Focusing On Cat Behavior

Another major focus of research is cat behavior. Many people think of cat behavior merely as grooming, scratching, and sleeping. However, just because cats are not often seen performing tricks does not mean that cats do not easily learn.

Animal behaviorists say the intelligence or learning ability of cats is no greater or less than that of dogs. But comparing different species is difficult, because tests of their learning abilities must take into account differences in the animals' sensory and motor capabilities and in their inherited behavioral predispositions. For example, cats being tested for learning ability will not respond to the reward of petting as consistently as dogs will.