Why Cats’ Eyes Glow in the Dark
Cats and many other animals, including most dogs, can reflect light from their eyes. As a result, cats’ eyes usually shine brilliantly in photos taken…
Cats
Here CRISPR Kitty? Progress in Developing a Hypoallergenic Cat
Researchers at InBio (formerly Indoor Biotechnologies), a biotech company in Virginia, report progress en route to developing a hypoallergenic cat – or at least treating…
New Sabre-Tooth Predator Discovered That Precedes Cats by Millions of Years
Paleontologists describe sabre-toothed mammal new to science, offering view into evolution of meat-eaters. The fossil, housed in The Nat’s paleontology collection, offers a window into…
COVID in a Pet Cat: Delta Variant Nearly Identical to Viral Sequences Found in People
Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania performed whole-genome sequencing of a house cat infected with coronavirus last year. The sequence, the delta variant of SARS-CoV-2,…
Domestic Cats Drive Spread of Potentially Deadly Toxoplasma Parasite to Wildlife
New UBC research suggests free-roaming cats are likely to blame in the spread of the potentially deadly Toxoplasma gondii parasite to wildlife in densely populated…
COVID Alpha Variant Detected in Dogs and Cats – Pets Had Acute Onset of Cardiac Disease, Including Severe Myocarditis
A new study in the Veterinary Record reveals that pets can be infected with the alpha variant of SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19 in humans),…
Most Animals Like To Work for Their Food, but Cats Prefer Free Meals
Study finds ‘contrafreeloading’ rare in domestic cats. When given the choice between a free meal and performing a task for a meal, cats would prefer…
Man’s New Best Friend: What Cats Can Teach Us About the Human Genome and Our Genetic “Dark Matter”
Although cats have lived alongside humans for millennia, it remains a dogs’ world. This bias has historically bled into science as well. It’s time for…
Cats and Dogs May Catch COVID-19 From Their Owners – High Risk for Cats That Sleep on Their Owner’s Bed
New research presented at the European Congress of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases (ECCMID), held online this year, suggests that people with COVID-19 frequently pass…
The Mysterious Chinese Mountain Cat Was Likely Not Involved in Feline Domestication
Genomic evidence for the Chinese mountain cat as a wildcat conspecific (Felis silvestris bieti) and its introgression to domestic cats. Analyses of genomic data suggest…
Warning: Research Shows Pet Dogs and Cats May Easily Catch COVID-19 From Their Owners
COVID-19 is common in pet cats and dogs whose owners have the virus, according to new research being presented at the European Congress of Clinical…
New Research Analyzes the Types of Relationships Between Cats and Their Owners – Take the Quiz Yourself!
Cat Fight or Feline the Love? Co-dependent and clingy or casual and aloof – a new study has examined the behavior of pet cats to…
Evolutionary Unique: The Natural History and Conservation Importance of Elusive Chinese Mountain Cat
Study highlights the evolutionary uniqueness and premier conservation importance of the elusive Chinese mountain cat. We know that the domestic cat has distant relatives that…
New Evidence Uncovered of Human-to-Cat Transmission of COVID-19 Coronavirus
New research provides evidence that people have transmitted SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, to cats during the pandemic in the UK. The study, which…
COVID-19 Has Infected Pet Cats and Dogs – What About Wildlife?
Over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, researchers have found coronavirus infections in pet cats and dogs and in multiple zoo animals, including big cats…
Intoxicating Chemicals in Catnip Don’t Just Give Cats Joy – They Help Repel Mosquitoes
Catnip and silver vine have been known as cat attractant plants. Cat lovers use dry leaves of these plants and toys stuffed with the leaves…
Pets, Touch and COVID-19: Why Our Cats, Dogs and Other Furry Friends Are Lifesavers
Lockdowns, job losses, and social isolation have been the hallmarks of 2020 as COVID-19 tightens its grip on the world, not only infecting millions and…
Are Cats Spreading COVID-19? Study Finds Domestic Cats Can Be Asymptomatic Carriers of SARS-CoV-2
Two recently published studies from Kansas State University researchers and collaborators have led to two important findings related to the COVID-19 pandemic: Domestic cats can…
