A recent study conducted by researchers from the Wildlife Research Center at Kyoto University has investigated the genetic factors influencing cat behavior, specifically focusing on purring. The team examined variations in the androgen receptor gene (AR), located on the X chromosome, and its relationship to behaviors such as purring in domestic cats (Felis catus).
Read More
The findings revealed that male cats possessing short-type alleles of the AR gene exhibited higher scores in directed calls and vocalizations. In contrast, females with short-type alleles displayed greater levels of aggression directed towards strangers compared to their counterparts with long-type alleles. First author Yume Okamoto noted the importance of studying cat behavior due to their significant role as companion animals in human society.
Domestic cats, unlike many wild felids such as their ancestor, the African wildcat (Felis lybica), can adapt to social living and use various communication methods including vocalizations. According to Okamoto, purring serves multiple functions; initially, it may signal good health to a mother cat and later facilitates communication among adult cats.
The research involved behavioral assessments of 280 spayed or neutered mixed-breed cats, all kept in family homes. Following an appeal for participants, the researchers received responses from 265 cat owners within a day, highlighting public interest in feline research.
The results indicated a genetic basis for purring and vocal communication, with cats carrying the short-type AR gene scoring higher on purring assessments. Additionally, these males were more vocal towards humans. However, short-type gene females showed increased aggression towards strangers, suggesting a potential shift in the importance of vocal communication among domesticated cats raised in human environments, possibly affecting their behavior as compared to pure-breed cats, which tend to carry more long-type alleles.
By comparing the genetic information of domestic cats to that of 11 other felid species, researchers found that the leopard cat and fishing cat, both closely related to domestic cats, exclusively had short-type alleles, while longer types found in domestic cats are absent in other species. This implies that these genetic variations might have arisen due to the processes of domestication and selective breeding.
The authors suggested that understanding these genetic factors could improve predictions of behavioral tendencies and enhance animal welfare. Moving forward, the research team plans to explore other felid species to further comprehend the relationship between genetics and behavior in cats. The study was published online on May 28 in the journal PLoS ONE.
Y. Okamoto et al. 2025. Association between androgen receptor gene and behavioral traits in cats (Felis catus). PLoS One 20 (5): e0324055; doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0324055. The article was adapted from an original release by Kyoto University.