Longitudinal Study on the Effect of Season and Weather on the Behaviour of Domestic Cats (Felis catus)

TL;DR

This study shows how domestic cats' behaviors change with seasons and weather, which can help improve their care.

Contribution

The study provides new insights into how specific cat behaviors are influenced by seasonal and weather conditions.

Findings

Seasonal differences were found in eating, grooming, littering, lying, scratching, and sitting behaviors.

Higher temperature humidity wind index and longer daylength increased time spent eating, lying, and standing.

More rain reduced time spent grooming and scratching.

Abstract

This study explored how seasonal and weather variations influence domestic cat behaviours. Using accelerometer data and a validated machine learning model, eight behaviours—active, eating, grooming, littering, lying, scratching, sitting, and standing—were tracked in seven research cats over 13 weeks throughout the year, alongside concurrent weather data collection. Generalised linear mixed models revealed seasonal differences for eating, grooming, littering, lying, scratching, and sitting but not for active behaviours or standing. A higher temperature humidity wind index and longer daylength increased time spent eating, lying, and standing while reducing time spent active, grooming, littering, and sitting. More rain led to less time grooming and scratching. These findings highlight seasonality in cat behaviours, influenced by weather conditions, and can aid in providing guidance to cat facility managers as to when additional resources could be beneficial, such as brushing cats in times when grooming and scratching are increased.

To date, little is known about seasonal changes in specific cat behaviours, and how these are affected by weather patterns. Using accelerometer data and a validated machine learning model, behaviours including being active, eating, grooming, littering, lying, scratching, sitting, and standing were quantified for seven research cats for a total of 13 weeks spread over one year, with weather data being collected simultaneously. Generalised linear mixed models were used to statistically test for seasonal differences in proportional behavioural data and how behaviour was affected by weather variables. Seasonal differences were found for time spent eating (p < 0.001), grooming (p < 0.001), littering (p = 0.037), lying (p < 0.001), scratching (p < 0.001), and sitting (p < 0.001) but not for active behaviours and standing (p > 0.05). A positive interaction effect of the temperature humidity wind index and daylength was found for time spent eating, lying, and standing (all p < 0.001), while it was negative for active (p < 0.001), grooming (p < 0.001), littering (p = 0.004), and sitting (p < 0.001). Rainfall negatively affected grooming (p = 0.023) and scratching (p = 0.037). These findings highlight seasonality in cat behaviours, influenced by weather conditions.

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