The pet food company recently announced the results of a first-of-its-kind "focus group" that reveal there's more to life than a cat nap for our feline friends! Friskies had 50 roving "repurrters" to go on the job to reveal the magical world of cats through examining their sensory experiences in their home environments.
In the cat "focus group," cats from across the United States wore tiny digital cat-cams that took pictures of their surroundings every 15 minutes. The resulting photographs uncovered where cats go, what they do, and specifically, what they experience when their owners aren't home.
Purina animal behavior scientist, Jill Villarreal, Ph.D., analyzed the photos to determine what they revealed about the playful days and sensory experiences of cats when they are home alone. "Many people under-estimate the richness and sensory stimulation the home environment provides for our cats," said. Dr. Villarreal. "The photos shed light on the home from the cat's point-of-view and, for the first time, we can better understand what gets our cats' attention and provides them with opportunities for play and adventure when we are away.
According to Dr. Villarreal, cats of all ages need play time to help maintain a healthy body weight and keep their minds active. Through their photos, they gave us a personal look at their social lives by stalking playmates and toys, climbing on structures and exploring their home.
Other key findings include:
- Several cats took pictures of computer and television screens. This is likely due to the cat's natural prey instinct to focus in on moving objects.
- The cats' photos revealed that screened-in porches are a rich oasis filled with sensory stimulation. This includes sights, sounds, textures, and smells with grassy patches and non-toxic plants that provide tactile (touch) and olfactory (smell) stimulation for the cats.
- The photos also showed that cats were greatly interested in water, be it in the sink, bathtub, or swimming pool. This may seem counter intuitive, as it is commonly believed that cats dislike water. However, these photos reveal that cats like water, but on their own terms.
