The domestic cat retains many of the biological characteristics of its wild ancestors, and much of its modus vivendi. As such, cats are strongly attached to their territory, living alone and as a hunter of small prey. In this article, we’re exploring these key characteristics of cats, both as a hunter and prey.
The domestic cat originates from an ancestor that still exists today, the African wild cat (Felis silvestris lybica). Interestingly, there are a number of characteristics common to the wild cat that define the behaviour of today's cats, too. While there are naturally nuances due to the domestication process, it’s worth exploring these common characteristics further and how they influence how our modern cats behave:
We can consider the domestic cat predominantly as a hunting animal. In many cases, cats survive by feeding on the prey they hunt themselves. In fact, the wild cat originally began to approach human settlements because of the high presence of rodents around the food stores that man accumulated. Thus, by allowing cats to perform this "raticidal" function, man began to provide cats with natural food.
Historically, however, cats have also played the role of prey for larger predatory carnivores such as wild canids or, more recently, stray dogs. This implies that cats must not only remain vigilant to find prey, but also to protect themselves from being hunted.
From this fact, it is easy to understand that cats are a species particularly sensitive to potentially threatening stimuli—they are easily frightened animals—and that their main survival strategy is to flee and/or hide. Therefore, to feel safe in their territory, it’s important that cats are able to control and recognise the stimuli in their territory. Equally, they need to have numerous and effective hiding places, such as elevated shelters, where larger and less agile predators will find it difficult to reach.
When they live with us, it is important that we consider the nature of cats as a species. We need to respect their needs, not only physiologically but also behaviourally. In this sense, respecting the conditions derived from the dual ancestral role of domestic cats—as both hunter and prey—is fundamental for ensuring a healthy and peaceful coexistence.
As we have discussed, hunting or predation is one of the main activities that naturally occupies most of a cat's daily time. When a cat is living indoors with us, even if they have food without having to hunt, they will still need to devote a large part of their daily time to searching and predatory activities.
When we feed our cats by placing food in their bowls, we are drastically reducing the time spent foraging and eating. This also reduces their physical activity and mental stimulation, which they would otherwise receive from hunting, and consequently increases the risk of obesity and other medical conditions.
With this in mind, it is essential that we adapt the home environment to the conditions that cats would have in a natural environment, providing opportunities for hunting and foraging. This can be achieved through refillable food devices or toys that allow cats to spend time finding and obtaining food. This can also be done through play or the use of toys that encourage predation, such as toys that simulate the movement of prey. These alternative activities to hunting allow domestic cats to feel more stimulated and, in turn, improves their wellbeing.
Cats are particularly sensitive to new or unfamiliar stimuli. The cat's ancestral role as prey means they are constantly on alert when any conditions in their environment are disturbed. Therefore, to keep our cats at the highest levels of calm and wellbeing in the home, it is advisable to apply the following measures:
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