Collaborative Academic Project
Initiated in Mar 2024 and Refined in May 2025
Teammate: Jiaai Shen, Ziqian Liao

1. Introduction

This study investigates the feasibility of utilizing domestic cat vocalizations to classify their emotional states. A significant challenge in pet ownership lies in accurately interpreting the needs and affective conditions of animals, a task that proves particularly complex in feline species due to the high variability in their acoustic expressions. Individual cats may employ distinct vocal signals to convey analogous meanings, introducing ambiguity in human-animal communication. Given the nuanced and often context-dependent nature of feline vocalizations, this research explores the application of artificial intelligence to enhance human understanding of cat emotions, thereby facilitating improved care and welfare.