they are furry or hairless.
10. Cat Allergies? Meet the 'CRISPR Kitties'
A biotech firm in Virginia, InBio, known for its work in asthma and allergy treatments, is investigating the use of CRISPR to make cats—one of the world's most adored pets—less likely to trigger allergic reactions. These 'CRISPR kitties' could be a lifesaver for many who suffer from cat allergies.
Cat allergies affect up to 15% of the population, making the domestic cat the primary source of mammalian allergens. The culprit is a protein called Fel d 1, responsible for allergic reactions in 95% of those allergic to cats. Found in cat saliva and skin oils, avoiding this protein is no easy task.
Fortunately, researchers found that this protein appears to have no significant function, and cats can easily thrive without it. What it actually does remains a mystery. However, what is clear is that gene editing to suppress this protein could prove far more effective than allergy medications and other treatments.
9. Cat Contraception
Ensuring cats lead long, happy lives also involves managing the stray cat population in a humane way. However, this requires surgical procedures, which can be time-consuming and resource-intensive. Recently, scientists have experimented with a non-surgical ‘gene shot’ on six female cats, yielding encouraging results.
The small scale of the study was by design, enabling a rigorous scientific review of each cat and the specifics of the new non-surgical birth control technique. As a result, the team was able to analyze '15,220 freeze-dried poop samples for estrogen and progesterone levels and review 1,200 hours of mating behavior footage,' as noted by William Swanson, the animal research director at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden.
The shot works by injecting a gene into the muscle cells, which then triggers the production of the contraceptive anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH). AMH interferes with the development of egg follicles in the ovaries, effectively preventing pregnancy. This gene therapy has successfully prevented pregnancies in cats for at least two years. While more research is needed to assess its full safety and effectiveness, it marks an exciting step forward in improving the welfare of cats worldwide.
8. Cats and Squares
Cats have extraordinary sensory capabilities, with their eyes being six times more adept at seeing in low-light conditions than ours. This means while you might accidentally bump into your cat in the dark, your cat will never unintentionally bump into you. Well, at least not by accident.
Cats' remarkable vision and brain structure are the reasons they enjoy sitting in two-dimensional shapes like squares, even if those shapes are incomplete (such as four cut-out pieces arranged to form a square).
The Kanizsa square illusion plays on our brain's inclination to complete shapes and perceive boundaries that aren't really there. This same process occurs in a cat’s mind, making them likely to love an incomplete square almost as much as a cozy, full box.
7. Leg 'Whiskers'
Cats don't just have whiskers on the usual whisker spots on their bodies. They also sport whiskers on other parts, including the backs of their legs. These are known as carpal vibrissae, with 'carpus' meaning wrist and 'vibrissae' being the Latin term for whiskers or, more accurately, nose hairs.
Much like the whiskers around their faces, these carpal vibrissae aren’t just for making you smile; they serve as sensory organs that help cats assess their surroundings. They can detect subtle changes like shifts in air pressure, assisting cats in navigating their environment and honing their impressive agility. By using these 'wrist whiskers,' cats can feel objects and surfaces, which improves their spatial awareness, environmental orientation, and hunting prowess.
6. Grayish Tabby—the First Cat
If you own a grayish-dark tabby cat, congratulations—you’re living with the first type of cat! Our modern domesticated cats, scientifically known as Felis catus, have their origins in the African wildcat, Felis silvestris lybica, which resembled a tabby. The pattern of their fur plays such a significant role that it helps researchers determine how wild—or domesticated—a feline is.
Some fur patterns, like the blotchy ones, appeared much later during the domestication of cats. If you have a blotchy cat, thank the medieval era! But don’t thank it too much, as general attitudes toward cats during that time weren’t exactly favorable.
5. Will Work for Food… Not!
Cats prefer their meals to be served effortlessly, which is a clever approach, though not particularly surprising. What is surprising is that many other animals feel the exact opposite. UC Davis researchers even conducted a study focused on how cats react to the idea of working for their dinner.
This behavior is known as contrafreeloading, where some animals actually prefer to work for their food. According to Mikel Delgado, a cat behaviorist and veterinary researcher at UC Davis: 'There is an entire body of research that shows that most species including birds, rodents, wolves, primates—even giraffes—prefer to work for their food.'
In the experiment, 17 cats were presented with two food choices: easy food on a tray or a puzzle containing food. Most of the cats chose the easy option. This may have been because the puzzle didn't align with typical cat behaviors, like ambushing prey. However, cats do still enjoy puzzles, which is important because...
4. Cat Puzzles Free the Hunter
UC Davis researchers previously conducted a study on cat puzzles to determine how they benefit felines. The results showed that about one-third of cat owners provided their cats with puzzles, although it would be ideal for that number to be higher.
Puzzles help cats by tapping into their natural foraging instincts. Cats, once hunters in the wild, had to engage in predatory behavior before humans came along and took over their role. By offering puzzles, we allow cats to experience mental stimulation that mirrors their wild hunting days, bringing a sense of accomplishment. Furthermore, previous studies have found that puzzles can help with weight loss, anxiety, and even reduce urination outside the litter box.
Sadly, many cat owners try puzzles but often give up. However, the study suggests that persistence is key—start with simple puzzles and gradually increase the challenge.
3. Finland Created a New Cat
A new type of cat has recently been introduced to the world of science, discovered in May 2024. This rare Finnish domestic cat boasts a unique coat pattern called 'salmiak,' which gives off a cookies-and-cream aesthetic. People in Finland first began observing the pattern around 2007, noting that instead of the typical tuxedo look, these black-and-white cats feature a gradual color shift, resembling a sprinkle of salt and pepper. This ombré effect occurs as the fur lightens from root to tip, transitioning from black to white.
To make it official, scientists identified the genetic cause in the journal Animal Genetics as 'a 95-kb deletion downstream of the KIT gene.' Naturally, that explanation clears everything up! In simpler terms, a missing DNA segment results in the 'salmiak' coat type, named after Finland's beloved salty licorice, which they have a fondness for (along with cats).
2. Colors, Patterns, and Fur Length Reveal History, Temperament, and Health
Long after the fertility boom in the Fertile Crescent, cats experienced another transformation with human influence during the Classical Period in Egypt, around 3,500–4,000 years ago. There is also evidence of attempts to create a leopard cat in China, though no such creatures (or their descendants) remain.
These findings also illustrate how cats spread across the globe. Ancient cat DNA found in port cities shows that sailors likely brought their feline companions aboard ships to help combat the rats that threatened food supplies. Interestingly, studying cat colors and patterns has linked these traits to behaviors (like aggression), geographic origins, and susceptibility to certain diseases.
However, the ancient Egyptians didn't exactly treat their cats with the reverence we like to imagine. In fact, they performed cruel rituals (including establishing 'cat mills') to placate the gods for their own benefit. But that's a much darker chapter in history, and for now, let's focus on the happy side of our feline friends.
1. What Cat Genetics Reveal About Our Relationship with Them
Humans have had a long history with cats, even longer than we once thought, according to a study by the University of Missouri. While some previously believed our bond with felines truly began around 4,000 years ago in ancient Egypt, genetic research suggests that domestication could have started as early as 10,000 years ago, around the time of the agricultural revolution. As people began storing grains, rodent populations thrived, making our grain storage attractive to cats looking for a meal.
At the same time, the cat stepped in to take advantage of the rodents that thrived alongside us. Unlike large domesticated animals like cattle and horses, which were domesticated through multiple events, cats experienced a single, transformative domestication event, says Leslie A. Lyons, a renowned feline geneticist at the University of Missouri. Our cats, still only semi-domesticated, emerged in the Fertile Crescent millennia ago and spread across the world with us.
Genetic research on felines has also led to the creation of valuable databases that have played a key role in reducing some common feline health issues, such as polycystic kidney disease.
