Changes

==Group Size==

==Group Size==

Tolerance of group size varies considerably within ''Felis silvestris'', with some subspecies such as the Scottish wildcat (''Felis silvestris grampia'') being almost completely solitary, and others such as the African/Near Eastern wildcat (''Felis silvestris lybica'') being more sociable and group living. This may reflect climate differences in the locations where these subspecies evolved; in temperate and cold climates where human population density is also low, sources of food and shelter may be more sparse and subject to greater competition. Genetic studies indicate that the domestic cat is descended from Felis sylvestris lybica<ref>Driscoll, C.A., Menotti-Raymon, M., Roca, A.L., Hupe, K., Johnson, W.E, Geffen, E., Harley, E.H., Delibes, M., Pontier, D., Kitchener, A.C., Yamaguchi, N., O'Brien, S.J., Macdonald, D.W. (2007) The Near Eastern origin of cat domestication. ''Science''. 317(5837), 519-525.</ref>, which would suggest a higher level of sociability in the domestic cat compared with UK-native wild cats.  

Tolerance of group size varies considerably within ''Felis silvestris'', with some subspecies such as the Scottish wildcat (''Felis silvestris grampia'') being almost completely solitary, and others such as the African/Near Eastern wildcat (''Felis silvestris lybica'') being more sociable and living in groups. This may reflect climate differences in the locations where these subspecies evolved; in temperate and cold climates where human population density is also low, sources of food and shelter may be more sparse and subject to greater competition. Genetic studies indicate that the domestic cat is descended from ''Felis silvestris lybica''<ref>Driscoll, C.A., Menotti-Raymon, M., Roca, A.L., Hupe, K., Johnson, W.E, Geffen, E., Harley, E.H., Delibes, M., Pontier, D., Kitchener, A.C., Yamaguchi, N., O'Brien, S.J., Macdonald, D.W. (2007) The Near Eastern origin of cat domestication. ''Science''. 317(5837), 519-525.</ref>, which would suggest a higher level of sociability in the domestic cat compared with UK-native wild cats.  

Observational studies by authors such as Leyhausen<ref name="Leyhausen">Leyhausen, P. (1988) The tame and the wild- another Just-So-Story? In: D. C. Turner and P. Bateson (eds.). ''The Domestic Cat: the biology of its behavior.'', Cambridge, England: Cambridge University Press.</ref></font color>, Laundre (1977)<ref>Laundre, J. (1977) The daytime behaviour of domestic cats in a free-roaming population. ''Animal Behaviour''. 25, 990-998.</ref> and Fagen (1978)<ref>Fagen, R. M. (1978) Population structure and social behavior in the domestic cat (''Felis catus''). ''Carnivore Genetics Newsletter'' 3(8): 276-281.</ref> expanded knowledge of the social communication and organisation of cats, and revealed their capacity for group living. The work of authors such as Dards (1978<ref>Dards, J. L. (1978) Home ranges of feral cats in Portsmouth. ''Carnivore Genetics Newsletter''. 3(7), 242-255. </ref>, 1981<ref>Dards, J. L. (1981) Habitat utilization by feral cats in Portsmouth dockyard. Pp. 30-49 In: ''The Ecology and Control of Feral Cats.'' Potters Bar: Universities Federation for Animal Welfare.</ref>, 1983<ref>Dards, J. L. (1983) The behaviour of dockyard cats: interactions of adult males. ''Applied Animal Ethology''. 10, 133-153.</ref>), who studied dockyard cats in the UK, and Denny et al. (2002)<ref>Denny, E., Yakovlevich, P., Eldridge, M.D.B., Dickman, D. (2002) Social and genetic analysis of a population of free-living cats (Felis catus L.) exploiting a resource-rich habitat. ''Wildlife Research.'' 45(4), 405-413.</ref> have identified a now well recognised functional template for domestic cat organisation in which related female cats form social groups along with their offspring and juvenile cats. The purpose of the groups is to aid in successful kitten rearing. Males are loosely associated with these groups of females and roam a much larger territory that encompasses the home ranges of several groups of females.  

Observational studies by authors such as Leyhausen<ref name="Leyhausen">Leyhausen, P. (1988) The tame and the wild- another Just-So-Story? In: D. C. Turner and P. Bateson (eds.). ''The Domestic Cat: the biology of its behavior.'', Cambridge, England: Cambridge University Press.</ref></font color>, Laundre (1977)<ref>Laundre, J. (1977) The daytime behaviour of domestic cats in a free-roaming population. ''Animal Behaviour''. 25, 990-998.</ref> and Fagen (1978)<ref>Fagen, R. M. (1978) Population structure and social behavior in the domestic cat (''Felis catus''). ''Carnivore Genetics Newsletter'' 3(8): 276-281.</ref> expanded knowledge of the social communication and organisation of cats, and revealed their capacity for group living. The work of authors such as Dards (1978<ref>Dards, J. L. (1978) Home ranges of feral cats in Portsmouth. ''Carnivore Genetics Newsletter''. 3(7), 242-255. </ref>, 1981<ref>Dards, J. L. (1981) Habitat utilization by feral cats in Portsmouth dockyard. Pp. 30-49 In: ''The Ecology and Control of Feral Cats.'' Potters Bar: Universities Federation for Animal Welfare.</ref>, 1983<ref>Dards, J. L. (1983) The behaviour of dockyard cats: interactions of adult males. ''Applied Animal Ethology''. 10, 133-153.</ref>), who studied dockyard cats in the UK, and Denny et al. (2002)<ref>Denny, E., Yakovlevich, P., Eldridge, M.D.B., Dickman, D. (2002) Social and genetic analysis of a population of free-living cats (Felis catus L.) exploiting a resource-rich habitat. ''Wildlife Research.'' 45(4), 405-413.</ref> have identified a now well recognised functional template for domestic cat organisation in which related female cats form social groups along with their offspring and juvenile cats. The purpose of the groups is to aid in successful kitten rearing. Males are loosely associated with these groups of females and roam a much larger territory that encompasses the home ranges of several groups of females.  

Neutering alters the social behaviour of male cats, reducing their territory size and the level of inter-male conflict. This is observed in large suburban cat colonies in which neutered males participate equally with females.

Neutering alters the social behaviour of male cats, reducing their territory size and the level of inter-male conflict. This is observed in large suburban cat colonies in which neutered males participate equally with females.

==Social structure in a domestic setting==

==Social Structure in a Domestic Setting==

In a domestic context, groups are formed by the successive introduction of unrelated individuals by the owner. There is no function for the group, and there may be a mix of breeds, age,  sex and personality traits (such as sociability). New cats may be introduced when the resident cats are in middle age; a time when their sociability may be reduced. This creates an artificial social setting in which individuals that would, in a wild or feral context, be unlikely to form a social group, are brought together. In a domestic setting, conflict and tension become increasingly likely as group size increases, or resources need to be shared. Lacking a functional social structure that incorporates all individuals, with domestic cat groups characteristic individual group and individual behaviour can become apparent:

In a domestic context, groups are formed by the successive introduction of unrelated individuals by the owner. There is no function for the group, and there may be a mix of breeds, age,  sex and personality traits (such as sociability). New cats may be introduced when the resident cats are in middle age; a time when their sociability may be reduced. This creates an artificial social setting in which individuals that would, in a wild or feral context, be unlikely to form a social group, are brought together. In a domestic setting, conflict and tension become increasingly likely as group size increases, or resources need to be shared. Lacking a functional social structure that incorporates all individuals, with domestic cat groups characteristic individual group and individual behaviour can become apparent:

'''Cliques or Factions''': groups or 3 or more cats that show greeting and other affiliative behaviour towards each other, but may be aggressive to other members of the domestic group.

'''Cliques or Factions''': Groups or 3 or more cats that show greeting and other affiliative behaviour towards each other, but may be aggressive to other members of the domestic group.

'''Pairs''': Pairs of cats, often littermates, that greet and show affiliative behaviour towards each other.

'''Pairs''': Pairs of cats, often litter mates or cats that were homed together when very young, that greet and show affiliative behaviour towards each other.

'''Social facilitators''': These cats will often offer and receive greetings and affiliative behaviour with cats from several factions or cliques. They may also associate with other cats outside the group and serve to maintain group odour between individuals and sub-groups that rarely interact directly with each other.

'''Social Facilitators''': These cats will often offer and receive greetings and affiliative behaviour with cats from several factions or cliques. They may also associate with other cats outside the group and serve to maintain group odour between individuals and sub-groups that rarely interact directly with each other.

'''Satellite individuals''': These offer and receive little or no greeting or affiliative behaviour with the other cats in the home. They may be involved in minor or passive aggressive incidents with other cats in the group, often as the recipient of threat.

'''Satellite Individuals''': These offer and receive little or no greeting or affiliative behaviour with the other cats in the home. They may be involved in minor or passive aggressive incidents with other cats in the group, often as the recipient of threat.

'''Despots''': These individuals may deliberately monopolise resources and create opportunities to intimidate other cats in, and outside the home.

'''Despots''': These individuals may deliberately monopolise resources and create opportunities to intimidate other cats in, and outside the home.

==Multi-Cat Households==  

==Multi-Cat Households==  

Like their wild ancestors, domestic cats have the capacity to form social groups, but they do not need to do so. There is no evidence that singly housed cats experience stress related health or behavioural problems. However, stress related behaviour problems such as indoor spray marking<ref>Pryor, P.A., Hart, B.L., Bain, M.J., Cliff, K.D. (2001) Causes of urine marking in cats and effects of environmental management on frequency of marking. ''JAVMA''. 219, 1709-1713.</ref> are more likely in multi-cat households. Greater levels of conflict are observed in multi-cat households, which is identified as an underlying factor in stress related health problems such as feline idiopathic cystitis <ref>Westropp, J.L., Buffinton, C.A. (2004) Feline idiopathic cystitis: current understanding of pathophysiology and management. ''Vet Clin Small Anim''. 34, 1043-1055.</ref>

Like their wild ancestors, domestic cats have the capacity to form social groups, but they do not need to do so. There is no evidence that singly housed cats experience stress related health or behavioural problems. However, stress related behaviour problems such as indoor spray marking<ref>Pryor, P.A., Hart, B.L., Bain, M.J., Cliff, K.D. (2001) Causes of urine marking in cats and effects of environmental management on frequency of marking. ''JAVMA''. 219, 1709-1713.</ref> are more likely in multi-cat households. Greater levels of conflict are observed in multi-cat households, which is identified as an underlying factor in stress related health problems such as [[Cystitis#Feline Idiopathic Cystitis|feline idiopathic cystitis]] <ref>Westropp, J.L., Buffinton, C.A. (2004) Feline idiopathic cystitis: current understanding of pathophysiology and management. ''Vet Clin Small Anim''. 34, 1043-1055.</ref>, which may also be more common in multi-cat households.

There is no reason to provide other cats as play mates for a single, happy cat that has outdoor access and plenty of toys and resting places in the home. It is important to remember that cats are [[feline Predatory Behaviour|solitary hunters]] and they do not need to associate with other cats in order to survive. This means that cats can live alone perfectly happily. Provided that they have a sufficient supply of [[Effect of Environment on Feline Behaviour|safe territory, food, shelter,]] affection from their owners and opportunities to play and exercise, then they will cope very well. The cat is free to mix with cats outside and, if it is a sociable individual, it can find friends there. If, however, the cat is not particularly sociable then it can avoid other cats and live a happy life alone. Some cats definitely prefer to have their own home, without other cats in it, so it is important to think carefully before getting another cat.

Given the increased probability of inter-cat tension in multi cat households, and the very high cat population density in some urban areas, owners should be encouraged to exercise caution when considering the introduction of additional cats to a household. Although some cats do form strong social bonds with each other, these relationships are not the norm and are not something that cat owners should expect to see. Singly housed cats with a suitably enriched environment have no intrinsic need for the companionship of another cat; the default state of cast is as [[feline Predatory Behaviour|solitary hunters]] that do not need to associate with other cats in order to survive. It is more important that owners focus on providing cats with sufficient [[Effect of Environment on Feline Behaviour|safe territory, food, shelter,]] and opportunities to play and exercise.

Some urban areas have a very high population density of cats and adding extra ones simply causes more tension and stress for all of them. New cats may not be able to carve out their own territory and could end up living indoors because they are too frightened to go outside.

If a new cat is to be added to a household where there are already resident cats, then [[Effect of Environment on Feline Behaviour#Introducing a Cat to a New Home/Environment|the new cat must be introduced very carefully]]. Apart from introducing the new cat correctly, it is important to make sure that the resident cats have a surplus of the resources they need so that they feel comfortable to coexist without competition.  

If you intend to keep several cats indoors, without outside access, this can also cause problems. You will need to [[Effect of Environment on Feline Behaviour|adapt the house]] to provide the cats with space and a whole host of resources and activities to save them from becoming bored or stressed by the absence of privacy from other cats.

 

Sociability in cats may reduce after the age of 2 years, and be significantly reduced in middle age. It may therefore be more difficult to mix cats that are 2 years of age or older. There is also significant individual variation in the sociability of cats. Cats are more likely to integrate in a multi-cat household if they have previous successful experience of living in a similar multi-cat setting. Although there is some evidence that certain sex pairings may be more likely to succeed (for example, a resident cat may be more accepting of a new cat of the opposite sex), individual variation in social tolerance is more important.  

In the wild, cats do often live in groups, but these mainly consist of related adult females and immature cats. They are extremely intolerant of outsiders and unwilling to live with a cat they are not related to. So if the desire is for two cats to live together, it is best to get them as littermates. If this is not possible, very young kittens can be raised as if they were from the same litter, provided that this starts at a very early age i.e. before they are seven weeks old.

 

If an adult cat or older kitten is to become an additional cat in a multi-cat household, then [[Effect of Environment on Feline Behaviour#Introducing a Cat to a New Home/Environment|the new cat must be introduced very carefully]]. Apart from introducing the new cat correctly, it is important to make sure that the resident cats have plenty of the resources they need so that they feel comfortable to coexist without competition.  

Owners who seek to have more than one cat may be best advised to start with two kittens of the same sex, as differences in behavioural development between male and female kittens can lead to problems.  

Research has shown that resident adult cats are more likely to accept the introduction of a new cat if it is much younger than them. They are far more intolerant of same-aged or older new cats. Research also suggests that resident cats are more likely to tolerate a new cat of the opposite rather than the same sex and that, in cases of same sex pairs, two males are slightly more likely to be compatible than two females. Some older cats do feel intimidated by kittens, as they may feel unable to stand up to physical play. So, getting two young kittens reduces the pressure on the older cat because the kittens can play together.

===Replacing a Housemate===

===Replacing a Housemate===

Friendships between cats are unique and individual and they cannot be replaced by bringing in a new cat. If a pair of littermates has been raised together, their bond is particularly strong and irreplaceable. The remaining cat may experience genuine grief and may search for and call out to the missing one. This kind of grieving can go on for several months and is certainly not a good time to bring in another cat. Any new cat may be met with intense hostility. Even if the new cat is introduced well after grieving has ended, the bond is unlikely ever to be as strong as between the previous pair.

Friendships between cats are unique and individual and they cannot be replaced by bringing in a new cat. If a pair of littermates has been raised together, their bond may be particularly strong. The remaining cat may show signs of grief, searching for and calling out for the missing one. This can go on for several months, and is a particularly bad time to introduce another cat as any new cat may be met with intense hostility. It is important for owners to realise that strong bonds between cats cannot be replaced by the introduction of another cat.

==References==

==References==

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[[Category:Normal Feline Behaviour]]

[[Category:Normal Feline Behaviour]]