Observing and measuring the drinking mechanism in cats

Abstract

This study explores the characteristics of the lapping mechanism in domestic cats (Felis catus). Using high-speed video, digital image processing, and weight measurements we quantify data pertaining to the frequency of lapping and the volume of liquid consumed per lap. These observations allow us to suggest a possible mathematical model for cat lapping. The results indicate that cats lap at a rate of 3.54 +/- 0.04 Hz. For the various fluids utilized in this study, the lapping rate was 3.35 +/- 0.05 Hz, 4.11 +/- 0.09 Hz, and 3.64 +/- 0.06 Hz for tuna, water, and yogurt mixtures, respectively. On average, cats were able to ingest 0.14 milliliters of fluid per lap with a standard deviation of 0.04 milliliters. These results show no indication of scooping behavior, and are inconclusive regarding the role of papillae. In the future, this work could contribute to an understanding of a more universal lapping mechanism utilized by various felids and other animals. The fluid mechanism that cats utilize to consume liquid could potentially be applied to a number of engineering applications in the developing field of biomimetics.