Longitudinal Study on the Effect of Season and Weather on the Behaviour of Domestic Cats (Felis catus)

To date, little is known about seasonal changes in specific cat behaviours, and how these are affected by weather patterns. Using accelerometer data and a validated machine learning model, behaviours including being active, eating, grooming, littering, lying, scratching, sitting, and standing were quantified for seven research cats for a total of 13 weeks spread over one year, with weather data being collected simultaneously. Generalised linear mixed models were used to statistically test for seasonal differences in proportional behavioural data and how behaviour was affected by weather variables. Seasonal differences were found for time spent eating (<i>p</i> < 0.001), grooming (<i>p</i> < 0.001), littering (<i>p</i> = 0.037), lying (<i>p</i> < 0.001), scratching (<i>p</i> < 0.001), and sitting (<i>p</i> < 0.001) but not for active behaviours and standing (<i>p</i> > 0.05). A positive interaction effect of the temperature humidity wind index and daylength was found for time spent eating, lying, and standing (all <i>p</i> < 0.001), while it was negative for active (<i>p</i> < 0.001), grooming (<i>p</i> < 0.001), littering (<i>p</i> = 0.004), and sitting (<i>p</i> < 0.001). Rainfall negatively affected grooming (<i>p</i> = 0.023) and scratching (<i>p</i> = 0.037). These findings highlight seasonality in cat behaviours, influenced by weather conditions.