If you own a cat, scientists want to hear from you

If you own a cat, scientists want to hear from you

If you own a cat, scientists want to hear from you

Photo for the title of the article If you own a cat, scientists want to hear from you

Fig: Shutterstock ((Shutterstock)

Scientists in California are calling America Volunteers who live with cats Subscribe to new Research project. of the The study will survey owners for their knowledge of animal behavior and training methods. The team’s main goal is to help cats – especially cats – and humans build healthy relationships with each other.

Work The Animal Welfare Epidemiology Laboratory at Davis University in California is being conducted by scientists. Last fall, Tim Assigned Volunteers with exactly two cats To watch cat videos on the internet, as part of a project to study how owners can read feline body language. They were especially interested to know if the owners could tell when There were cats To beat up on their lovely roommates.

The project is still ongoing, but the lab is now working on new research. right nowThey want the socialization of cats seen through the lens of their owners, as well as how much Importance Owners’ place On Different aspects of cat socialization.

“Socialization here refers to the introduction of animals to new people, places and things. This includes everything from cats socializing programs (often referred to as” Kate’s Kindergarten “) to adult cats traveling with their owners. Does, ”project researcher Jennifer Link, a PhD student in the lab, told Gizmodo.

Link notes that newly adopted dogs and their owners regularly participate in dedicated socialization programs. But the same cannot be said for the families of cat owners. Some of the reasons for this discrepancy may include that cat owners are not interested in these programs. That they can’t access them; Or that they simply don’t know them Available in the first place. Another key focus of the project will be to find out why so few families go to kindergarten.

“Once we’ve gathered all the answers, we can share our findings with shelter, cat behavioral experts and the public.” We hope that socializing cats and cats will make it accessible to all who want to reach it, “she said.

Cheddar

Cheddar “thing” Cara, the world’s worst possible laboratory subject.
Fig: Ed Cara

Perhaps surprisingly, studying cats and interacting with people is not as easy as being with a dog. For example, cats can be very anxious when they are out of their normal environment, meaning that their behavior in the lab may vary considerably from how they normally behave.. So survey and People Science Projects Which can be done at home to fill this gap in research. And this research in particular may help scientists like Link find the best ways to improve cat-human relationships from an early age.

In short: a wellThe socialized cat turns into a wellModified adult, and we want to do everything we can to make sure we get betterSocialized cat. We hope that our study will be a good first step in this process, ”Link said.

The team is looking to get a total of around 2,500 survey responses, considering it has something to show people over the next 12 to 18 months. Eligible volunteers (current cat owners in the United States) can sign over hereAnd the survey should take no more than 10 to 15 minutes to complete.

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