References and Further reading

This list includes information from both volumes of the Confident Kittens series, along with additional recommended reading for those who wish to go deeper into the topics covered.

Cat Behavior and Socialization

• Ahola, M. K., & Vapalahti, K. (2020). Early weaning, early maternal separation and later undesirable behaviour in cats. Veterinary Record, 187(2), 52. This large-scale study directly links kitten separation before 8 weeks to a higher prevalence of aggression toward strangers, excessive shyness, and wool or fabric sucking. This provides strong, science-based support for keeping kittens with their family for at least 16 to 20 weeks.
• Baranski, A. (2025, August 16). Homing ability of cats: Explaining their internal navigation system. Profolus. https://www.profolus.com/ topics/homing-ability-cats-explaining-their-internal-navigation-system/. Synthesizes research on hippocampal place cells, grid cells, and head direction cells in cats, illustrating how these cells form internal maps for navigation. It explains how cats integrate visual landmarks, olfactory cues, and vestibular input to sustain spatial memory and homing behavior.
• Bradshaw, J. W. S., & Cameron-Beaumont, C. (2000). The effect of socialisation on the domestic cat. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 69(1), 1-13. This paper addresses how early socialization experiences shape a cat's social development. It provides a scientific basis for understanding how positive social interactions with adult cats, like those described in the umbrella effect and mutual grooming sections, contribute to the development of well-adjusted, confident adult cats.
• Bradshaw, J. (2013). Cat sense: How the new cat science can make you a better friend to your pet. Basic Books. Helps caregivers understand cat behavior from the cat’s perspective, a core theme of the Confident Kittens books.
• Bradshaw, J. (2016). The trainable cat: A practical guide to making life happier for you and your cat. Basic Books. Practical guidance on training cats, which supports this book’s sections on positive reinforcement and early learning.
• Bradshaw, J. W. S. (2016). Sociality in cats: A comparative review. Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research, 15, 15–20. A source for understanding the social structure of cat colonies, focusing on how domestic cats form social groups under certain conditions, particularly when food is readily available. It discusses the matriarchal nature of these groups and the distinct roles of males and females, supporting findings on male and female behavior in communities.
• Crowell-Davis, S. L., Curtis, T. M., and Knowles, R. J. (2004). Social organization in the cat: A modern understanding. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, 6(1), 19–28. Reviews cat social structures and group dynamics, and provides a scientific foundation for the chapter on cat communities and social structures, and challenges the outdated view of cats as solitary animals. Examines how cat colonies function with fluid leadership, cooperative caregiving, and role flexibility.
• Damasceno, J., Genaro, G., & Terçariol, C. A. S. (2016). Effect of the presence of a person known to the cats on the feeding behavior and placement of feeders of a domestic cat colony. Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research, 11(2), 31–36. https://doi.org.10.1016/j.jveb. 2015.11.002. This study documents how colony cats organize themselves around resources, showing that established members often gain preferential access. While not focused exclusively on elderly cats, it provides peer-reviewed evidence of resource tolerance and social organization in colonies, supporting accommodation of long-standing members.
• d'Ingeo, S., Siniscalchi, M., Straziota, V., Ventriglia, G., Sasso, R., & Quaranta, A. (2023). Relationship between asymmetric nostril use and human emotional odours in cats. Scientific Reports, 13(1), 10982. https://doi.org/10.1038 /s41598-023-38167-w. Cats can perceive and respond to human emotional states solely through olfactory cues.
• Finkler, H., Hatna, F., Terkel, I., & Shkedy, A. (2011). Behavioral differences between urban feeding groups of neutered and sexually intact cats that roam unrestricted following a trap-neuter-return procedure. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 238(9), 1141–1149. Provides the scientific basis for the role of neutered males in cat communities, supporting their classification as welcome visitors or members.
• Ley, J. (2016). Cat social behavior and personality. In August's Consultations in Cat Internal Medicine, Vol 7. Summarizes cat personality traits and their relevance to health, and supports these sections with sections on temperament and on how a cat's personality is a blend of genetics and experience.
• Macdonald, D. W., Apps, P. J., Carr, G. M., & Kerby, G. (1987). Social dynamics, nursing coalitions, and infanticide among farm cats, Felis catus. Ethology, 75(Suppl.), 66–84. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1439-0310.1987.tb00641. Provides detailed field observations of farm cat colonies, including communal nesting, cooperative kitten care, and shifting responsibilities among females.
• Martvel, G., Lazebnik, T., and Zamansky, A. (2025). Rapid facial mimicry in the domestic cat (Felis catus). Scientific Reports, 15(1). https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-024-79216-2. This study, cited in Science and Kinship, found that cats engage in rapid facial mimicry during social interactions, a behavior associated with social bonding and empathy in many species. The research, conducted using AI to analyze cat facial expressions, supports the hypothesis that cats exhibit greater social flexibility than previously assumed.
• Merck Veterinary Manual. (2023). Social Behavior of Cats. A comprehensive, science-based resource that offers a foundation for chapters on socialization, development, and cat behavior.
• Merola, I., Lazzaroni, M., Marshall-Pescini, S., & Prato-Previde, E. (2015). Social referencing and cat–human communication. Animal Cognition, 18(3), 637–646. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25573289/.
• Purrisphere. (2025, June 18). Cat spatial memory and navigation: Why cats never forget. Purrisphere. https://purrisphere.com/cats/ cat-psychology-and-emotions/ cat-spatial-memory/. Reviews the neuroscience of cat spatial memory, including the role of the hippocampus and cerebral cortex, and describes how cats create mental maps of their environment. Highlights their ability to remember routes, hiding spots, and landmarks with remarkable accuracy.
• Quaranta, A., d’Ingeo, S., Amoruso, R., & Siniscalchi, M. (2020). Emotion recognition in cats. Animals, 10(7), 1107. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10071107 Explores cats' ability to recognize the emotions of both other cats and humans through visual and auditory cues. Demonstrates that cats can match facial expressions with vocalizations that convey human emotions, such as happiness and anger, and adjust their behavior accordingly.
• Rodan, I., and Heath, S. (2016). Feline behavioral health and welfare. Saunders. This book is widely regarded as the gold standard for a welfare-centered framework for assessing a cat's health and well-being. Confident Kittens aligns with it, prioritizing emotional safety and nurturing both a cat's body and mind.
• Snowdon, C. T., Teie, D., & Savage, M. (2015). Cats prefer species-appropriate music. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 166, 106–111. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim. 2015.02.013.
• Turner, D. C. (2021). The mechanics of social interactions between cats and their caregivers. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 8, 650143. Explores micro-interactions between cats and people, emphasizing mutual influence and the development of a strong bond through empathy and clear communication.
• Turner, D. C. (2021). Unanswered questions and hypotheses about domestic cat behavior, ecology, and the cat-human relationship. Animals (Basel), 11(10), 2823. Identifies gaps in cat behavioral research and supports this book's emphasis on science and the ongoing need for curiosity and observation.
• Vitale, K. R., Behnke, A. C., & Udell, M. A. R. (2019). Attachment bonds between domestic cats and humans. Current Biology, 29(18), R864–R865. https://doi.org/10. 1016/j.cub.2019.08.036 Demonstrates that cats form attachment patterns with humans similar to those seen in dogs and infants. It supports the idea that cats track and respond to human emotional availability, which is part of their emotional mapping of family and caregivers.
• Vitale, D. R., et al. (2019). The quality of being sociable: The influence of human attentional state, population, and human familiarity on domestic cat sociability. Behavioural Processes, 158, 11–17. This article provides a scientific basis for how a caregiver’s behavior directly influences a cat's social skills.

Cat Origins and Domestication

• Driscoll, C. A., et al. (2007). The Near Eastern origin of cat domestication. Science, 317(5837), 519–523. https://doi.org/ 10.1126/science. 1139518. Landmark genetic study identifying F. s. lybica as the ancestor of all domestic cats.
• Driscoll, C. A., MacDonald, D. W., and O'Brien, S. J. (2009). From wild animals to domestic pets: an evolutionary view of domestication. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 106(S1), 9971–9978. https://doi.org/ 10.1073/pnas.0901584106. This evolutionary review traces the domestication of animals, including cats, from wild ancestors to household companions, highlighting the genetic, behavioral, and ecological shifts that shaped their transition into human environments.
• Han, Y., Hu, S., Liu, K., Xu, X., et al. (2025). Leopard cats occupied human settlements in China for 3,500 years before the arrival of domestic cats. bioRxiv. https://doi.org/10.1101/2025.01.31. 635809. Reveals long-term coexistence of leopard cats with humans in China before F. catus arrival.
• Krajcarz, M., et al. (2022). The History of the Domestic Cat in Central Europe. Antiquity, 96(390), 1628–1633. https://doi.org/10.15184/ aqy.2022.128. Combines zooarchaeology and palaeogenomics to trace cat migration and domestication beyond the Mediterranean.
• Nilson, S.M., Gandolfi, B., Grahn, R.A. et al. Genetic analyses of randomly bred cats support the hypothesis that the cradle of cat domestication was in the Near East. Heredity 129, 346–355 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/ s41437-022-00568-4. Genetic evidence from over 1,000 randomly bred cats supports the eastern Mediterranean Basin as the cradle of domestication, where early agrarian societies and bold wildcats formed a mutually beneficial alliance that shaped cat migration and diversity.
• Ottoni, C., et al. (2017). The paleogenetics of cat dispersal in the ancient world. Nature Ecology and Evolution, 1(0139). https://doi.org/ 10.1038/s41559-017-0139 Uses paleogenetics to map ancient cat dispersal routes across continents.
• Todd, Neil B. Cats and Commerce. Scientific American, vol. 237, no. 6, Dec. 1977, pp. 100–107. https://gwern.net/doc/genetics/ selection/natural/1977-todd.pdf. This article presented early hypotheses regarding the geographic origins and trade-based dispersal of orange coat coloration in domestic cats, linking genetic clinal variation to historical trade routes.
• Vigne, J.-D., et al. (2016). Earliest “domestic” cats in China identified as leopard cats. PLOS ONE, 11(1), e0147295. https:// doi.org/ 10.1371/journal.pone.0147295 Uses morphometric analysis to show that Neolithic Chinese cat remains were leopard cats, not Felis catus.

Sensory Science and Cognition

• Yong, E. (2022). An immense world: How animal senses reveal the hidden realms around us. Random House.
• Alasaad, S., et al. (2013). Chemical communication in social animals: The role of scent in group cohesion. Animal Behaviour, 86(6), 1185–1193.
• Banks, M. S. (2015). Why do animal eyes have pupils of different shapes? Science Advances, 1(1), e1500391. Explains how pupil shape correlates with ecological niche and sensory demands.
• Bradshaw, J. W. S., Casey, R. A., & Brown, S. L. (2012). The behavior of the domestic cat (2nd ed.). CABI. As a standard textbook on cat behavior, it extensively discusses cat social behavior, navigation, and cognitive processes, grounded in empirical evidence, providing a solid foundation for understanding spatial, social, and emotional mapping.
• Dijkgraaf, S. (2025). Mechanoreception in mammals: Comparative physiology and behavioral implications. Encyclopaedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/ science/mechanoreception.
• Documentary. (2013). Feline Intelligence. Animal Planet. https://drdawnthepetvet.com/cat-memory-and-intelligence-how-to-test-it/. 
• Fiset, S., & Doré, F. Y. (2005). Duration of cats' (Felis catus) working memory for disappearing objects. Animal Cognition, 9(1), 62–70. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10071-005-0005-4.
• Galvan, M., & Vonk, J. (2016). Cats (Felis catus) discriminate between their owner's and a stranger's voice. Animal Cognition, 19(5), 879–890. https://doi.org/ 10.1007/s10071-016-0991-1. This study, along with others in the field of cat cognition, suggests that cats use multisensory cues, including vocal, olfactory, and facial cues, to identify familiar humans and respond to emotional states.
• Gladwell, M. (2005). Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking. Back Bay Books.
• Hampton, A., Ford, A., Cox, R. E., 3rd, Liu, C. C., & Koh, R. (2020). Effects of music on behavior and physiological stress response of domestic cats in a veterinary clinic. Journal of feline medicine and surgery, 22(2), 122–128. https://doi.org/10.1177/1098612X1 9828 131.
• Horvath, G., Andersson, H., & Paulsson, G. (2010). Characterization of volatile organic compounds in human breath and skin: Potential markers of cancer. Journal of Breath Research, 4(2), 026002.
• Ito, Y., Watanabe, A., Takagi, S., Arahori, M., & Saito, A. Cats beg for Food from humans who look at and call to them: ability to understand humans’ Attentional States. Psychologia. 59 (2–3), 112–120 (2016).
• Kim, S. A. (2025). Social behavior of cats. In Merck Veterinary Manual (Professional version). Merck & Co., Inc. Retrieved from https://www. merckvetmanual.com /behavior/behavior-of-cats/ social -behavior-of-cats. This entry explains that cats use olfactory cues to assess social and environmental security, and that affiliative versus distancing behaviors are modulated by health, stress, and colony dynamics.
• Koyasu, H. & Nagasawa, M. Recognition of directed gaze from humans in cats. Jpn J. Anim. Psychol . 69 (1), 27–34 (2019).
• Kratzing, J. (1978). The vomeronasal organ of the cat: A morphological and histochemical study. Acta Anatomica, 100(3), 299–317. Describes the structure and histochemistry of the cat vomeronasal organ.
• Finka, L. R. (2022). Conspecific and human sociality in the domestic cat. Animals (Basel), 12(3), 298. Explores how cats navigate conspecific and human social environments.
• Fiset, S., & Doré, F. Y. (1996). Spatial encoding in domestic cats (Felis catus). Journal of Experimental Psychology: Animal Behavior Processes, 22(4), 420–437. https://doi.org/10.1037/0097-7403.22.4.420 This paper shows that cats flexibly encode spatial information, shifting between self-based and environment-based cues. This supports the idea that curious kittens exploring the table in the judging ring are not memorizing details but building flexible spatial schemas. It provides direct evidence that cats make and adapt spatial maps.
• Furuhashi, T., Toda, K., & Weckwerth, W. (2024). Review of cancer cell volatile organic compounds: Their metabolism and evolution. Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences, 11, 1499104. https://doi.org/ 10.3389/fmolb.2024.1499104. These authors emphasize that many of the volatile organic compounds released by tumors, such as aldehydes, ketones, and hydrocarbons, are also produced during infection, inflammation, and oxidative stress, which explains why cats may respond to cancer VOCs as if they were familiar illness cues in their colony mates.
• Doré, F. Y. (1986). Object permanence in adult cats. Journal of Comparative Psychology, 100(4), 340–347. Demonstrates object permanence in adult cats using controlled experiments.
• Galvan, M. & Vonk, J. Man’s other best friend: domestic cats (F. Silvestris Catus) and their discrimination of human emotion cues. Anim. Cogn.19 (1), 193–205 (2016).
• Goulet, S., Doré, F. Y., and Rousseau, R. (1994). Object permanence and working memory in cats. J. Exp. Psychol. Anim. Behav. Process, 20(4), 347–365. Assesses working memory and object tracking in cat cognition.
• Merola, I., Lazzaroni, M., Marshall-Pescini, S. & Prato-Previde, E. Social referencing and cat-human communication. Anim. Cogn . 18 (3), 639–648 (2015).
• Miklósi, A., Pongrácz, P., Lakatos, G., Topál, J. & Csányi, V. A comparative study of the use of visual communicative signals in interactions between dogs (Canis familiaris) and humans, and cats (Felis catus) and humans. J. Comp. Psychol. Wash. DC 1983. 119 (2), 179–186 (2005).
• Pageat, P., and Gaultier, E. (2003). The Flehmen Response and Vomeronasal Organ in Domestic Cats. Chemical Senses, 28(7), 583–591. The flehmen response is linked to vomeronasal activation and social communication.
• PawKitty. (2024, March 21). Feral cat colony dynamics: A social structure study. Retrieved from https://pawkitty.com/blog/feral-cat-colony-dynamics-a-social-structure-study. Allogrooming, tolerance, and social cohesion in feral colonies, noting that long-standing members often receive preferential access to resources and shelter.
• PEMF Magazine. (2025, May 11). The healing power of a cat’s purr: Vibrational therapy and the science behind it. https:/pemfmagazine. com/the-healing-power-of-a-cat 's-purr-vibrational-therapy-and-the-science-behind-it.
• Quaranta, A., d'Ingeo, S., & Siniscalchi, M. (2020). Emotion recognition in cats. Animals, 10(7), Article 1107. https://doi.org/10.3390/ ani10071107. Investigates cats’ ability to recognize human emotions through facial and vocal cues. Demonstrates that cats match emotional faces with vocalizations and adjust behavior accordingly. It confirms that cats integrate visual, auditory, and olfactory cues to build emotional maps of their environment and social partners. This supports that cats do not just react, they interpret.
• Saito, A. & Shinozuka, K. Vocal recognition of owners by domestic cats (Felis catus). Anim. Cogn . 16 (4), 685–690 (2013).
• Saito, A., Shinozuka, K., Ito, Y., & Hasegawa, T. (2019). Domestic cats (Felis catus) discriminate their names from other words. Scientific Reports, 9(1), 5394. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-40616-4. Tested 78 cats; found they responded more to their own names than to other words, even when spoken by strangers. 
• Takagi, S., Arahori, Y., Saito, A., & Fujita, K. (2022). Cats match names of familiar conspecifics and humans to faces. Scientific Reports, 12(1), 8152. https://doi.org/10.1038 /s41598-022-08162-9. 
• Takagi, S., Arahori, M., Saito, A., & Fujita, K. (2022). Cats (Felis catus) discriminate between human facial expressions of emotion: A look at the role of familiarity. Animal Cognition, 25(2), 329–341. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10071-021-01537-1. This study found that cats can distinguish between human facial expressions, especially when the person is familiar, and may adjust their behavior accordingly. It supports cats combining scent and sight to build emotional maps of their environment.
• Takagi, S., Arahori, M., & Fujita, K. (2021). Socio-spatial cognition in cats: Mentally mapping the owner's location from voice. PLoS ONE, 16(11), Article e0257611. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone. 0257611. This study directly investigated cats' ability to form mental maps of their environment, including the location of a social companion (the owner). The results provide scientific support for the concept of a socio-spatial map.
• Takagi, S. et al. Cats learn the names of their friend cats in their daily lives. Sci. Rep.12 (1), 6155 (2022).
• Takagi, S., Koyasu, H., Nagasawa, M. et al. Rapid formation of picture-word association in cats. Sci Rep 14, 23091 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-74006-2. The study showed that cats can match the names of other cats and humans with faces and photos, indicating cross-modal recognition.
• Triana, E., and Pasnak, R. (1981). Object permanence in cats and dogs. Animal Learning and Behavior, 9(1), 135–139. Compares the development of object permanence in cats and dogs.
• Vitale Shreve, K. R., and Udell, M. A. R. (2015). What is inside your cat's head? A review of cat cognition research: past, present, and future. Animal Cognition, 18(6), 1195–1206. Examines the evolution of cat cognition studies and supports this book's approach to viewing cats as thoughtful and intelligent individuals. It also covers spatial navigation, social learning, and aspects of owner relationships, all of which relate to different cognitive maps.
• Vitale, K. R. & Udell, M. A. R. The quality of being sociable: the influence of human attentional state, population, and human familiarity on domestic cat sociability. Behav. Processes. 158, 11–17 (2019).Zhang, L., Needham, K. B., Juma, S., Si, X., & Martin, F. Feline communication strategies when presented with an unsolvable task: the attentional state of the person matters. Anim. Cogn . 24 (5), 1109–1119 (2021).

Human-Animal Bond and Emotional Support

• Bradshaw, J. (2017). The animals among us: How pets make us human. Basic Books.
• Goleman, D. (2007). Social intelligence: The new science of human relationships. Bantam.
• Hart, L. A., et al. (2018). Compatibility of cats with children in the family. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 5. Assesses compatibility between cats and children, with implications for family placement.
• Pendry, P. (2025). Exploring feline therapy: New research indicates cats could play a vital role in assistive care. Scienmag. Presents emerging research on cat therapy and its potential in assistive care settings.
• Volpe, M. A. (2025). Some cats thrive as therapy animals. Newsweek. https://www.newsweek.com/cats-therapy-service -animals-research-2047097. Reports on new findings suggest some cats prosper when serving as therapy animals.

Animal Behavior 

• Battaglia, C. L. (1977). Early Neurological Stimulation and Its Effects on Later Responses in Canines. DARPA Technical Report. Introduces early neurological stimulation protocols and their long-term behavioral effects in dogs.
• Ellis, S. L., Rodan, I., Carney, H. C., Heath, S., Rochlitz, I., Shearburn, L. D., Sundahl, E., & Westropp, J. L. (2013). AAFP and ISFM guidelines on feline environmental needs. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, 15(3), 219–230.https://doi.org/10.1177/ 1098612X13477537. Based on guidelines for a healthy cat environment, a kitten's socialization is most successful when its needs for a safe space, play opportunities, and positive human interaction are met. 
• Grandin, T., & Johnson, C. (2005). Animals in Translation: Using the Mysteries of Autism to Decode Animal Behavior. Scribner. Discusses how animals see details that humans miss.
• Grandin, T., & Johnson, C. (2009). Animals Make Us Human: Creating the Best Life for Animals. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. This focuses on the emotional "blueprints" of animals and how to meet their welfare needs.
• Junttila, S., et al. (2024). Do cognitive traits associate with everyday behaviour in the domestic dog? Animal Behaviour. Links canine cognitive traits to everyday behavior, suggesting parallels for cat studies.
• Kaiser, L., & Hölzel, M. (2018). Effect of the Tellington TTouch® method on horse behaviour in daily practices. ResearchGate. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/323803744_Effect_of_the_Tellington_TtouchR_Method_on_Horse_Behaviour_in_Daily_Practices. On horses, the researchers noted improved relaxation, behavioral improvements, and calmer responses during routine care. There were practical benefits, with trainers and caregivers reporting smoother interactions and enhanced trust.
• Karsh, E. B., and Turner, D. C. (1988). The human-cat relationship. In The domestic cat: The biology of its behaviour (pp. 159–177). Cambridge University Press. Analyzes the emotional and behavioral dynamics of the human-cat bond.
• Knudsen, E. I. (2004). Sensitive periods in the development of the brain and behavior. Journal of Neurobiology, 54(1), 141–163. Defines sensitive periods in brain development that underpin early socialization theory.
• Sengul, A. V., et al. (2021). Increasing the duration of working memory in dogs with visual cues. Proceedings of the Cognitive Science Society, 43. Demonstrates how visual cues can extend working memory duration in dogs.
• Turner, D., and Bateson, P. (2014). The domestic cat: The biology of its behaviour (3rd ed.). Cambridge University Press. Synthesizes decades of research on cat behavior, ecology, and human interaction, spatial memory, and navigation.
• Wendler, M. C. (2001). Is Tellington Touch nursing? Holistic Nursing Practice, 15(5), 75–83. This article discusses the TTouch method in the context of nursing practice, suggesting that it is an emerging therapeutic intervention. The author notes that rigorous research studies are needed to provide a solid evidence-based foundation for TTouch in clinical settings.
• Wendler, M. C. (2003). Effects of Tellington Touch in Healthy Adults Awaiting Venipuncture. Journal of Holistic Nursing, 21(1), 59–72. While most research on TTouch focuses on animals, some studies have explored its effects on humans. This study investigates the calming effects of TTouch on human subjects. The TTouch group showed statistically and clinically significant decreases in mean blood pressure and heart rate. 

Nutrition and Physical Development

• Plantinga, E. A., et al. (2011). Estimation of the dietary nutrient profile of free-roaming feral cats. British Journal of Nutrition, 106(S1), S35–S48. Estimates the nutrient intake of feral cats based on prey analysis.
• Stasiak, M. (2002). The development of food preferences in cats. Nutritional Neuroscience, 5, 221–228. Explores how early experiences shape food preferences in cats.
• Zhao, Z., et al. (2024). A non-invasive method to determine core temperature for cats and dogs using surface temperatures. BMC Veterinary Research, 20, Article 199. Tests surface temperature methods for estimating core temperature in cats and dogs.
• Gaillard, V., Chastant, S., England, G., Forman, O., German, A. J., Suchodolski, J. S., Villaverde, C., Chavatte-Palmer, P., & Péron, F. (2022). Environmental risk factors in puppies and kittens for developing chronic disorders in adulthood: A call for research on developmental programming. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 9, 944821. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets. 2022.944821
• Cats Protection. (n.d.). Pregnant cats, birth and care of young kittens [PDF]. Cats Protection UK. https://www.cats.org.uk/ media/1029/ eg18_pregnant_cats-_birth_and_care_of_ young_ kittens.pdf
• Registered Pets UK. (2023, July 28). The risks of breeding cats and health complications. https://www.registeredpets. co.uk/blog/risks -breeding-cats-health-complications
• Tsutsui, T., Kuwabara, S., Kuwabara, K., Kugota, Y., Kinjo, T., & Hori, T. (2004). Development of spermatogenic function in the sex maturation process in male cats. Journal of Veterinary Medical Science, 66(9), 1125–1127. https://doi.org/10.1292/jvms.66.1125
• Pintus, E., Kadlec, M., Karlasová, B., Popelka, M., & Ros-Santaella, J. L. (2021). Spermatogenic activity and sperm traits in post-pubertal and adult tomcats (Felis catus): Implication of intra-male variation in sperm size. Cells, 10(3), 624. https://doi.org/10.3390/cells10030624
• Vieira, D. K., Suzano, S. M. C., Pires, M. V. M., Alvarenga, A. R., Silveira, A. M. M., Abrami, B. R., & Ferreira, A. M. R. (2009). Andrological examination in domestic cats (Felis catus) by use of the electroejaculation method. World Small Animal Veterinary Association World Congress Proceedings. https://www.vin.com/ apputil/content/ defaultadv1.aspx?id= 4253073&pid=11290

Veterinary and Clinical Sources

• Beaver, B. V. (2003). Cat Behavior: A Guide for Veterinarians. Saunders.
• Crowell-Davis, S. L. (2005). The cat: Clinical medicine and management. Saunders.
• Herron, M. E., et al. (2020). Decoding your cat. American College of Veterinary Behaviorists.
• Overall, K. L. (2013). Manual of Clinical Behavioral Medicine for Dogs and Cats. Elsevier Health Sciences.
• Barton, J. C., et al. (2022). A noninvasive method of temperature measurement using a noncontact handheld infrared thermometer fails to correlate with rectal temperature in dogs and cats. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 260(7), 801–807. Evaluates infrared thermometry in cats and dogs, finding poor correlation with rectal temperature.
• Robertson, S. A., and Lascelles, B. D. (2010). Long-term pain in cats: How much do we know about this important welfare issue? Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, 12(3), 188–199. Highlights the underdiagnosis of chronic pain in cats and its implications for their welfare.
• Declawing, Welfare, and Ethics
• Hove, J. (2021). The Cat Lover's Anti-Declawing Handbook. Vetwise Publishing. An advocacy handbook detailing the physical and psychological consequences of declawing.
• Martell-Moran, N. K., et al. (2018). Pain and adverse behavior in declawed cats. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, 20(4), 280–288. Correlates declawing with increased pain and adverse behaviors in cats.
• Paw Project: https://www.pawproject.org. Nonprofit organization promoting education and legislative reform around declawing.

Websites and Organizations

• Alley Cat Allies. Resources page. Retrieved from https://www.alleycat.org/ resources/cat-socialization-contin-uum-guide/. 
• American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA). Retrieved from https://www.aaha.org/.
• American College of Veterinary Behaviorists. Retrieved from https://www.dacvb.org/.
• Animal Humane Society. Caring for young kittens and their moms. https://www.animalhumanesociety.org/resource/ caring-young-kittens-and-their-moms.
• ASPCA . Pet care: Cat care. Retrieved from https://www.aspca.org/ pet-care/cat-care.
• BeChewy. Retrieved from https://be.chewy.com/.
• Bond Vet. Retrieved from https://bondvet.com/.
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