Hearing range of the domestic cat

This influential study measured the audible frequency range of the domestic cat using behavioral methods, establishing that cats hear across an exceptionally broad span of frequencies. The work documented sensitivity extending well into the ultrasonic range, far above the human upper limit, while also retaining good sensitivity at lower frequencies. The very high upper limit equips cats to detect the ultrasonic components of rodent vocalizations and rustling, a clear advantage for a small-mammal predator. The study contributed careful audiogram data that have since served as a reference point for comparative hearing research across mammals. By quantifying both the upper and lower bounds of feline hearing, it grounded popular claims about cats' acute high-frequency hearing in rigorous measurement and helped explain how the cat's auditory system is tuned to the acoustic signatures of its prey.