What do cats do all day? Kitty cam has answer

[Are_grits_groceries]

LOS ANGELES - What do cats do when their owners are away? There was one way to find out — "cat cams."

Fifty house cats were given collar cameras that took a photo every 15 minutes. The results put a digital dent in some human theories about catnapping. 777 photos were taken.

Based on the photos,
1- About 22 percent of the cats' time was spent looking out of windows.
2- 12 percent was used to interact with other family pets.
3- 8 percent was spent climbing on chairs or kitty condos.
4- Just 6 percent of their hours were spent sleeping.
5- The cats looked at a television, computer, DVDs or other media 6 percent of the time.
6- Hiding under tables 6 percent of the time.
7- Coming in at 5 percent was playing with toys.
8- Eating or looking at food finished at 4 percent.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34262078/ns/health-pet_health/

Sneaky little bastids.... Planning all the time.

[NYC_SKP]

1. Obligatory excerpt from "Cat Diary" to compliment this study...

The Cat's Diary

Day 983 of My Captivity

My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects. They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while the other inmates and I are fed hash or some sort of dry nuggets. Although I make my contempt for the rations perfectly clear, I nevertheless must eat something in order to keep up my strength.

The only thing that keeps me going is my dream of escape. In an attempt to disgust them, I once again vomit on the carpet. Today I decapitated a mouse and dropped its headless body at their feet. I had hoped this would strike fear into their hearts, since it clearly demonstrates my capabilities. However, they merely made condescending comments about what a "good little hunter" I am. Bastards!

There was some sort of assembly of their accomplices tonight. I was placed in solitary confinement for the duration of the event. However, I could hear the noises and smell the food. I overheard that my confinement was due to the power of "allergies." I must learn what this means, and how to use it to my advantage.

Today I was almost successful in an attempt to assassinate one of my tormentors by weaving around his feet as he was walking. I must try this again tomorrow, but at the top of the stairs.

I am convinced that the other prisoners here are flunkies and snitches. The dog receives special privileges. He is regularly released, and seems to be more than willing to return. He is obviously retarded. The bird must be an informant. I observe him communicate with the guards regularly. I am certain that he reports my every move. My captors have arranged protective custody for him in an elevated cell, so he is safe. For now ...

:P

[imdjh]

4. That's wonderful. I have never seen this before.

[niyad]

5. thank you for reminding me about this

[liberalhistorian]

11. ROFLMAO! Having been a quite willing staff member

for a variety of cats all of my life, there are times when I have no trouble believing that this is actually what they're thinking! And I still love them all, lol.

[Skip Intro]

2. People ask who is really in control. Cats act as if they are. 2+2? nt

[liberalhistorian]

13. Hey, don't you know? Dogs have owners, but cats

have staff!

[Skip Intro]

14. zactly - and you know, I'm ok with my feline overlords, happy to serve

I've been without my own personal master for over a year now (out of respect for my last) and that will change this coming Monday. He was a he, and she is a she. Not sure what to expect, but I will be on my best behavior.

[Warren Stupidity]

3. my ancient cat lies on the couch all day

sometimes he gets up to pee, sometimes he gets up to barf, but mostly he just waits for his humans to sit and cuddle.

[cowcommander]

6. They never let them outside?

[gateley]

8. That could be problematic, since "using litter box" isn't on the list. nt

[gateley]

7. I assume those who looked are cat people, so....

just in case you haven't seen this (It's really short and well worth it)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPQmzCgb1gI

[tammywammy]

9. Super cute! n/t

[gateley]

10. I was thinking if I'd done that to my new kitten, she would have been wrapped

around my hand and sinking her teeth into my palm...

[tammywammy]

12. My cat too when he was little

Still to this day pet a little too long and you'll get a love nip. lol

[Berry Cool]

15. Those percentages don't add up to 100.

I want to know what they do with the unaccounted-for time. Actively plan their owners' consternation?

[freeplessinseattle]

16. my cats must be unusually lazy or sleepy

seems whenever I'm gone for more than a couple hours they are all yawning, blinking and stretching like they have just gotten up from a long nap.

Or maybe they are just trying to fool me, crafty creatures, hmmm...

[KakistocracyHater]

17. it wasn't "hiding under tables" so much as lying in wait, to play-ambush cats

humans & dogs, depending on who makes up the household.



still, kill the war

[Occulus]

18. Kind of cute, but it didn't really provide any useful information

One photo every quarter hour really isn't a whole lot to go on; it only tells us what they were doing on that particular snapshot. When I read the headline, I thought they were using streaming video, which would have been definitive and can't possibly be too hard or too expensive to do.

It is cute, kind of, but I'd like to see something more comprehensive and sciency. :P

edit: Wow, I just looked at the photo a little closer, and that camera looks like it's intended to be a commercial product. Look at the design of the thing; that looks like it's a bit pricey.

Reading further, it was Friskies that funded the "study". IOW, this was more for marketing and brand-recognition purposes than it was for actual domestic cat behavioral science. The corporate mindset strikes again....