Spotted Domestic Cats

Animal Behaviour and Welfare: Cats

Chapter 3 of Dr Clive Dalton's Animal Behaviour and Welfare series covers cats - farm cats, domestic cats and feral cats. It covers topics of interest to cat owners from problem spraying behaviour, to kittens, body language and breeding. Readers should also review Chapter 1 in the series for an overview of the Basic Principles of Animal Behaviour and Welfare (see the link in the introduction to the article).

Early cat domestication

• They fitted easily into the human family hierarchy.
• They then developed religious significance in human society.
• Cats are very reward-seeking which always appealed to humans as well as their aloofness.
• Pest control was also a major reason for people keeping cats.

Modern cats

• There's a vast range of breeds and there are breeders increasing new genetic types all the time as there is big money in being the exclusive owner of a new type of cat.
• We refer to "domesticated cats" or those that live in close association with man.
• Then there are "farm cats" that are domesticated but not keen on close human contact.
• "Feral cats" are those that have escaped from domestication and are fearful of human contact.

Social structure

• Cats are "reward-seeking" animals and this helps in developing a social hierarchy.
• Cats generally have a loose hierarchy - not as structured as dogs.
• They time share areas in their territory.
• Generally entire males are most dominant, followed by entire females, then spayed females and neutered males.
• Most wild cats live solitary lives, but they can also live happily as part of a group.
• Most domestic cats do the same but they have bonded owners to live with.
• The "mother-kitten" relationship is the basis of group development. The female kittens stay on with mum while the males leave to set up territories and go solitary.
• Some males are happy to stay in a single family group or they may move between groups.
• A social group of females allows for synchrony of oestrus and mutual care including cross suckling of kittens.
• Social structure becomes more defined and competitive when food is scarce, or where there is a limited amount of shelter.
• Remember there is a lot of individual variation between cats due to genetics and early environment.

Cats and territory

• Cats are territorial predators which has important implications for humans.
• They have a home range that they routinely check out daily to hunt and explore.
• Home ranges of cats can overlap resulting in conflict and savage fights.
• Tom cats have large territories that can cover around 1 km in all directions for their den (home). But this depends on other Toms in the area and where there are few, a Tom may extend his territory to much greater size.
• Male cats know when they are not welcome in a strange area - note their stealth when they visit your property during a mating season.
• In their home range they have all they need - food source, shelter, social contact, urination and defaecation areas.
• They scent mark their range by clawing objects and spray urinating, and will protect it against intruders.
• Once established - this marking routine may provide an expression of security (marking in the house).
• Spraying. Urine contains glandular secretions so spraying is like leaving their CV around. It denoted gender, age, hormonal state and general health.
• Middening. Cats normally bury their faeces but they sometimes deliberately leave them on the surface to add scent to their territory, especially if they sense a challenge.
• Clawing. This is used as a visual sign but also leaves odours from the glands from the pedal (foot) glands.
• Nose rubbing. Cats rub their cheeks on twigs (and their owners) to leave odours from their cheek glands.
• Hunting the territory occurs mainly at dawn and dusk - they tend to be active only in short bursts. Cats are incapable of sustained effort.
• Cats are excellent climbers, and can handle falling in emergencies. They can swim when forced to, but it's not a preferred mode of transport.
• Territory becomes a problem in cages but cats can survive together, even including Toms. But it needs skilled observation.
• They can act in an "indifferent" mode to each other, as long as they have enough personal space above ground. The floor is used on a time-share basis.

Cats' senses

Vision

• Kittens are born nearly blind and their eyes open at 7-10 days old (range from 2-16 days).
• So touch and physical contact are very important to cats. This has big implications for humans and is widely exploited to the benefit of both cat and owner.
• Cats can see colour but with limited perception. They have better colour vision than dogs.
• Cats are creatures of the night and see well in poor light due to the structure of the eye. They can dilate their large pupils.
• Each eye has 150-205 degrees peripheral vision, with 90-130 degrees overlap for binocular vision. So they have a total visual field of 250-280 degrees.
• Cats cannot focus closer than 75mm - but at that close distance when hunting they use other senses. Their best vision is around 2-6m

Hearing

• Kittens are born with poor hearing and start to become normal by 3 weeks.
• Cat hears sounds up to 50-85kHz - human upper limit is 18-20 kHz. So they hear about four times better than humans and in the ultrasonic range that we cannot hear.
• Cats can also hear higher sounds than dogs.
• Their hearing range is very wide - over 10.5 octaves.
• Cats have mobile ears allowing rapid response to locate the source of the sound.
• They can interpret different wave patterns hitting each ear.
• The ear structure is a important in aiding balance when falling

Smell

• Cats have a very well developed olfactory system - 1000 times better than humans.
• Smell is very important in communication.
• Cats recognise the general smell of their home environment and are sensitive to any small changes.
• It's important to get the cat used to anything new in the environment as soon as possible - e.g. a new cat or baby.
• Cats have a Vomeronasal organ (VNO) on the hard palate which they can use to sense chemicals in aromas. They then show a Flehmen response, baring their teeth and giving a quiet hissing sound - called the "gape response" like the Flehmen in large animals. You see it when they sniff catnip.
• Smell governs what a cat will eat so they should avoid blocked noses.
• A cat's sense of smell is much more developed than in humans.
• They can detect small changes in food and you see this if you change a brand of cat meat. They will almost starve before they'll eat the new brand.
• Newborn kittens have an acute sense of smell to help them locate teats

Taste

• Cats show little response to sweet things but can detect salt, sour and bitter.
• They are very sensitive to the taste of water which explain their bizarre behaviour of sometimes drinking from muddy pools and fish tanks.
• Taste is less important than smell - smell is everything to a cat.
• Cats don't taste when hunting prey, only when sink their teeth in after capture.

Touch (Kinaesthetics)

• The cat's whole body is very sensitive to touch.
• The long outer guard hairs of the coat are especially sensitive.
• Hair movement provides information for the cat in its environment, e.g. wind direction to approach prey.
• Receptors also are concentrated in the feet pads.
• Cats are not very sensitive to heat - can stand up to 52C, e.g. lying beside fire.
• They can detect changes of 0.5C via their noses which they use in hunting.
• Cats have very mobile whiskers used for sensing. Whiskers are forward when walking or hunting and back when greeting or sniffing.

Memory and learning

• Cats can show some ability to reason and work things out - but it is limited, so make sure you have not been anthropomorphic in drawing conclusions.
• The can understand cause and effect - if the interval between each is short.
• The have a fair degree of memory retention if reinforced by repeated attempts.
• Examples are cats that learn to jump up and turn door knobs or work cat doors.
• Cats can learn from copying other cats. Kittens learn a wide range of behaviours from their mother, or mothers reinforce inherent behaviours.
• More people are now training cats to do tricks, apart from the basic needs of house training, and stopping them scratching furniture.

Communication - sound

• Cats being very social animals have a well developed communication skills.
• They have learned to vocalise a special range of sounds for humans - cats don't mew to other cats.
• Sixteen different sounds have been recognised that are audible to humans. There are also many which are not audible to us.

• Pure calls
  
• Murmur
• Growl
• Squeak
• Hiss
• Spit
• Teeth chatter
• Complex calls
  
• Mew
• Moan
• Meow

• There is also a wide range of tones and meanings - most common are growl/hiss/yowl.
• Purring is most commonly known to humans as the sign of a happy cat and is a very typical greeting call. It was a long time before researchers found how the cat did it.
• It's caused by rapid contraction of muscles in the larynx when the cat is contented or happy. A cat can sometimes purr when stressed. Purring is used when a mother nurses kittens as a contentment reassuring sound.
• The meow has a wide range of tones and it's often easy for owners to interpret some of these sounds.
• Oestrus howling has an important courting function, not appreciated by humans or their neighbours during the night!

Communication - body language

• Cats use a large amount of non-verbal communication such as:
• Body postures
• Facial expressions
• Eyes, ears, mouth, tail and coat.

• They have developed a range of body signals for humans and other cats.
• "Friendly and relaxed" - the tail is held out behind or erect and curled slightly forward. The cat will rub itself against things and rub its muzzle on you to transfer scent.
• "Passive" - it sits crouched, tail and head down and avoids direct gaze.
• "In conflict" - the entire tail twitches or just the end. It is done in association with other signs.
• "Offensive threat" - the cat gives you a direct stare and its body is poised for attack. The cat approaches an enemy with sideways motion and prancing steps. This makes the cat look bigger to the enemy.
• "Defensive threat" - the back is arched, body fur fluffed up and tail up straight. The chin is drawn in to protect the throat. One paw is raised ready to lash out.
• With the eyes, narrow eyes show friendship with the stare being a definite threat.
• When the cat turns away from you it can be a sign of disdain or that the relationship in from the cat's viewpoint is OK. If a cat jumps up on you this is also a sign that the cat does not see you as a threat.

Communication - pheromones

• These are very important in cat communication
• They are spread around in urine marks, faeces, scratch marks from feet and cheek glands.
• They make these marks where they are easy for other cats to find.
• The higher they scratch the more powerful impression they leave.

Balance and activity

• In the first couple of weeks after birth kittens crawl with sideways movements of the head like pups seeking warmth and teats.
• It is 7 weeks before they can thermoregulate (control their heat) themselves as they need Mum's heat up to then.
• By week 2 they can raise their front end.
• By day 17 they can stand and do an awkward walk.
• By 6 weeks they can right themselves if they fall over.
• Cats show this amazing "righting reflex" when falling as they land on their feet. This is a function of the inner ear, a large cerebellum and the spinal cord.
• Kittens are notoriously active and need to be encouraged to play in their socialisation and development.
• Mature cats reduce activity and spend more than 65% sleeping.
• Tom cats during the mating season are very active traveling long distances checking out their territory.

Play

• Play is an essential part of normal behaviour in the cat.
• It starts early as soon as kittens are mobile when they spend long periods interacting.
• Play teaches the kitten all the movements needed to survive and reproduce as an adult.
• Kittens reared in a litter are usually better-adjusted adults than single-reared kittens who only have their parents to play with.
• As an individual in a litter, there's a much great chance to learn to prepare and defend yourself against surprise attack, than as a singleton.
• A wide range of play moves have been identified:
• Scoop, Toss, Grasp, Poke-Bat, Bite-Mouth, Belly up, Stand up, Vertical stand, Pounce, Chase, Side step, Horizontal leap, Face off

Grooming

• This is a big feature of cats and occupies 30-50% of a cat's waking time.
• It also creates problems - fur ball.
• Purpose of grooming:
• Maintains health of the skin and coat
• Cools the body by evaporation of saliva.
• Controls parasites.

• "Displacement grooming" is a response to conflict, environmental stress or frustration. It's thought to be a response to reduce anxiety.
• "Mutual grooming" is used for social interaction and to show a relaxed state with other cats. Developed from maternal grooming.
• "Over grooming" - a problem sometimes started by itchy skin. It can develop into a serious obsession where cats become "closet lickers" and are hard to catch at it and stop.

Socialisation

• Kittens must be socialised early at between 2-6 weeks. This is a much shorter time span than in dogs.
• If they can be handled before their eyes are open, that's all the better.
• If kittens are not socialised before weaning (6weeks) then you'll have problems and it will take time to tame them.
• Kitten Kindy. This is a new approach by veterinarians to teach people how to socialise their kittens.
• At 2-9 weeks provide human contact and handling
• As often as possible before 12 weeks handle kittens and routinely restrain them.
• 7-12 weeks - provide social play.
• After 14 weeks teach them fearful play, and learn to play fight.
• Be careful with this "play fight" activity as it can teach them to be over aggressive.
• Check the "Scruff test" where you hold the kitten by the scruff of its neck. If they allow this and don't fight of struggle, then they are probably OK.

Nutrition and feeding

• Cats are mainly carnivores, but modern cat foods contain some cereals to provide carbohydrates.
• Cats eat both day and night whereas dogs only feed during the day.
• They are very fussy about what they eat due to their acute sense of smell, and once settled on a brand of cat food they often don't appreciate changes.
• In the wild they would probably eat every second day after a hunt.
• The principles of nutrition are simple - the cat's nutrient intake should meet its needs. So growing, pregnant and lactating cats will need a much higher plane of nutrition than the family cat that sleeps most of the time.
• Overfeeding leads to obesity and health problems.
• The modern domestic cat is regularly overfed. Owners who go out to work leave an ad lib feeder full of biscuits, or tinned meat in a dish far in excess of what the cat needs. Unless owners see feed left, they think the cat will be hungry and hence starve!
• Owners need to discuss feeding their cat with a veterinarian so that it receives a correctly balanced diet which meets its needs - not its wants.

Reproduction

• Cats are seasonal breeders and the start of oestrus is stimulated by increasing daylight. They need 12-14 hours of light to get going.
• So the breeding season gets into full swing in spring.
• Toms also are seasonally active but stud Toms will mate any time. Their maximum fertility is in spring.
• Puberty is around 9 months but some breeds will start at 4 months.
• Cats can be desexed at 6 months old.
• Non pregnant females cycle every18-24 days.
• Heat periods last 4 hours if mated and 5-10 days if not.
• Ovulation is induced by copulation and it happens 27 hours after copulation.
• If they don't conceive after mating they will often have a pseudo pregnancy and won't start cycling again for 36 days.
• Cats have litters usually averaging around 4-5 kittens.
• Kittens are born blind and with very poor hearing like pups.
• Eyes open around 2-3 weeks.
• The cat mating ritual is very defined with mock fighting, body contact, and rapid and repeated coitus. It's a very noisy affair that can go on all day.

Desexing (neutering)

• Castration of males and spaying females prevents reproduction and all the associated behaviours.
• Spraying and fighting may still continue, but this may be brought about by special environmental factors. It may be done away from home range.
• The timing of desexing is important - get it done early before 6 months?
• It is claimed that no other cat behaviours are affected.

Cat-human relationships

• Strength of the bond depends on good early socialisation of the cat by a human.
• This is then transferable to a new human with time.
• A cat may be more bonded to the home and its smells rather than the person - hence the problem of cats going back to an old home. The cat needs time to readjust to new environmental smells so keep it shut in for at least a week.
• Cats will go for walks with owners and hunt. This is easier in rural areas.
• Owners soon learn to interpret certain calls and cat seems to know this.
• It is said that there is a stronger interaction between female humans than males with a cat.
• It is also said that there is stronger interaction between a cat and an adult than with children.
• These interactions are probably just based on food and who in the family feeds the cat regularly.
• Cat's actions seen in their interaction with humans:
• Head butting
• Rubbing cheeks on person
• Kneading or paddling with feet and claws
• Purring
• Snuggling under armpit
• Liking their noses and eyes covered by your cupped handIf there are a number of cats in the house they need vertical space for a good human/cat relationship and will time-share these areas to avoid conflict..

Cat Behaviour Problems

Poor human-cat bond

• A strong bond is very important to both human and cat partners.
• The bond is formed by good early socialisation and needs constant reinforcing.
• Death, divorce and moving house are the three greatest bond breakers.
• Surveys show that 50% of humans suffer stress on moving and 50% of cats must do also.
• Most upset is resolved in 1-2 weeks but some lasts for 3-4 months.
• Many people have unrealistic expectations of their cat and they have probably have the wrong species as a pet.

• Possible cures/prevention
• Socialise all kittens before they are 2-6 weeks old.
• Keep reinforcing the bond by regular interaction with the cat.

Poor Cat socialisation.

• "Nasty cats" (wild, unfriendly and unreliable) for whatever reason have probably not been properly socialised to humans.Always start here to work out a cat behaviour problem.
• What happens in the early weeks can have a lifelong effect.
• You can fix some problems later, but it will take you time and it will cost the client money.
• Some humans are better at taming wild cats than others showing a greater empathy and skill.
• You may have to face the choice between cost of socialising and euthanasia.

• Possible cures/prevention
• Socialise all kittens before they are 2-6 weeks old.
• Keep reinforcing the bond by regular interaction with the cat.

Infanticide

• This is seen in lions when new males oust old ones and they kill all the cubs to bring females on heat quickly and remove all previous males' genetics at the same time.
• It is known to happen in domestic cats and feral cats where Toms will kill young kittens on their rounds if not protected by the mother or owner.
• Preventing this is a good reason for desexing non-breeding males, and trapping and euthanasing all stray Toms.
• Possible cures/prevention
• Desex all males not needed for breeding.
• Try to trap and euthanase all stray and feral Toms.

Cat Spraying Problems

• Cats spray to mark their territory, their home range and any new area.
• Once they feel safe, they don't spray.
• They are very sensitive to a "general safe smell" of their environment
• It's when their lair is under threat that they may start again.
• It happens in both sexed or desexed cats.
• Possible reasons:
• New adult cat or kitten in the house.
• Change of status in group.
• Visiting Tom cats staking out territory (doormats and car wheels).
• New baby in the house.
• Neighbour's new cats.
• Bereavement in the house - cat's neglected.
• Redecorate and new smells.
• Plastic bags from outside with alien smells brought indoors.
• Doormat with new footwear smells.
• Installation of cat door - outside becomes inside.
• Visitors car (with open windows).
• Protest spraying - to inform owner cat is unhappy.
• Genetics - oriental breeds.

• Possible cures/prevention
• Find the cause of the anxiety - try to remove it
• 'Reset' the cat's insecurity by moving it to a cat-free home in a quiet environment for a week or so, then re-introduce it to your home again.
  
• Don't punish the cat - or don't be caught (water pistol)
• Confine cat to safe home area - and slowly expand it
• Feed it near where it sprays
• If "protest spray" - rebuild the bond with the cat
• Drugs from vet

Defaecating

• Cats normally bury their faeces. When they don't it's generally deliberate and is called "maddening".
• It's another way for cats to mark territory.
• It happens when cats are in panic mode - e.g. if locked in the house or may do it on the bed when owners are on holiday.
• Kittens that have been poorly trained by the mother in the nest may develop the habit.
• Punishment is not very effective and it must be instantaneous and from afar, so the cat doesn't associate it with you.
• Possible cures/prevention
• Find the cause of the problem and remove it.
• Never rub the cat's nose in the mess. It achieves nothing.
• Build up animal's self esteem.
• Go back to principles of toilet training
• Feed the cat where it has defaecated

Kitten Toilet training

• Kittens are taught by their mothers not to soil their den, so use this principle.
• Take the kitten outside on to soil or litter after feeding to encourage elimination.
• Put newspaper down where you feed the kitten and gradually extend this "feeding territory" so it will not eliminate there.
• Shut off areas where it has started soiling and confine it to approved areas.
• Feed the cat where it has eliminated.
• Never rub its nose in the mess.

Scratching furniture

• This is partly claw care and has a trimming action.
• It's also scent marking from glands in paws.
• Used to mark territory.
• Done as a dominance gesture, often in presence of other cats.
• Cats get cunning and will do it on the beds to avoid reprimand.
• Possible cures/prevention
• Always be on the watch.
• Keep cats out when you are out.
• Provide a scratching post in house.
• Put it in front of the damaged object.
• Use a reprimand. It must be instant and from a distance (eg water pistol).
• Some smell deterrents may work.

Attacking other cats

• Can vary from the occasional scrap between cats in a household, to serious attacks on all cats on sight - indoors or outdoors.
• This is a natural way to sort out hierarchy and territory.
• May be caused by poor social contact between cats when young
• Possible cures/prevention
• Keep aggressive cats inside at night.(This will also benefit wildlife).
• Reintroduce new cats into group gradually in protected cage.
• Distraction - bring new cats together at feeding time
• Neuter all Toms.
• Your vet may recommend hormone treatment for the aggressor.
• Euthanasia may be a final option.

Attacking people

• This is usually "play aggression" that gets out of hand.
• "Defensive aggression" is caused by poor socialisation
• It may be encouraged by some family members and then others suffer.
• It may be "fear aggression" so ignore the cat and allow it escape routes.
• Possible cures/prevention
• Know the cat's likes and dislikes - and warn guests
• Provide toys and encourage the cat to play with them.
• Provide another cat or kitten for it to play with.
• Ignore the cat and don't play with it. Tell others of the plan.
• Experiment with changing diets
• Don't provide catnip.

Petting and biting syndrome

• It's where the cat allows so many strokes then gives a controlled bite or nip.
• Three strokes then a bite or not allowing certain body parts to be touched.
• It is often tolerated by the owner so is not cured.
• May get worse with age - could be physical problems.
• Certain parts of the body are more sensitive than others - the back end.
• It often happens in older cats and gets worse with age.
• Some cats will tolerate adults but not children stroking them.
• Can't do much. Leave the cat alone and warn others, especially children.

• Possible cures/prevention
• Recognise the habit and avoid triggering it.
• Warn guests or remove cat when they arrive.
• Hitting the cat immediately at the time of action may help
• But it may make the cat more cunning when biting.
• Talk to vet about drugs
• Euthanasia

Over-grooming and self mutilation

• Cats regularly groom their flanks or backs when they are confused, or when upset after a threat
• It seems a displacement behaviour resulting from anxiety or stress.
• It can get out of hand and is difficult to stop.
• Possible cures/prevention
• Check for any problems of the skin
• Protect the affected skin area - cat will probably shift attention to another.
• Check for diet allergies
• Find the cause of the distress and remove it.
• Provide toys for stimulation
• Reduce the number of cats in the house
• Don't punish the cat for other offences - fix those problems first
• Treat with drugs for anxiety
• There may be no cure if it becomes serious - euthanasia.

Hair ball

• This is a problem of long-haired breeds that are not regularly groomed.
• Make sure grooming is adequate and the animal is kept clean.
• Eating grass and being sick
• This is a very common feature of cats.
• It's not a problem until they come into the house from the garden to be sick.
• Thought to be a means of assisting digestion.

Pica

• This is the eating or sucking of a wide range of non-nutritional items and can cause health problems.
• Sucking and kneading wool items is most common.
• It's thought to be need for dietary fibre, a depraved maternal behaviour snuggling up to dam's belly or natural trait of prey catching/eating.
• It often occurs in cats weaned too young.
• Severe stress can trigger it.
• Poor early socialisation is a likely cause.
• Some breeds are worse than others, eg Siamese.
• Possible cures/prevention
• Provide toys to increase stimulation
• Check diet for fibre
• Try aversion tactics - water pistol, or noise
• Provide favourite fabrics to save others
• Euthanasia

Eating plants

• Thought to be a nutritional deficiency
• Possible cures/prevention
• Remove the problem materials from cat's environment.
• Try different diets

Stealing

• Cats have an inquisitive nature so this habit can be a self gratifying experience.
• It can be part of pica syndrome - stealing favourite items to eat.
• It's part of the behaviour of bringing kill back to the den for the tribe.
• Possible cures/prevention
• There is little point in chasing it to get it back - you add to the fun.
• Try to remove the opportunity for the cat to steal things.
• Completely ignore it when it brings items home

Cats in modern society - the 5th freedom

• Changes are coming in man's relationship with the domestic cat in New Zealand.
• We have a love/hate relationship with cats as we do with dogs, but cats are inherent hunters and it's now being realised the effect their hunting as on our endangered native wildlife - as it has done in Australia.
• The average age of a cat in modern society is 3.5 years. Euthanasia is the main cause of death. Thousands of kittens are euthanased each year.
• Just about every family in NZ has a pet dog or cat and many have both. Cats are more popular than dogs and are easier to get and dispose of (legally or illegally).
• Hundreds of thousands of cats are euthanased each year and Christmas is the peak time for this being the peak kitten season.
• The SPCA struggle to get the message across about desexing and "pets are not just for Christmas".
• There are now plenty of data now to show how much wildlife the average domestic "moggy" cleans up in a year. It is in the region of 20 birds/year.
• DOC in New Zealand are having a big campaign against the cat.
• Some people are very upset about this, blaming owners for irresponsible cat care.
• There is no welfare code for cats but this will be done sometime.
• Australia has brought in draconian rules against cats in some areas like Sydney and Melbourne where they must now be confined. People now have their gardens caged in and clever little cat territories and pathways in their gardens or apartment balconies if they cannot net the whole area.
• "Keep your cat inside at night" will have to be the catch cry for future.
• New Zealand will have to face this in future as public concern and sympathy changes towards our native fauna - the impact of TV is massive. There are changes ahead for the Kiwi moggy with cat-free areas being accepted.
• Desexing feral cats releasing them back into the environment is a crazy idea.

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