A girl, about to be killed, is doing laundry. Without thinking, she tosses her pet cat’s fur into the washing machine along with her clothes—if you’ve seen the critically acclaimed 2023 sci-fi film Mars Express, this detail likely left a strong impression. In the movie, the girl’s pet cat is actually a robotic cat. Imagine if such a robot existed—one that looks just like a real cat, can play with you, requires no feeding, litter cleaning, or medical care, and never keeps you up at night with wild antics. Plus, it can even be machine-washed. It’s easy to see why many would be intrigued by such a futuristic pet. Of course, with today’s technology, creating such a robot cat is still a far-off dream. But with cats becoming more and more popular and their place in human lives becoming increasingly important, “cat cuddling” has turned into a global cultural phenomenon. So, how will we cuddle cats in the future? What kind of cats will we cuddle? Beyond just cuddling, how else will we interact with cats?
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From Semi-Domesticated to Fully Domesticated: The Future Evolution of Pet Cats
Dogs are a success story of domestication, with a remarkable variety of breeds. From the tiny Chihuahua to the majestic Great Dane, dogs show incredible diversity in size, appearance, and temperament. Cats, however, are a different story. While we do have various breeds of pet cats today, compared to dogs, cats remain a less fully domesticated species. Cats have voluntarily chosen to live with us. Their ancestors, the African wildcats, began living alongside humans over 10,000 years ago when the rise of agriculture attracted rodents to human food stores. This led to a mutually beneficial relationship between cats and humans. Unlike dogs, which were selectively bred for specific purposes, wildcats were not subjected to the same pressures. Modern house cats and wildcats share similar genetics. Your large tabby could easily survive in the wild. Humans have had limited influence on changing a cat’s natural behavior.An interesting example of this is the UK’s legal definition of cats as “free spirits,” meaning cats are not bound by the same restrictions as dogs or other pets, and owners are not held responsible for any damage caused by a cat’s free-roaming. UK law recognizes that cats are their own masters and choose to live with humans. The reason humans haven’t “fully” domesticated cats is simple—humans haven’t demanded much from them. For millennia, a cat’s main job has been to catch mice, and as long as it does that, humans have had little else to ask. But today, in an industrialized society, more and more people treat cats as pets, and we’re seeing cats with all sorts of unique and unusual appearances. This is exactly what’s happening as cats move down the same path as dogs—human demand for more diverse types of cats will inevitably lead to deeper domestication in the future.Those familiar with animal domestication history will recall the Soviet Union’s silver fox experiment. In the 1950s, Russian scientist Dmitri K. Belyaev bred a group of foxes in Siberia, and through strict artificial selection, he developed domesticated foxes within just ten generations. While later research revealed flaws in his experiment (the initial group of foxes weren’t wild but had already been selectively bred for decades), the experiment still demonstrated that with modern technology, humans can domesticate a variety of animal species in a short period. The same trend is emerging in the pet cat industry: breeding more cats with unique appearances and characteristics. Today, we see long-haired, short-haired, and even hairless cats in various sizes, and in the future, we might see giant cats resembling wildcats or lynxes, or tiny “teacup” cats that could fit in the palm of your hand. As genetics and breeding technology continue to advance, the appearance and personalities of pet cats will evolve further to meet the diverse demands of cat lovers.On the other hand, as urbanization progresses, cats that have not been bred to meet specific human desires are also adapting to their new environments. For example, in Colombo, Sri Lanka, fishing cats are adapting to city life. They use the urban canal systems to hunt and have learned how to cross busy streets. Though fishing cats are not fully domesticated, their rapid behavioral adjustments suggest dynamic changes in gene expression. For instance, genes related to navigation might be activated in these urban environments, helping them create complex travel routes. Similarly, stray cats living in cities have developed more complex social strategies. In cities with higher food density, they must deal with not only humans but also other cats, which leads them to adapt to a semi-social lifestyle, unlike wild cats, which are strictly solitary. So, how many cats do you have at home, and what’s the relationship between them?
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Talking Cats: The Technological Bridge to Cross-Species Communication
In many works of fiction, we see talking cats, such as the Cat Teacher in Natsume’s Book of Friends, who can communicate with humans and has powerful supernatural abilities, or the male calico cat “Shamisen” in The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, which is a miraculous creation born from the wish of the universe’s true god, Haruhi Suzumiya. Of course, in the real world, it’s unlikely anyone actually wants a cat that talks and has human-like intelligence, as this could lead to the “uncanny valley” effect, sparking ethical and societal issues. However, with the rapid development of large language models and artificial intelligence, the idea of translating cat sounds into human language is becoming increasingly feasible.In the near future (say, within the next five years), we may see a smart (cat) portable device that can monitor a cat’s meows, body movements, and facial expressions in real-time. Using advanced AI algorithms, this device could translate these signals into language humans can understand. For example, if a cat meows, the device might analyze the sound and determine whether it means “I’m hungry,” “I want to play,” or “I’m feeling unwell.” Additionally, such a device could reverse the process, translating human speech into sounds or signals that cats can understand, facilitating two-way communication between cats and their owners. Beyond translation, the device could also monitor a cat’s physiological and psychological states, alerting owners if abnormalities are detected. For example, if the device detects an elevated heart rate, it could notify the owner that the cat may be anxious or sick, suggesting a visit to the vet.A more radical idea would be to integrate brain-machine interface technology into this device, allowing it to read neural signals from a cat’s brain to understand its thoughts and feelings. For instance, if a cat sees a toy and gets excited, the brain-machine interface could capture the signals and relay them to the owner, allowing them to better understand their cat’s preferences and interact accordingly.
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Precision Breeding: Genetic Editing and Custom Cats
In the medium-term future (10-20 years), gene-editing technology may replace traditional breeding methods, opening up new possibilities for breeding pet cats with precisely controlled traits. On one hand, genetic editing could be used to eliminate undesirable traits in cats, particularly genetic diseases commonly found in certain breeds. For example, polycystic kidney disease is common in Persian cats, and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy has a higher incidence in Maine Coons. Through genetic editing, scientists could modify the relevant disease-causing genes in embryos, eliminating these health issues from the start.On the other hand, gene-editing could be used to enhance the traits that people love in cats. For individuals allergic to cats, particularly to the Fel d 1 protein found in their saliva (which is spread across their bodies when they groom), gene editing could create hypoallergenic cats. For fans of long-haired cats, genes responsible for fur length could be amplified, producing even longer coats. External features such as fur color and eye color could also be customized using gene-editing techniques. Furthermore, for those seeking special traits like sterilization (to avoid breeding and related societal problems), gene editing could make these changes. This would allow pet owners to focus on the companionship aspect of having a cat without the concerns of overpopulation.In the future, purchasing a kitten might become as simple as choosing an item on an online shopping site. Consumers could select from various “trait options” and customize their ideal, one-of-a-kind cat.
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Virtual and Synthetic Pets: The Rise of Artificial Companions
Returning to the idea of a “robotic cat” from The Martian Express, in the distant future (20 years from now), advancements in material science, AI, and engineering could make it possible to create synthetic cats that mimic real ones in appearance, touch, and behavior. These robotic cats would offer numerous advantages—they wouldn’t cause allergic reactions, wouldn’t need food or litter, and wouldn’t go into heat, thus sparing their owners from the inconvenience of an unneutered cat’s behavior. Powered by AI, these robots could simulate typical cat behaviors, such as cuddling, playing, and sleeping, providing an experience similar to having a real cat around.Additionally, these robots could be equipped with even more advanced features, such as assisting with daily life tasks—reminding owners of appointments or helping control home appliances—becoming a helpful companion. As for virtual pets, they aren’t new either. Many people may remember the Tamagotchi virtual pets from the 1990s, which became wildly popular. The next evolution of electronic pets could feature improved graphics, AI communication, and even more lifelike behavior. However, many people may still prefer a physical cat, as virtual pets lack the tactile experience of touching a real animal.Looking further ahead, science fiction writer Vjergo Beikerd described a unique type of pet in her Myles series: a “living” fur coat created entirely through biotechnology. It sounds a bit unsettling, but with the advancements in tissue engineering and stem cell technology, it might not be entirely impossible. Future technology could create a living, self-sustaining organism that functions like a real cat’s fur. It could remain active, allowing its owner to feel its warmth and the smoothness of its fur, giving the sensation of a real cat resting on their shoulder.
As the saying goes: “The most expensive gaming setup, without exception, is a friend.” In today’s society, people are becoming increasingly disconnected from each other, with both physical and emotional distances widening. Cats have filled a significant part of this gap. Market dynamics dictate that where there is demand, there will be supply. So, tell me—what kind of quirky, unique “cats” would you look forward to in the future?
