Journal of Veterinary Behavior 52–53 (2022) 21–30 Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Journal of Veterinary Behavior journal homepage: www.journalvetbehavior.com Factors associated with play behavior in human-cat dyads Julia Sophie Lyn Henning * , Torben Nielsen , Eduardo Fernandez , Susan Hazel School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia a r t i c l e i n f o Article history: Received 21 January 2022 Revised 21 March 2022 Accepted 18 May 2022 Available online 22 May 2022 Keywords: play cat behavior human-cat dyad human-animal interaction welfare a b s t r a c t Play is a common behavior, often exhibited within human-cat dyads. Play is a behavior that may have numerous benefits to both cat and human, including within the realms of social cooperation and inter- species communication. However, little is known about human-cat play and foundational information is needed. The current study aimed to investigate total daily play durations, play session lengths, and the factors associated with play times in human-cat dyads. An online survey was developed using demographic information, questions related to play times, re- sources available to the cat, “games” played with the cat, free text sections and the following validated measures: cat quality of life (QOL), the cat owner relationship scale (CORS) and the human adult playful- ness trait scale (APTS). Regression analysis was conducted using SPSS 26. Responses were completed by 1,591 cat guardians from 55 countries. Total daily play times and play session lengths were both significantly higher in human-cat dyads where the cat was younger in age, the guardian reported playing a larger diversity of “games” with the cat, and the guardian reported expe- riencing a closer relationship with their cat. Some guardians reported avoiding play during times when they were too busy or due to fears over incurring injuries. The amount of play available in human-cat dyads may have an effect on establishing and maintaining social bonds between cats and their humans. Further research into understanding play within human-cat dyads and how it affects inter-species relationships is needed. © 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Introduction Domestic cats are one of the most popular pets in the world, residing in approximately 25%-29% of homes in the UK, USA, and Australia (American Veterinary Medical Association, 2022; Animal Medicines Australia, 2019; Cats Protection, 2021). However, despite their popularity and proximity to humans, there is still much to learn about how cats and humans interact as well as how these interactions affect both human and cat wellbeing (Turner, 2021). A commonly observed interaction within human-cat relationships is play. Play is a behavior that has been shown to aid the de- velopment of social skills (Guyot et al., 1980; Vanderschuren and Trezza, 2013) and constitutes an ability to communicate and rec- ognize communication (Bekoff and Allen, 2011; Palagi et al., 2016). These 2 features of play may make it an important part of estab- * Address for reprint requests and correspondence: Julia Sophie Lyn Henning, School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, University of Adelaide, PO. Box 396, Ade- laide 5000, South Australia, Australia E-mail address: julia.henning@adelaide.edu.au (J.S.L. Henning). lishing and maintaining healthy human-cat dyad communication and relationships. Play is often considered an indicator and promotor of good wel- fare in many species, including in cats and humans (Held and Špinka, 2011; Ahloy-Dallaire et al., 2018; Yogman et al., 2018; Vojtkovská et al., 2020). This is because play is most often ob- served in times of good health, where there are ample resources, and when fitness threats (such as predators) are absent (Fagen, 1978). Play is also regarded as being fundamental to develop- ment in animal juvenile periods, especially in the development of cognitive-behavioral, emotional, and neurological/physiological skills (Vanderschuren and Trezza, 2013). Play may also be vital to maintaining these skills and functions well into and through- out adulthood (Burghardt, 2005; Vanderschuren and Trezza, 2013). In human literature, play between children and parents has been shown to improve a child’s ability to cope with stress, promote healthy child development, and is integral to creating and main- taining strong parent-child bonds (Ginsburg, 2007). It is possible that some of these benefits may be transferrable to guardian-cat relationships. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jveb.2022.05.007 1558-7878/© 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.