The Bristol University academic said the domestic cat’s propensity to hunt is probably determined by only 15 or 20 genes, meaning that, once identified, these could be edited to yield more emollient animals.

“The distaste we have towards blood and flesh and death – most people don’t like it,” he told the Cheltenham Science Festival.

“If people become more offended by cats bringing prey into their home then fewer people will want to have cats.

“Cats are such fascinating animals so that would be a pity.”

Dr Bradshaw said that despite catching and killing wildlife, such as small birds and marsupials, cats often decline to eat their prey because they prefer the taste of the cat food provided by their owner.

He argued that cats should be prevented from taking wild prey that they did not need to survive, but that the pets were also often unfairly scapegoated.