Over the years, the study of canine diseases has consistently outpaced that of feline ailments. Even the genomic sequencing of cats — that is, identification of the genes that cats are made of — lagged behind that of dogs by a decade. And genomics is one of the most powerful tools used in disease research.

For years, dogs have had a more powerful — and better-funded — lobby in the scientific field. Canine researchers have also contended that because dogs get some of the same diseases as humans, we can gain more by studying pooches.

But cats also suffer from diseases that afflict people. In fact, discovering the genetic cause of some of them has helped cats and humans alike.

Thanks to the decreasing costs of genomics and the grit of feline researchers, cats are finally getting the research attention they deserve. It’s about time!