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2.1 Introduction
ОглавлениеThe domestic cat (Felis silvestris catus) remains one of the most popular pets in the United States and throughout much of Europe. Recent survey statistics show that approximately 31.9 million households in the United States are home to more than 58 million cats, with an average of 1.8 cats in each cat‐owning home (American Veterinary Medical Association 2018). These data do not capture the millions of community or feral cats that may live amongst people, yet no one claims to own. The ubiquity of the domestic cat may be rooted in its ability to adapt to almost any environment and human perception of the cat as an affectionate yet self‐sustaining household pet (Bradshaw et al. 2012). Despite their popularity, many aspects of the cat’s normal behavior and cognitive abilities have yet to be explored. Fortunately, the last few decades have seen a rapid rise in research related to human‐cat social interactions, cognitive abilities, and factors that may improve welfare or reduce behavior problems within human homes.