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→Relationship with Human Activity
==Relationship with Human Activity==
==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.
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<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>.
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>.
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.
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 <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==