I had a vet tell me when my cats were having issues it was because, "cats are not pack animals and do not enjoy being together." While I agree it is true they are not "pack" animals I believe they are social animals. What do other's think?
Exactly. I have yet to see a cat that doesn't at least try to be near humans or other cats. Cats simply do not like being completely alone. Even cats that don't get along with each other will feel more comfortable in an uncertain situation where there's another cat nearby.Originally Posted by Arlyn
Feral cats form colonies, usually related females with one dominant male as a protector, it's a safety in numbers issue. But within a colony, individual cats often have their own territories.
The National Geographic documentary on cats discussed this extensively. Of the felines, only lions and domestic cats are social.Originally Posted by Arlyn
Feral cats form colonies, usually related females with one dominant male as a protector, it's a safety in numbers issue. But within a colony, individual cats often have their own territories.
I've seen a few documentaries about cheetahs, and some of them will mention that there has been a slight increase in cheetahs staying in pairs longer. Usually some adolescent big cats will do this but when they mature they split up. Apparently male cheetahs will stay together in a coalition, for life, and are very social.Originally Posted by Zane's Pal
The National Geographic documentary on cats discussed this extensively. Of the felines, only lions and domestic cats are social.
They're also the only cats that purr. Connection?Originally Posted by Zane's Pal
The National Geographic documentary on cats discussed this extensively. Of the felines, only lions and domestic cats are social.
Originally Posted by howtoholdacat
They're also the only cats that purr. Connection?
The show might have been a bit behind on information, or just glossed over that part a bit. It always seems to me that cat info gets the short end of the stick.Originally Posted by howtoholdacat
I didn't read it, I saw it on a nature program. I'm sure I'm not an expert on the subject! Lol! I will yield to your knowledge!
I used to feel bad for Levi because the other 3 would be curled up in a pile on my bed & he would be by himself in the other room. I have since figured out that he is happy that way. I do think he would miss Jordan for sure. He & Jordan have been together since they were little.Originally Posted by Arlyn
Angie, my old girl has not bonded with, or cuddled a cat since my male was PTS in 2000.
But I do know that when there are no other cats around, she cries and looks for them, is restless and doesn't sleep much.
Now that I have two other girls, she acts her normal self and ignores them almost completely.
She will groom a head or two when she's of a mood, but stays to herself otherwise.
I think you're right. I was trying to remember where I heard that. I watch a LOT of nature programs and tend to retain a lot of the information. It could be very old. It might be time for me to brush up on things!Originally Posted by strange_wings
The show might have been a bit behind on information, or just glossed over that part a bit. It always seems to me that cat info gets the short end of the stick.(hence why a vet would even consider domestic cats to be unsocial in the first place) I do remember watching several documentaries years ago and the mother cats always purred or made purr-like noises with cubs, and cheetahs doing so between siblings (even when older).
Actually he was Jordan's main vet for a couple years, but this incident cemented my thought to change vets. In addition, when they were fighting he mentioned that in order to get things better Jordan might have to go on medication. He just assumed that Jordan was the problem because Jordan is a dominant cat. I'm going to the same practice, but I found a vet I like better.Originally Posted by howtoholdacat
I think you're right. I was trying to remember where I heard that. I watch a LOT of nature programs and tend to retain a lot of the information. It could be very old. It might be time for me to brush up on things!
That aside, I don't think I'd go to a vet who wrote my cats off as unsocial when I know them to be social. I've often wondered if teaching more animal behavior might be a good idea for vet school. I have a professional pet sitting business and find I'm often answering questions for clients about behavior specifically when they weren't satisfied with the answers they received from their vets. I guess the moral of the story is that not all vets are cat people!
You hit the nail on the head there! My Waco is a 10 year old siamese and is the undisputed RULER of the house. I had 4 cats at one time and he was always okay but never was really warm and fuzzy with them. Two of the original 4 have recently passed on and last September I rescued a beautiful little siamese girl about 2 years old from the local kill shelter. I did the whole gradual introduction thing with little Chasca living in my bathroom for a few weeks while from time-to-time I would bring her out in my arms for some sniffing "getting to know you" sessions. Waco, being extreme ruler of the universe did not take this well. He had little Chasca SO scared she let her water go while I was holding her! All over me, the carpet, Waco, the tile...well you get the picture. Anyway, there is a purpose to this story. While Waco is still rather independant, little Chasca & he are inseparable. Where he goes, she goes. They have bonded to a astonishing degree. Talk about a May-December romance!!!Originally Posted by Rang_27
I know that Levi prefers not to cuddle with the other cats, but I do wonder if he would be lonely without them? Not wanting to cuddle with the others is differnt than not wanting to live with the others.
That is interesting to me because Levi is actually the bottom kitty in my house. He sometimes gets picked on by Isaac (he's #2 in the house), then about once a month I bust them snuggling together at night.Originally Posted by DWMeowMix
You hit the nail on the head there! My Waco is a 10 year old siamese and is the undisputed RULER of the house. I had 4 cats at one time and he was always okay but never was really warm and fuzzy with them. Two of the original 4 have recently passed on and last September I rescued a beautiful little siamese girl about 2 years old from the local kill shelter. I did the whole gradual introduction thing with little Chasca living in my bathroom for a few weeks while from time-to-time I would bring her out in my arms for some sniffing "getting to know you" sessions. Waco, being extreme ruler of the universe did not take this well. He had little Chasca SO scared she let her water go while I was holding her! All over me, the carpet, Waco, the tile...well you get the picture. Anyway, there is a purpose to this story. While Waco is still rather independant, little Chasca & he are inseparable. Where he goes, she goes. They have bonded to a astonishing degree. Talk about a May-December romance!!!I just look at them and shake my head and now I get to worry about how Chasca will take it when Waco inevidendably passes on.