The distribution of paw preference in right-, Left-, And mixed pawed male and female cats: The role of a female right-shift factor in handedness

Abstract

The distribution of paw preference was studied in male and female cats. Paw preference was assessed by the food reaching test. Of the total sample (N = 109), 54 (49.5%) cats were found to be right-preferent, 44 (40.4%) left-preferent, and 11 (10.1%) ambidextrous. In females (N = 63), 34 cats (54.0%) were right-preferent, 23 (36.5%) left-preferent, and 6 (9.5%) ambidextrous. The proportion of the right-preferents was found to be significantly higher than that for the left-preferents in females as in humans. Of the male cats (N = 46), 20 (43.5%) were right-preferent, 21 (45.7%) left-preferent, and 5 (10.9%) ambidextrous. The proportion of the strongly right-preferent females (44%) was found to be significantly higher than that of the strongly right-preferent males (28%) as in humans. In the right-preferent animals, the incidence of the moderate left-paw use was found to be higher in males than females. There was no significant difference in the proportions of the strongly left-preferent males and females. It was concluded that the U-shaped distribution of paw preference in cats is largely shaped by females and a prominent left-paw use of males. The results provided evidence for a right-biased paw preference in females compared to males, indicating that females may be responsible for the emergence of cerebral lateralization and hand preference in animals and humans. It was tentatively suggested that a female right-shift factor may be required for the emergence of a right-bias in handedness. The absence of this factor would decrease the chance of being right-handed and increase the vulnerability of the developing brain to environmental influences.

Predictability of Hand Skill and Cognitive Abilities From Craniofacial Width in Right- And Left-Handed Men and Women: Relation of Skeletal Structure to Cerebral Function

“…Similar percentages for the paw preference were reported in cats (Tan, Yaprak, & Kutlu, 1990): in females, 52.4% right-pawed, 33.3% left-pawed, and 14.3% ambidextrous; in males, 41.7% right-pawed, 50.5% leftpawed, and 8.3% ambidextrous. Tan and Kutlu (1991) further reported similar results in cats: in females, 54.0% right-pawed, 36.5% left-pawed, and 9.5% ambidextrous; in males, 43.5% right-pawed, 45.7% left-pawed, and 10.9% ambidextrous. The authors have tentatively explained the origin of this distribution in pawedness by a female right-shift factor that would be required for the emergence of a right-bias in handedness; the absence of this factor would decrease the chance of being right-handed and increase the vulnerability of the developing brain to environmental influences.…”

Differences Exist in the Left and Right Sciatic Nerves of Naïve Rats and Cats

“…It is unclear at this time why the right side would have significantly larger fibers than the left. It is possible that this difference is owing to handedness as others have found a right-limb preference in female, but not male, cats (Tan and Kutlu, 1991). As our study employed four female and three male cats, it is possible that a significant difference in leg side preference across our study population existed although handedness was not tested here.…”

Handedness in Deaf and Normal Children

“…172;see however, Tan, 1987;Tan & Kutlu, 1991;Tan et al, 1990). The equal incidence of left-and right-hand, and paw preferences, in mammals may result from absence of the right ear advantage, because, in mammals, fetuses have random intrauterine positions, especially in pregnancies with more than one fetus; however, the mother's nonerect position does not lead to a differential ear sensitivity or advantage.…”