YOUNGSTAR LANGUAGE SCHOOL

CAT’S REACTION TO STIMULI

BOAZ BUI
SCIENCE CLASS
MS. EMJAY
FEBRUARY 8, 2023
Abstract
Cat’s Reactions to Stimuli
Boaz Bui
Ms. Emjay
This experiment puts cats through their daydreams and living nightmares to
find out how to provide them with the best living environment and healthy feeding
schedules. Throughout the investigation, the different stimuli will help us know more
about what cats prefer and what is harmful to them. And it turns out that as artificial
foods are tasty and have the right amounts of nutrients, cats easily get addicted to
them and therefore also decrease some instincts. Confining cats aren’t
recommended because they become lazy and easily gain unhealthy weight.
Finally, it was concluded that feeding the cat organic food two to three times a
day with fixed schedule is the best option and had the most positive response.
 CAT’S REACTION TO STIMULI

Background
Raising a cat can be a handful, and learning about a cat’s needs, habits, and
preferences can come in pretty handy. Trying to take good care of cats can also
become expensive. Food, environment, and health problems can easily cost a
fortune. But with in-depth research and reading up on cats, being able to nurture a
cat will not be that of a struggle.
Cats can eat a variety of food, both wet and dry; which have separate effects
on cat habits. Cats prefer wet food. Having the perks of providing moisture directly
from the food source. being so, wet foods have as many downsides as they do
upsides. First off, wet food is pricier in comparison to dry food. Secondly, wet food
spoils faster than dry food and therefore is easily wasted and must be scheduled
fixed feeding time.
Ctas naturally are animals of habit, so a fixed schedule will be fine; but cats
still prefer to graze on their food throughout the day. Not only is dry food more
affordable, but it can also be used in dispenser toys, which creates more mental
stimulation for them. Dry food requires more use of water since it provides no
moisture. The best choice for a water bowl might be a wide, and flat one since cats
do not like to have their whiskers touching the sides of the bowl. If meal time is
needed, a cat should be fed 2-3 times a day. People say that kittens should be fed 3-
5 times a day. Note that this is not necessary, and overfeeding isn’t healthy in the
long run.
Born naturally as night hunters, cats can need up to 20 hours of sleep in a 24-
hour period. Do not be worried if your cat sleeps like that. Like humans, a cat’s sleep
can be affected by age, health, mood, and so on. The surface of the bed is also
important to add to the cat’s comfort. Cats prefer softer surfaces over harder, more
unyielding ones.
The problem of this experiment is to explore how certain changes will affect a
cat, and be able to choose the best living conditions for them. From feeding to noting
the cat’s behavior, I want to understand more about a cat’s life.
The hypothesis is that the best feeding plan would be a free flow of dry
artificial cat food, and a bowl of water. Natural food needs to be properly scaled for
nutrients and hydration. This is why standardized artificial food will be more
promising for the cat’s health and yet stimulate them.
Materials
● Cat
● Artificial food(dry/wet)
● Organic food
● Cage
● Gloves
● Water bowl
● Food bowl

Experimental procedure
1. Gather all items necessary for the experiment.
2. Schedule time for each different stimulus. (2 weeks each)
3. Choose a location for the experiment (at home) where all variables can be
used safely.
4. Start with feeding the cat 2 fixed meals at 7 a.m. and 6 p.m., each meal of
30g.
5. Check and record the statistics of the cat.
6. Start feeding the cat a free flow of dry artificial food for 2 weeks.
7. Check and record statistics, and observe the cat’s behavior.
8. Give the cat freedom to roam outside of the cage.
9. Cage the cat 10 hours a day.
10. Record and compare the cat’s behavior.
11. Feed the cat 3 meals a day 20g each meal.
12. Check and record the statistics of the cat.
13. Provide the cat with a cushion on which to sleep.
14. Provide the cat with only a cloth on which to sleep.
15. Compare the cat’s activeness and behavior.
16. Compare data throughout the experiment, and find the schedule, food types,
sleeping, and living conditions that will provide the cat health, energy, rest,
and behavior best.

Data
Giving the cat a free flow of food resulted in it overeating which then caused it
to be lazy and gain weight rapidly. The fixed scheduled meals on the other hand had
positive results, such as being active, energetic, and having a healthy weight. The
cat enjoys sunbathing as well which made the cushions not a necessity. Lowering
the amount of food in a cat’s meal can affect the cat’s behavior. At first, it just
meows, but after two to three days, it can become aggressive or lazier to conserve
energy.
 FEEDING STYLE I CAT’S
_ I WEIGHT _
I
30g organic food twice a day I 3.19kg
(2 weeks) I
free flow of dry artificial food I 3.79kg
(2 weeks) I
caged for 10 hours a day I 3.28kg
(2 weeks) I
not caging the cat all day I 3.22kg
(2 weeks) I

SLEEPING CONDITIONS I HOURS OF

_ IN THE DAY I SLEEP _
I
with a cushion I 8hr
(average of 2 weeks) I
without cushion I 7+hr
(average of 2 weeks) I

Discussion
In the hypothesis, the best diet for the cat was said to be a free flow of dry
artificial food, promising to provide a sufficient amount of nutrients while ensuring
stimulation for the cat.
The biggest factor determining the outcome is the cat’s very own reaction
which had a total opposite outcome with the hypothesis. Not only did the cat overeat
which causes a spike in weight increase but it became way lazier, contrasting the
promise of stimulation the feline needed.
Although limitations like holidays and other people’s interference have
affected the experiment, it was evident that the best diet for the cat, both health and
cost as well as safety was the organic food 3 meal scheduled plan. The cat showed
good behavior toward the meals and was active nearly 11 hours a day.

Bibliography

Feeding cats wet vs dry food

Wet foods benefit cats in ways like getting water from the foods moist instead of
relying on drinking water separately. Although it is better for cats to get moisture and
water from their food, wet food can be pricier. In the meantime, dry foods have
benefits like price per calorie, enabling the cat to graze on its food at any time
because they take a longer time to spoil. Dry foods are also easier to be used in
dispenser toys that provide more mental stimulation for cats. The food and water
bowl are also important parts of feeding a cat.
Link: https://icatcare.org/what-should-i-feed-my-cat-wet-versus-dry-food/

Cat-friendly environment
Cats are clean animals by nature and need a lot of comfort. They are usually very
active and curious animals. If a cat isn’t active and able to play, it may suffer from
boredom. Cats easily get used to places and are very attached. While traveling, the
cat’s comfort comes in first.
Link:
https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/welfare-cats-need-suitable-environment

Cats lying preferences

Cats usually prefer softer surfaces rather then harder surfaces. Because cats are
naturally clean, they will prefer cleaner spots to lie in. But cats also love lying on our
dirty laundry because it smells like us and is soft and comforting. Clean laundry can
also be attractive to cats if we use products with botanical scents. The scent of
bleach can make cats think it’s a place for their unloading business.
Link: https://www.wayofcats.com/blog/why-do-cats-like-to-lie-on-
things/1513#:~:text=Cats%20tend%20to%20prefer%20softer,The%20Princess
%20and%20the%20Pea.

Cat’s feeding time and frequency

Feeding a cat can be as frequent as twice a day to three times a day. Kittens
shouldn’t be fed to many times a day because it may cause obesity and slower
digestion. Being an animal of habit, we can create expected mealtimes for our cats.
Each mealtime should be only about 8 to 10 hours apart. Anytime longer than 12
hours can cause digestive problems.
Link: https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/feeding-times-and-frequency-for-
cats#:~:text=Cats%20should%20eat%20at%20least,can%20become%20hyperacidic
%20causing%20naus
ea.

Cat’s sleeping hours per day

Cats vary greatly in their sleeping time per day. Like humans, their sleep is affected
by age, health, mood, and more. An average cat needs about 15 hours of sleep a
day. This huge amount of sleeping time is also caused because cats are nocturnal
animals. It’s normal for cats to sleep a lot, they are biologically programmed that
way.
Link: https://modkat.com/blogs/modkat-purrr/how-much-do-cats-sleep-and-
how-many-hours-do-they-
really-need
intro, problem, procedure, results, conclusion