Photo Credits
Header Photo: Photo of Kristyn Vitale in 2016, Credit to University Marketing, Oregon State University.
All Other Photos: Cat Photography Belongs to Kristyn Vitale, 2004-2024.
Screenshots: Credited below image.
Dr. Kristyn Vitale is a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist and internationally recognized expert in cat behavior. In 2014, she founded Maueyes Cat Science & Education to enhance cat welfare and strengthen the cat-human relationship through education, behavior consulting, and science outreach.
Cats readily learn new behaviors. Cats can be taught tricks, to walk on harness and leash, and to participate in their own care, also known as cooperative care. Cats learn from their environment, whether their caregiver actively trains them or not. Learning principles can be applied to promote the welfare of cats.
Cats and humans have a long history of co-existence that spans back nearly 10,000 years. Cats can form strong relationships with humans and research indicates that domestic cats display socio-cognitive abilities, such a responsiveness to human behavior and gestures, that help them engage in social relationships.
Free-roaming cats (FRC) display flexible social behavior. FRCs can develop friendly relationships with other cats and they can live in highly gregarious social groups.
Shelter cats have unique welfare needs. Shelter professionals can provide enrichment opportunities to cats as well as recruit volunteers to foster cats in their homes.
Applying science to promote the welfare of cats and their caregivers. Early education in animal behavior is also key to promoting the welfare of cats.
Media Quotes
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Cats rival dogs on many tests of social smarts. But is anyone brave enough to study them? Social cognition researchers are finally probing the secrets of the feline mind…”
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The field [of cat behavior & cognition] is definitely expanding,” Vitale says. “Cats are finally getting their due.”
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….a fairly simple study that attempts to peer into the feline mind can break new ground.”
CatSci Blog
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CatSci Podcast Updates
We have released several new CatSci Podcast episodes over the past few months. In these episodes we explore the science behind whether our cats love us, we talk with Trisha Seifried, a professional cat trainer who has trained cats for commercials and films, we talk to Tabitha Kucera, the owner of Chirrups and Chatter Cat Read more
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Decoding Cats Audible Original
Do you love science and cats? Audible recently released my Audible Original, Decoding Cats: Inside the Feline Mind. This is a series of 10, ~30 minute lectures in which I discuss cat evolution and domestication, kitten development, cat behavior, cat cognition, cat socialization, cat training, and the cat-human relationship. Interested? Click here to learn more Read more
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Can Your Cat Copy You?
I was recently interviewed by Science about a fascinating new study published this month in the journal Animal Cognition. The study demonstrated that a pet cat was capable of reproducing the actions of their human owner. The cat was trained using the Do as I Do (DAID) training method to repeat behaviors that their owner Read more
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CatSci Ep. 5: Cats on a Plane, Navigating Air Travel
Remember when we used to be able to leave our homes and go on trips? For many of us stuck inside due to the Stay at Home order, traveling seems like a thing of the past. But someday when our countries open back up you may find yourself stuck in a situation where you have Read more
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