IJMZ_2024v14n1

International Journal of Molecular Zoology 2024, Vol.14, No.1, 1-8 http://animalscipublisher.com/index.php/ijmz 5 Intimate physical contact is a particularly warm and meaningful behavior in the realm of cat communication. Through this means, cats express their affection and attachment to one another and reinforce their deep emotional bonds with humans. Understanding and respecting this form of tactile communication can strengthen the relationship between humans and cats, creating a more harmonious and warm communication environment. In conclusion, cats communicate their emotions and intentions through postures, olfaction, and tactile interactions. Whether it's conveying friendliness, vigilance, closeness, or relaxation, these communication methods enrich the social world of cats and provide humans with an opportunity for a deeper understanding. Understanding these communication methods while interacting with cats can help establish more harmonious relationships. 2 Cognitive Abilities of Cats Cats are a group of animals with remarkable cognitive abilities, and in their daily social and survival activities, they display various cognitive skills. From keen olfactory perception to emotional cognition (Vitale Shreve and Udell, 2015), cats process information in their unique way, adapt to environmental changes, and establish profound emotional connections with humans. This review will delve into the cognitive abilities of cats, including olfactory sensitivity, spatial perception, problem-solving, and emotional cognition. 2.1 Olfactory sensitivity Cognitive abilities play a crucial role in the lives of cats, with olfactory sensitivity being a noteworthy feature. Olfaction not only plays an essential role in a cat's perceptual world but also holds significance in their interactions and cognition among themselves. The following will explore the olfactory cognitive capabilities of cats. For cats, olfaction is a highly important sense. They possess highly sensitive olfactory organs capable of detecting subtle changes in odors. Olfaction serves multiple functions in the lives of cats, including locating food, identifying territories, confirming identities, and perceiving changes in their environment (Crowell-Davis et al., 2004) (Figure 4). Olfaction also assists cats in finding potential mates, understanding the emotional states of other cats, and sensing potential dangers. Therefore, olfaction plays an indispensable role in a cat's cognition, affecting their behaviors in social interactions and survival. Figure 4 Sniffing cat Cats use olfactory recognition to perceive each other's identities, emotions, and states. Each cat has a unique scent determined by the chemical substances they secrete from their bodies. When a cat licks or engages in behaviors like cheek rubbing with another cat, they are, in fact, exchanging scent information, enabling them to recognize one another. Furthermore, cats can identify the identities and emotional states of other cats by sniffing urine, feces, and other excretions. Olfactory abilities also allow cats to discern the freshness of food and even perceive the emotional states of their human companions, deepening the emotional connection between cats and humans. The olfactory sensitivity of cats plays a vital role in their cognition. Olfaction not only helps cats acquire information about the world around them but also assists them in establishing connections in social interactions,

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