Scientists have marveled at the “behavioral plasticity” of the domestic cat – that is, its ability to adapt to new environments (Reference 1). The domestic cat can live a solitary life or in structured social groups, with other cats or humans.
The ancestor and closest relative of the domestic cat is the African Wildcat, a solitary hunter, coming together to mate and raise kittens (Reference 2). About 10,000 years ago, some of these wild cats began to cluster around human settlements. Humans were leaving their hunter-gatherer existence behind, and beginning to grow crops. Stored grain attracted rodents, providing a reliable food source for wildcats who were bold enough to approach the settlements. Wildcats who could tolerate other wildcats shared the feast. Cats began to form social groups centered around these food sources.
Aided by humans, cats spread throughout the world and today, can be found on every continent except Antarctica. They have adapted to many different environments, ranging from the Subantarctic islands southeast of New Zealand to rural and urban areas worldwide (Reference 1).
the social lives of domestic cats
the solitary hunter
Unowned cats in areas like the Subantarctic Islands live much as their ancestors did. They do not depend on humans for food. The social lives of domestic cats in these areas is basically mating. The male cat may occasionally have to defend his territory (and access to female cats) from competing males. Otherwise, these cats are spread out and don’t have much to do with each other. They have individual territories – male cats have larger ranges that often encompass the smaller territories of several female cats (Reference 1).
rural living – a compromise
Rural unowned cats also live like their wild ancestors although they supplement their diet with food from humans. Typically a male has a large territory which includes the home ranges of two or three females. The social lives of domestic cats in rural areas can be solitary but sometimes closely related cats form small groups, around human dwellings, where they are fed. The core of these groups is typically a mother cat, her sisters, and/or her daughters. These females share the care of the kittens – they nurse each others’ kittens and even help each other give birth. These “barn” cats will still hunt rodents and other prey, a behavior helpful to the human landowners (Reference 1).
the urban colony
In urban environments, unowned cats form structured, stable groups of male and female cats called colonies. These cats may or may not be related. These colonies are typically organized around sites where human caretakers regularly put out food. The territory a colony occupies is defended by all members of the group. Over time, dominance hierarchies (“pecking orders”) develop among the male cats and the female cats in the colony (Reference 1).
The “pecking order” is maintained through social cues rather than aggressive interactions. When encountering a more “dominant” cat, a lower ranking cat may look away, turn its head away, or change its path to let the other cat pass. The “dominant” cat may stare at the other cat, assume a stiffer posture, and raise the base of the tail, while leaving the rest of tail low (like a “comma”) (Reference 2).
The cats in the colony live in harmony if each cat respects its place in the group. Within the colony, you will see affiliative (friendly) interactions:
- greeting (nose-nose contact with tail up)
- reciprocal rubbing
- allogrooming (cats grooming each other)
Most colony members show aggression towards unfamiliar cats. Non-members of the group are not allowed to approach and enter the group. Both males and females will band together to protect the group, particularly the kittens, against threats from other cats or animals (Reference 1).
the pet cat
The pet cat lives in a human household which provides them food and shelter. Many pet cats live exclusively indoors. Others may be allowed to come and go through a cat flap. Still others may go on leash walks or access the outdoors in protected enclosures.
Pet cats may live with humans (children and adults), cats, dogs and other species. Within the household, cats will form smaller social groups with animals or humans they prefer to associate with. They can exhibit affiliative and dominance behaviors similar to those of cats in urban colonies.
About 40% of people acquire their cat from a friend or family member. About one third of cat-owning households have adopted stray cats at least once. Less than 1/5 of cat owners get their cats from animal shelters, and only 3% of cat owners get their cats from breeders (Reference 3).
As a species, domestic cats are remarkably adaptable and can change their behavior to meet the challenges of new environments. The social lives of domestic cats can be limited to mating and defending territory in the case of solitary hunter. In areas near human homes, cats may live with other cats or in human households.
references
- Natoli, E.; Litchfield, C.; Pontier, D. Coexistence between Humans and ‘Misunderstood’ Domestic Cats in the A nthropocene: Exploring Behavioural Plasticity as a Gatekeeper of Evolution. Animals 2022, 12, 1717. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12131717
- African Wildcat. International Society of Endangered Cats (ISEC) Canada. Updated 2018 (https://wildcatconservation.org/wild-cats/africa/african-wildcat/) Viewed 12/2024.
- Sources of Cats in U.S. Households. © 2024 Alley Cat Allies. All rights reserved. Alley Cat Allies is a 501(c)3 organization. https://www.alleycat.org/resources/sources-of-cats-in-u-s-households/ Viewed 12/2024.
Touch is important for many species. It is often part of a social interaction, cementing bonds between the members of a group. Primates (chimps, baboons,…) groom each other; dogs groom each other, birds preen each other as part of courtship or bonding. Domestic cats also groom and rub against each other in greeting.
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