Genetics Might Have the Answer to Every Cat Owner’s Eternal Question: What’s My Pet Thinking?

Anyone who’s lived with a cat has likely been intrigued by the often-puzzling psychology of these animals. A new project aims to shed light on some of the mysteries surrounding cat behavior, hoping that people can better understand their pets’ psychology.

Cats needed! The Darwin’s Cats initiative seeks to gather data on several cats of various breeds and backgrounds. The first major step in this project is to create a comprehensive database.

The goal is to register 100,000 cats by June 2026, although the current count is under 10,000. The team is collecting information on feline behavior through a questionnaire and gathering genetic data on each cat. To provide this genetic information, participants will need to submit a hair sample from their pet along with the completed questionnaire.

By combining these data sets, the team aims to create the largest database of its kind. This database will facilitate research into cat behavior and health. Anyone interested in registering their cat will need to make a donation of $150 to support the project.

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Darwin’s Ark. Darwin’s Cat isn’t the first project of its kind. The same team at Darwin’s Ark previously conducted similar research with dogs. The project is led by a team of researchers affiliated with the University of Massachusetts and the Broad Institute.

Exploring feline psychology. The psychology of cats has intrigued many throughout history. This is possibly due to the contrast between their behavior and that of dogs or simply because feline behavior can seem unusual to humans. Some experts have even applied tests intended to detect psychopathic tendencies in these animals.

In recent years, research in this field has focused on the genetics of cats to confirm the idea that personality traits may be hereditary. This is a fairly common belief. However, it’s still being explored.

A matter of health. A better understanding of the genetics of cats extends beyond behavioral patterns. It can also aid in identifying genetic components of diseases that affect felines, ultimately improving veterinary care. Moreover, research may help experts prevent or treat some of the diseases and disorders that cats suffer.

Image | Erik-Jan Leusink

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