Are cats really solitary creatures?
Cats have a reputation as aloof creatures who keep to themselves. Unfortunately, this common misconception harms our feline friends’ well-being.
Felines are social animals, but how they interact differs from that of dogs. And it’s this difference that’s at the heart of our misunderstanding.
It’s relative
When it comes to social interaction with humans, dogs have a 20,000-year head start on cats. What’s more, dogs are natural pack animals who cooperate when they hunt.
While cats can and do live in colonies, they hunt alone. And unlike dogs, their ability to eat doesn’t depend on an ability to work with other cats towards a common goal.
Nevertheless, there’s plenty of evidence that shows our feline friends do value social interaction…
House cats have the ability to form strong social bonds with their human caregivers and often seek companionship, attention, and physical contact from their owners.
A cat may rub against their owner, purr, and knead, These are signs of affection and social connection.
They often enjoy being in the presence of their humans and can become distressed or anxious when separated for extended periods.
While cats aren’t natural pack animals like dogs, they can establish social relationships with other cats.
Cats living in the same household or community may engage in various social behaviors such as grooming each other, playing together, and engaging in mutual nose-touching or rubbing against each other.
These interactions serve to establish and maintain social bonds within the group.
Cats use complex communication methods to convey their social intentions and maintain social order.
They communicate through vocalizations, body postures, facial expressions, and scent marking.
They rub their faces against objects and scratch to communicate territorial boundaries and establish a social presence. This helps a cat maintain relationships within their social environment
Each cat is unique
It’s important to note that each cat has its own personality.
As with humans, some cats are very social, while others value their independence. Allow your cat to establish the level of relationship it feels comfortable with.
Don’t try to force your cat to sit on your lap or nizzle your face if it doesn’t want to. It’s always best to wait for your cat to come to you and let you know what it wants.
