The interrelationship between thermal and olfactory stimulation in the development of home orientation in newborn kittens

Abstract

The presence of a thermal gradient in the home cage and its use in home orientation was studied in kittens from shortly after birth to 2 weeks. Responses on a thermal gradient outside the home cage were also studied. With the home region and a freshly washed cage floor either cooled or warmed, kittens were placed in the adjacent corner or the home. In one study kittens chose between a cooled home and a warmed diagonal region. On a thermal gradient kittens exhibited thermotaxic turning and thermokinetic response. Kittens initially used either thermal or olfactory cues to reach the home but began to use only olfactory cues towards the end of the 1st week. Similarly, warmth in the home region caused “settling” during the 1st week but thereafter warmth and olfactory cues were most effective. Kittens chose the cooled home region more often than the warmed diagonal corner responding to olfactory over thermal cues.