Research overview: comparative cognition across the cat family

Cognition has been studied far less in cats than in primates, birds, or dogs, but a coherent picture is emerging across the felid family. This overview synthesises research on object permanence, spatial memory, physical and numerical cognition, social cognition toward humans and conspecifics, learning and problem solving, and personality, spanning domestic cats and big cats. It discusses how the solitary or semi-social felid lifestyle shapes which abilities are elaborated, the methodological challenges of testing cats, and promising future directions. It situates the cat within comparative cognition. The topic offers an integrative summary of feline mental abilities and the questions that remain open about how cats think.