Everything You Knew About Cat Curiosity Is Wrong

We tend to think of cats as inquisitive little creatures – always poking around, investigating new smells and squeezing themselves into every cardboard box they can find. If your cat has ever stared at you suspiciously while you do something, you’ll know exactly what we mean.

But cats are also sticklers for routine. They like to eat at the same time every day, nap in their favourite spots and wake you up like clockwork. Familiarity makes them feel safe, and while they can adapt to our schedules, they tend to prefer when things stay the same.

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So, what’s the deal – are cats naturally curious or do they like predictability? A bit of both, it turns out. But new research suggests they may lean more heavily towards the familiar than we thought.

Do cats understand object permanence?

Researchers at the University of Sussex set out to test whether cats demonstrate stage six object permanence – known as ‘invisible displacement’. Object permanence is fundamental understanding that people and things continue to exist even when they cannot be seen, heard or touched. Humans typically develop this skill in infancy, and it’s been observed in dogs and apes, too. For example, when a toy is hidden under a blanket, a child who has developed object permanence will search for it, knowing it still exists. In contrast, infants who have not yet reached this stage may act as though the toy has vanished.

This understanding is graded from one to six, the highest being the ability to understand that something still exists even after it’s been moved out of sight, without seeing that happen. Previous studies have shown cats can reach stages four (they begin to search for an object that is hidden in their view) and five (they can find hidden objects but with limits on their visual field).

Object permanence helps animals find food, avoid predators and navigate their surroundings. Given how often cats chase after things that disappear from view, scientists assumed they’d do well in these tests.

But in classic cat fashion, the participants didn’t exactly leap at the chance to cooperate.

Testing curiosity – or lack of it

The researchers designed a sleight-of-hand-style experiment involving two boxes and a toy. The toy was hidden in one of the boxes, which were then moved around. In some cases, the toy ended up where the cat expected it. In others, it appeared in the opposite box – an unexpected or ‘violation’ event. The researchers recorded how long the cats stared at the outcome and how they behaved towards the boxes.

When the toy appeared in the expected location, the cats were more likely to interact with it and show box-directed behaviours. They were also more engaged when a standard outcome came before a violation event. Interestingly, they showed more interest when the toy was moved by a researcher than when it moved on its own.

While these results were surprising – scientists expected the cats to respond more strongly to unexpected outcomes – they suggest that familiarity plays a big role in how cats engage with their surroundings.

Are cats really less curious?

According to Jemma Forman, doctoral researcher at the University of Sussex, cats can understand object permanence, they just need the right motivation. “Previous research found cats are more successful in object permanence trials when a more motivating reward is used, like food instead of a toy,” she says. “They’re also more engaged when the task mirrors hunting behaviour.”

So it’s not that cats lack the intelligence. They just don’t see the point in chasing a toy pillow across a lab when there’s no meaningful reward.

Another factor? People. Cats were less likely to interact with the boxes when the events were presented by a stranger rather than their pet parent. As co-author Jordan S Rowe explained in a press release: “Cats were more likely to play with the toy, but less likely to interact with the boxes, when the presenter was unfamiliar. These findings suggest cats are still interested in cognitive tasks, but their behaviour is more complex in the presence of someone they don’t know.”

Not all cats behaved the same

Results also varied depending on factors like breed, sex and lifestyle. Mixed-breed, female and indoor-only cats were more likely to show interest, as were those who lived with other cats. Clearly, environment and personality shape how engaged a cat might be – especially when being watched.

To further test object permanence, the team ran another experiment where cats had to find a toy that had been visibly hidden in one of two boxes. Over half (56 percent) didn’t find it, and 42 percent didn’t even try – a surprising outcome given that previous studies suggest cats can manage simpler object permanence tasks.

What does all this mean for cat parents?

Ultimately, while cats seem capable of understanding invisible displacement, they often don’t act on it – unless there’s something in it for them. And frankly, that tracks. Anyone who’s lived with a cat knows they’re highly intelligent, but not always fussed about proving it.

Forman notes that this research supports a growing trend in feline science – using cat-friendly methods to better understand their minds. It also reminds us that while cats thrive on routine, some unpredictability during play can be enriching.

“Humans should play with their cats in a way that is enriching for them, which normally involves play that mimics hunting behaviour,” she says. “That might mean incorporating unpredictable movements into your games.”

So – curious, or not?

Cats might not look curious in the same way dogs do, and they may not jump at the chance to help a research project – especially if it involves a stranger and a bland toy. But that doesn’t mean they’re not paying attention. They’re just selective, driven by instinct, routine and motivation.

So yes, your cat might ignore the shiny new toy you bought and instead go wild for a cable tie. They might not come running when you call, but they know your voice. And while they won’t perform tricks for a treat like a dog, they’re observing – just on their own terms.

Which, let’s be honest, is what makes them so cat.

Resources

• Forman, J., Rowe, J.S. and Leavens, D.A. (2025). Object permanence in domestic cats (Felis catus) using violation-of-expectancy by owner and stranger. PLOS One, 20(7), p.e0312225.