Kristyn Shreve, a graduate research fellow at Oregon State University’s Human-Animal Interaction Lab (HAI Lab), is conducting a study to explore the social dynamics between cats and their owners. Despite the popularity of pet cats in the U.S.—outnumbering dogs by almost 10 million—over 3.4 million cats are surrendered to shelters each year, with 27% attributed to behavioral issues or cat-owner incompatibility.
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Shreve notes that while training classes for dogs are widely available, similar options for cats are scarce. Many people mistakenly believe that training is unnecessary or impractical for cats. The study aims to enhance the human-cat relationship and is offering free kitten-training classes to support this initiative.
The research begins with a series of tests to evaluate the bond between cats and humans. It includes a house call where a kitten interacts with a stranger to assess how much time it prefers to spend near the person. This is followed by a similar test with the kitten's owner. Shreve emphasizes that this research has not been previously conducted, aiming to fill a significant gap in our understanding of feline behavior.
Additional tests in the lab will measure the kittens' attachment styles and cognitive abilities. One test examines the reactions of kittens when separated from their owners, while another assesses whether kittens can recognize human emotions and adjust their behavior accordingly. For instance, they will observe the kittens’ responses to a fan, based on their owner's emotional cues.
Initial results indicate that kittens can effectively be socialized through training, breaking the stereotype of cats being unsuited for training and connection with humans. Shreve highlights that this research contradicts long-held beliefs about feline behavior, and she encourages interested owners to participate in the upcoming training sessions and studies starting in July. For details, contact Kristyn Shreve at [email protected].