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The cat (Felis catus) is the only domesticated species in the family Felidae. Cats are the most common pets in Switzerland, with a population of over 1.6 million. Outdoor access for domestic cats is considered essential for their welfare by many cat owners, which results in high numbers of free-roaming cats. In addition, thousands of stray cats live on farms and industrial areas across Switzerland. Cats prove efficient hunters, and at high densities they can pose a threat to local wildlife. Predation by cats is a topic of considerable scientific and social debate. However, while cats are generally thought to hunt small mammals and birds, little is known about the true diversity of consumed prey species, especially in urban areas.
The FELIDAE citizen science project developed by the Laboratory of Food Systems Biotechnology at ETH Zürich aims to build the community of cat owners, veterinarians, animal protection organizations, and other stakeholders who share interest in animal welfare. This community will discuss issues related to free-roaming cats in Switzerland and explore evidence regarding the impact of cats on wildlife, as well as risks for cat health and wellbeing.
The group will co-design the pilot project that will investigate the diet in cats from Zurich area (indoor vs. free-roaming) using sequencing of traces of DNA from prey items in cat’s feces. Same samples will be used to examine prevalence of pathogens/parasites (as cats frequently come into contact with a variety of wild animals), and the cat gut microbiota, a community of microbes that are essential for cat health. The group will work together to enrich these ‘core’ aims with additional data ‘layers’ and methods, to ensure that project complexity is aligned with the interests and goals of citizen scientist participants and researchers.
The findings about the type and diversity of species in cat diet, as well as insights into the significance of diet- and pathogen-microbiome interactions for cat health will feed back to the community, who will be central to discussing and interpreting the results. Such participatory approach is instrumental to the success of this pilot project, and will pave the road to the FELIDAE project’s expansion beyond Zurich area.
With your help, we will sequence DNA from your cat's poop to understand their diet, health, and well-being. Interested? Fill out this form for more information!
