“Increasingly cat cognition research is providing evidence of their complex socio-cognitive and problem-solving abilities,” the study authors reported.
Scientists studied pets and shelter cats and observed what happened when felines were given a choice of different stimuli, including toys, food, social interaction and scent.
Both pets and shelter cats preferred interacting with humans first, followed by food, the study found.
“Nonetheless, it is still common belief that cats are not especially sociable or trainable” according to researchers.
The disconnect could be due to an ignorance about the stimuli cats prefer and what motivates them.
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