Exploratory behaviour in domestic cats (Felis silvestris catus Linnaeus, 1758: A review

Abstract

It is possible to understand exploratory behaviour as an activity sponsored by a new stimulus, which consists in acts and postures that enable to collect information about an object or an unfamiliar environment. The exploration has strong implications for the survival of the individual and of its specie facilitating familiarization with new situations. This behaviour has been assessed more significantly in humans and only in the 1950 studies with non-human animals began to occur. In cats, research in this area is still very shy, setting a worrying scenario as the understanding of this behaviour may help in the approaches related to environmental enrichment and animal welfare. Considering that the cat is now an animal of interest such as pet, study model for felids in general and animal experimentation, evaluation of the current situation of this behaviour can help the search for a more ethical relationship with these felids.