Inexperienced but still interested – Indoor-only cats are more inclined for predatory play than cats with outdoor access

Many companion cats (Felis catus) in industrialised countries are raised under human supervision and often kept completely indoors. Even if we assume that were not selected intentionally against hunting behaviour, can still hypothesize because of the differences their epigeny prey-related experiences, adult would show different willingness to engage hunting-type behaviours. Play is considered as a useful proxy for testing predatory behaviour non-invasive conditions. We investigated influence raising keeping conditions on play cats. recorded subjects’ (N = 31) reactions artificial prey-like stimuli such balls sizes (latency approach latency contact), catching wand (frequency failed attempts catching, duration holding) playback sound birds, paper crumpling, plastic bags, mice search source). Indoor-only approached, touched or played with sooner than indoor-outdoor started searching sounds. Cats mother longer duration, had less chaser, subjects shorter irrespective condition. more interested resemblance prey, even though these have been deprived experience live prey. There various theories explain findings, including higher drive lack stimulation; refined prey recognition; reduced fear due indoor-only