Visual discrimination of size and perception of the Delboeuf illusion in the domestic cat (Felis silvestris catus): A developmental disjunction?

Carnivores use various scent-marking methods. Semi-feral domestic cats (Felis silvestris catus) were observed to use the same means as their wild counterparts. Adult males performed most urine spray marking. Cats scratched tree bark, producing a visual mark, and probably used trees both as markers and for claw sharpening. Most scratching trees were located along frequently used paths rather than along territorial boundaries or scattered randomly throughout a home range. Bark consistency affected the tree species that were scratched, with soft bark preferred. Although deposition of faeces and urine was recorded, there was no clear evidence for their use as territorial markers; cats primarily eliminated away from the core area of the home range. Most faeces were buried, although exposed deposits were also observed. Cats also rubbed against objects, probably using glandular secretions from the face and tail areas to scent mark. Males rubbed objects more than females, and males scent marked more. Individual males may use different means of scent marking. Scent marking in this study supports the idea that cats do not defend territories, instead patrolling and reinforcing marks throughout a looser home range. The suggestion has been made that different forms of marking may serve separate signalling functions.

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Cats and seabirds: effects of feral Domestic Cat Felis silvestris catus eradication on the population of Sooty Terns Onychoprion fuscata on Ascension Island, South Atlantic

Ibis ◽

10.1111/j.1474-919x.2008.00838.x ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 150 ◽

pp. 122-131 ◽

Cited By ~ 34

Author(s):

B. JOHN HUGHES ◽

GRAHAM R. MARTIN ◽

S. JAMES REYNOLDS

Keyword(s):

South Atlantic ◽

Domestic Cat ◽

Felis Silvestris ◽

Felis Silvestris Catus ◽

Ascension Island

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Laterality as a Tool for Assessing Breed Differences in Emotional Reactivity in the Domestic Cat, Felis silvestris catus

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani9090647 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (9) ◽

pp. 647 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Wells ◽

McDowell

Keyword(s):

Emotional Reactivity ◽

Domestic Cat ◽

Preference Measurement ◽

Felis Silvestris ◽

Felis Silvestris Catus ◽

Indirect Benefits ◽

Paw Preference ◽

Breed Differences ◽

Pet Owner ◽

Lateral Bias

Cat breeds differ enormously in their behavioural disposition, a factor that can impact on the pet-owner relationship, with indirect consequences for animal welfare. This study examined whether lateral bias, in the form of paw preference, can be used as a tool for assessing breed differences in emotional reactivity in the cat. The paw preferences of 4 commonly owned breeds were tested using a food-reaching challenge. Cats were more likely to be paw-preferent than ambilateral. Maine Coons, Ragdolls and Bengals were more likely to be paw-preferent than ambilateral, although only the Bengals showed a consistent preference for using one paw (left) over the other. The strength of the cats’ paw use was related to cat breed, with Persians being more weakly lateralised. Direction of paw use was unrelated to feline breed, but strongly sex-related, with male cats showing a left paw preference and females displaying a right-sided bias. We propose that paw preference measurement could provide a useful method for assessing emotional reactivity in domestic cats. Such information would be of benefit to individuals considering the acquisition of a new cat, and, in the longer term, may help to foster more successful cat-owner relationships, leading to indirect benefits to feline welfare.

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Sperm ultrastructure and abnormal morphology in domestic cat (Felis silvestris catus)

Cryobiology ◽

10.1016/j.cryobiol.2018.10.191 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 85 ◽

pp. 169

Author(s):

María Candela Bonaura ◽

Susana Jurado ◽

Sara Inés Williams

Keyword(s):

Domestic Cat ◽

Felis Silvestris ◽

Sperm Ultrastructure ◽

Felis Silvestris Catus ◽

Abnormal Morphology

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Lateralized behaviour in the domestic cat, Felis silvestris catus

Animal Behaviour ◽

10.1016/j.anbehav.2009.06.010 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 78 (2) ◽

pp. 537-541 ◽

Cited By ~ 42

Author(s):

Deborah L. Wells ◽

Sarah Millsopp

Keyword(s):

Domestic Cat ◽

Felis Silvestris ◽

Felis Silvestris Catus

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Extent of Linkage Disequilibrium in the Domestic Cat, Felis silvestris catus, and Its Breeds

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0053537 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 8 (1) ◽

pp. e53537 ◽

Cited By ~ 40

Author(s):

Hasan Alhaddad ◽

Razib Khan ◽

Robert A. Grahn ◽

Barbara Gandolfi ◽

James C. Mullikin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Linkage Disequilibrium ◽

Domestic Cat ◽

Felis Silvestris ◽

Felis Silvestris Catus

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