Difference between revisions of "Timing of Feline Activity"
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* Cats often adapt their activity patterns to the presence of humans. | * Cats often adapt their activity patterns to the presence of humans. | ||
| − | * However, experimentally cats show variation in activity pattern and ability to adapt to light conditions, which may be why some individuals exhibit | + | * However, experimentally cats show variation in activity pattern and ability to adapt to light conditions, which may be why some individuals exhibit nocturnal activity which is problematic for owners. |
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==Timing of Activity== | ==Timing of Activity== | ||
| − | + | Cats are commonly described as '''crepuscular''' (active primarily during twilight - dawn and dusk). This pattern of activity has been confirmed in radio-telemetry studies<ref>Konecny, M. J. (1987) Home range and activity patterns of feral house cats in the Galapagos Islands. ''Oikos''. 50, 17-23.</ref>. The cat's crepuscular nature is also supported by the structure and function of the its [[Eye - Anatomy & Physiology|eye]], which has a number of adaptations that improve its function in low light conditions. However, cats have also previously been described as nocturnal and diurnal, based on findings from different studies. Under laboratory conditions in isolation from human contact, cats showed random patterns of activity in continuous light, and free-running circadian rhythms in constant darkness<ref>Randall, W., Johnson, R.F., Randall, S., Cunningham, J.T. (1985) Circadian rhythms in food intake and activity in domestic cats. ''Behav Neurosci''. 99(6), 1162-1175.
</ref>. Food intake was stimulated by simulated starlight and the presence of people. There was also a significant level of idiosyncratic variation in entrainment to different light-dark cycles, indicating that some individuals were more capable than others of adapting to different day length. | |
==Relationship with Human Activity== | ==Relationship with Human Activity== | ||
| − | The activity of domestic cats is also significantly influenced by human activity. In conditions that more closely resemble | + | For many generations domestic cats have been exposed to a different set of selection pressures related to photoperiodicity of behaviour, the availability of prey and the presence of humans. In these altered environmental conditions, cats which continued to follow a pattern of entrainment with greater levels of activity during the twilight period might have have been at a survival disadvantage. Diversity of level of photoperiod entrainment in cats would be expected. |
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| + | The activity of domestic cats is also significantly influenced by human activity. In conditions that more closely resemble an average domestic environment, cats that were more closely involved with their owners showed greater levels of activity during daylight<ref>Piccione, G., Marafioti, S., Giannetto, C., Panzera, M., Fazio, F., (2013) Daily rhythm of total activity pattern in domestic
cats (''Felis silvestris catus'') maintained in two different housing conditions. ''Journal of Veterinary Behavior.'' ePub online.</ref>. | ||
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| + | Man-made lighting, including light pollution, maintains a constant level of illumination in urban areas that is similar to the crepuscular period. This means that urban cats, and their prey, are exposed to a distorted photoperiod that does not favour proper entrainment. This could lead to alterations of activity patterns, particularly [[Feline Predatory Behaviour|hunting]] and [[Feline Territorial Behaviour|territorial behaviour]]. It could also influence prey behaviour and hunting success in urban cats. | ||
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| + | ==Problems Relating to Feline Activity Patterns== | ||
| + | Cats with free outdoor access are able to follow an crepuscular activity pattern without disturbing their owners. However, cats kept indoors will occasionally disturb their owners' sleep by becoming active at dawn. They may play loudly or try to wake their owners. This can be avoided by providing environmental enrichment, including interactive toys and activity feeders, or by giving the cat outdoor access. There is also some evidence that pet ownership is generally disruptive to sleep when pets are allowed access to the owner's bedroom <ref>Duthuluru, S., Stevens, D., Stevens, S. (2014) Sleep quality due to co-sleeping with pets. "Proceeding of the 28th Annual Meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies"</ref> <ref>Krahn, L., Tovar, M.D., Miller, B. (2014) Where do companion animal sleep? "Proceeding of the 28th Annual Meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies"</ref>. | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
<references /> | <references /> | ||
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| + | {{Jon Bowen written | ||
| + | |date = June 26, 2014 | ||
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| + | {{Ceva}} | ||
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[[Category:Normal Feline Behaviour]] | [[Category:Normal Feline Behaviour]] | ||
Latest revision as of 09:47, 16 July 2015
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Timing of Activity
Cats are commonly described as crepuscular (active primarily during twilight - dawn and dusk). This pattern of activity has been confirmed in radio-telemetry studies[1]. The cat's crepuscular nature is also supported by the structure and function of the its eye, which has a number of adaptations that improve its function in low light conditions. However, cats have also previously been described as nocturnal and diurnal, based on findings from different studies. Under laboratory conditions in isolation from human contact, cats showed random patterns of activity in continuous light, and free-running circadian rhythms in constant darkness[2]. Food intake was stimulated by simulated starlight and the presence of people. There was also a significant level of idiosyncratic variation in entrainment to different light-dark cycles, indicating that some individuals were more capable than others of adapting to different day length.
Relationship with Human Activity
For many generations domestic cats have been exposed to a different set of selection pressures related to photoperiodicity of behaviour, the availability of prey and the presence of humans. In these altered environmental conditions, cats which continued to follow a pattern of entrainment with greater levels of activity during the twilight period might have have been at a survival disadvantage. Diversity of level of photoperiod entrainment in cats would be expected.
The activity of domestic cats is also significantly influenced by human activity. In conditions that more closely resemble an average domestic environment, cats that were more closely involved with their owners showed greater levels of activity during daylight[3].
Man-made lighting, including light pollution, maintains a constant level of illumination in urban areas that is similar to the crepuscular period. This means that urban cats, and their prey, are exposed to a distorted photoperiod that does not favour proper entrainment. This could lead to alterations of activity patterns, particularly hunting and territorial behaviour. It could also influence prey behaviour and hunting success in urban cats.
Problems Relating to Feline Activity Patterns
Cats with free outdoor access are able to follow an crepuscular activity pattern without disturbing their owners. However, cats kept indoors will occasionally disturb their owners' sleep by becoming active at dawn. They may play loudly or try to wake their owners. This can be avoided by providing environmental enrichment, including interactive toys and activity feeders, or by giving the cat outdoor access. There is also some evidence that pet ownership is generally disruptive to sleep when pets are allowed access to the owner's bedroom [4] [5].
References
- ↑ Konecny, M. J. (1987) Home range and activity patterns of feral house cats in the Galapagos Islands. Oikos. 50, 17-23.
- ↑ Randall, W., Johnson, R.F., Randall, S., Cunningham, J.T. (1985) Circadian rhythms in food intake and activity in domestic cats. Behav Neurosci. 99(6), 1162-1175.
- ↑ Piccione, G., Marafioti, S., Giannetto, C., Panzera, M., Fazio, F., (2013) Daily rhythm of total activity pattern in domestic cats (Felis silvestris catus) maintained in two different housing conditions. Journal of Veterinary Behavior. ePub online.
- ↑ Duthuluru, S., Stevens, D., Stevens, S. (2014) Sleep quality due to co-sleeping with pets. "Proceeding of the 28th Annual Meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies"
- ↑ Krahn, L., Tovar, M.D., Miller, B. (2014) Where do companion animal sleep? "Proceeding of the 28th Annual Meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies"
 |
This article has been written and expert reviewed by Jon Bowen BVetMed DipAS(CABC) MRCVS. Date reviewed: June 26, 2014 |
| The creation of this content was made possible by Ceva Santé Animale as part of the feline behaviour project. | 
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