As Larry the cat welcomes yet another prime minister, an expert explains how pets adapt to change

Larry, Downing Street's feline institution, has now welcomed seven different prime ministers over the past decade. But while the nation watches departing and arriving political leaders, there's a quieter story worth following: how does a cat handle such constant upheaval? The Conversation (UK) reports on animal behavior research suggesting that cats thrive on predictability—environmental consistency is crucial for their wellbeing. The encouraging news for Larry: his day-to-day caregivers are civil servants, so his routine remains stable despite the political churn. The new prime minister does have a dog called Axel, but he's decided not to bring the animal to London because, as he's said, the two wouldn't get along. Meanwhile, Larry appears entirely unbothered—recent sightings show him strutting confidently about Downing Street, conducting his hunting expeditions with the unshakeable composure of an animal who knows he's the building's most enduring resident.

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