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CatCog: Cat Science & Psychology

Adam Gill

CatCog is the podcast for people who don’t just love their cats—they want to understand them.

Hosted by Adam, a psychologist who treats feline behavior with the seriousness it deserves, we decode the "why" behind the meow. We skip the fluff and generic tips to dig into the actual science: How does their vision work? Why do they really zoom at 3 AM? And how can we use biology to give them a longer, happier life?

Join Adam and his cat, Moon, as they translate complex research into a user’s manual for your favorite predator.

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20 episodes
Avg 12 min
English

Episodes 20

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S1 · E35
January 26 · 6 min
Why Cat Drooling Is NOT Like Dog Drooling
Your cat's drool carries a completely different message than your neighbor's slobbery golden retriever. Here's how to decode what your cat's saliva is really telling you. In this episode, we break down the biology of cat drooling - and why it's...
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S1 · E34
January 16 · 6 min
When Do Kittens Actually See You?
The first time your kitten opens their eyes, they can't actually see you. For the next few weeks, you're nothing but a warm blur - a presence, a feeling. But somewhere around week four, everything changes. You finally come into focus. In this...
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S1 · E33
January 2 · 8 min
Ozempic for Cats Is Here (But You Can't Buy It Yet)
Why is your cat ALWAYS hungry? It's not greed - it's biology. Scientists just started the MEOW-1 clinical trial for OKV-119, an implant that could end feline obesity. But you don't have to wait. In this video, I explain the evolutionary reason your...
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S1 · E32
Oct 29, 2025 · 10 min
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs for Cats (The Ultimate Care Guide)
Most behavioral issues (like scratching or aggression) stem from unmet psychological needs. In this episode, we adapt Maslow's Hierarchy for felines, identifying the missing layers in your cat's life—specifically Self-Esteem (Territorial Control) and...
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S1 · E27
Oct 29, 2025 · 6 min
Why Does My Cat Stare at Nothing? (The Science of "Greebles")
When a cat stares at a blank wall, they aren't seeing ghosts—they are detecting stimuli invisible to the human senses. In this episode, we explain Biological Hypersensitivity, detailing how cats can perceive Ultraviolet (UV) light patterns and hear...
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S1 · E31
Oct 11, 2025 · 14 min
Cat Sounds Translated: What Does My Cat Mean? (Meow, Purr, Trill)
Cats evolved the Meow specifically to communicate with humans, as adult cats rarely use it with each other. In this episode, we decode the 7 primary vocalizations, explaining the biological function of the Purr (which vibrates at 25-150Hz to promote...
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S1 · E30
Sep 21, 2025 · 14 min
Cat Coat Colors & Patterns Explained (Genetics Guide)
Did you know that all cat colors come from just two base pigments: Eumelanin (Black) and Pheomelanin (Red)? In this episode, we decode the genetics behind every coat pattern, explaining how modifier genes like "Dilute" turn Black into Blue (Grey) and...
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S1 · E28
Sep 13, 2025 · 5 min
Why Are Cats Afraid of Cucumbers? (The "Snake" Instinct)
The "Cats vs. Cucumbers" viral trend works because of the Startle Reflex. In this episode, we explain that to a cat's peripheral vision, a green, elongated object placed silently behind them mimics a Snake—their evolutionary predator. We cover: -...
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S1 · E29
Sep 8, 2025 · 5 min
Thigmotaxis: The Real Reason Cats Love Boxes
Cats are drawn to boxes due to Thigmotaxis—an evolutionary instinct to seek physical contact with enclosed spaces for protection. In this episode, we break down a landmark study by the University of Utrecht, which proved that providing hiding boxes to...
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S1 · E26
Aug 23, 2025 · 4 min
Why Do Cats Loaf? (The Science of Tucked Paws)
The "Cat Loaf" position serves two specific biological functions: Thermoregulation (conserving body heat by reducing surface area) and Relaxed Readiness. In this episode, we explain why this pose is usually a sign of contentment but can sometimes...
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S1 · E25
Jul 23, 2025 · 8 min
Cat Life Stages Explained: Kitten to Senior (Timeline)
A cat's life cycle is divided into 6 distinct biological stages, each with its own nutritional and behavioral needs. In this episode, we map the timeline from Kitten (Growth) to Geriatric (15+), explaining the critical "Socialization Window" (2-7...
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S1 · E24
May 27, 2025 · 8 min
Walter Chandoha: The Man Who Invented Cat Photography
Before the internet had "Cat Memes," the world had Walter Chandoha. With a career spanning 70 years and an archive of over 90,000 images, Chandoha established the visual language of the modern cat portrait—using backlighting and eye-level angles to...
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S1 · E23
May 4, 2025 · 1 hr 53 min
Cat Psychology Explained: Dr. Jon Bowen (Royal Veterinary College)
Cat psychology differs from dog psychology because cats are "self-domesticated" solitary hunters. In this special episode featuring a lecture from Dr. Jon Bowen (Royal Veterinary College), we explain that feline behavior—like scent marking and...
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S1 · E22
Apr 11, 2025 · 7 min
Operation Acoustic Kitty: The CIA's $20 Million Mistake
"Operation Acoustic Kitty" was a classified CIA project in the 1960s designed to use domestic cats as mobile surveillance devices. In this episode, we audit the Directorate of Science & Technology's attempt to surgically implant microphones into a...
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S1 · E21
Mar 12, 2025 · 5 min
Why Does My Cat Eat My Hair? (Pica vs. Grooming)
When a cat licks your hair, they are usually engaging in Allogrooming—a social bonding ritual that treats you as part of their colony. However, if they chew or swallow it, it could be a sign of Pica, a compulsive disorder linked to nutritional...
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S1 · E20
Feb 3, 2025 · 6 min
Félicette: The True Story of the First Cat in Space
Félicette is the first and only cat to survive a suborbital spaceflight. Launched by the French space program (CNES) on October 18, 1963, she reached an altitude of 157 km aboard a Véronique AG1 rocket. This episode documents her selection from 14...
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S1 · E19
Jan 18, 2025 · 2 min
Why Do Cats Sleep More When It Rains? (The Science)
The "Rainy Day Effect" in cats is driven by three biological factors: Evolutionary Efficiency (hunting in wet fur is calorie-negative), Circadian Rhythms (low light triggers Melatonin), and Barometric Pressure. In this episode, we explain why your cat...
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S1 · E18
Jan 18, 2025 · 6 min
How We "Broke" Cats: The Truth About Extreme Breeding
"Extreme breeding" prioritizes aesthetic traits—like the short legs of Munchkins or the hairlessness of XL Bullies—over biological function. In this episode, we audit the genetic defects caused by these "designer" choices, specifically...
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S1 · E17
Jan 18, 2025 · 6 min
Why Does My Cat Stare at Me? (It's Not Dominance)
When a cat stares at you, they are engaging in Social Monitoring. Contrary to the myth of "dominance," this behavior is usually a sign of Secure Attachment (checking in on their caregiver) or Territorial Patrol (tracking movement in their...
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S1 · E16
Jan 18, 2025 · 7 min
Do Full Moons Make Cats Crazy? (The "Lunar Effect" Myth)
Veterinary studies of over 12,000 emergency cases show zero statistical link between full moons and feline trauma, debunking the "Lunar Effect." However, owners aren't imagining things. In this episode, we explain how Circadian Rhythms and increased...
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