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Researchers from Sussex investigated whether cats demonstrated so-called level 6 object permanence – the understanding that objects continue to exist even when they are moved out of sight in a way that is not directly observed.

 This cognitive ability is seen in dogs, some apes, and human infants.  It was expected that, due to their hunting behaviours as well as reputation for curiosity, cats would also show this ability. However, as with most studies into cat behaviour, researchers have learnt to expect the unexpected.

 In an experiment inspired by sleight-of-hand, a toy was hidden and then revealed in either its original location or an unexpected one. Surprisingly, the cats were more interested when the toy showed up where they expected it to be.

 The study involved showing cats a toy, then visibly placing it in one of two boxes. The boxes were then obscured, moved and either swapped or returned to their original place. The toy was revealed in either the expected location (“expected event”) or an unexpected one (“violation event”), and researchers measured how long the cats looked at the toy.

 The study found that cats were more likely to play with the toy if it reappeared in the original location. They also looked for longer at the toy when expected events took place before violation events.

  Jemma Forman, Doctoral Researcher at the University of Sussex said:

"Cats contrarily have a reputation for being highly curious animals yet are seemingly unmotivated in research studies. Despite this, cats were able to discriminate between expected and unexpected events, but in the opposite direction of what our existing knowledge in infants and dogs would otherwise suggest. These findings support the movement towards cat-friendly methods of research to better understand what our feline friends are thinking".

 Co-author Jordan S. Rowe commented:

“Cats can exhibit avoidant or hesitant behaviour around unfamiliar humans, which can affect their engagement in cognitive tasks. Here, we found that cats were more likely to play with the toy, but less likely to interact with the boxes, when events were presented by a stranger rather than their owner. These findings suggest that cats still show a general interest in cognitive tasks, but display complex behaviours in the presence of an unfamiliar person."

 Surprisingly, nearly half the cats made no attempt to search for the toy when it was simply hidden in one of the boxes, raising questions about their motivation rather than their cognitive ability. The study also revealed that factors like sex, breed, and household setup influenced behaviour. Female, indoor-only, and mixed-breed cats were more likely to show interest in the toy, as were those from multi-cat homes. Cats were also more cautious around unfamiliar researchers, despite showing curiosity towards the toy itself.

 The full study can be read here.

This work supports the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals: SDG 15 research on life on land and our education on, and support for, land ecosystems. 

You can read more about our work on the SDGs here.

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