One in three U.S. households has a pet cat, yet many feline conditions are less defined than those of their canine cousins. A big reason is that cats have been understudied for years.

But now, veterinarians are investing in making their clinics more cat-friendly. Some veterinary schools are also ramping up classes on feline health, and more researchers are studying environmental and genetic causes of feline disease.

Recently, an initiative called Darwin’s Cats was introduced for the long-term study of cats. Pet parents who enroll their cats for DNA testing also answer detailed surveys about their cats’ health and home routines. Researchers hope the information may highlight links between feline genetics and their health and behavior.