Understanding Cat Behviour
Cats are very sensitive to stress. Changes in their routine, visitors, a new pet or member of the family, being misunderstood by an owner all are major stressors for cats. When behaviours occur which we may considered negative, we need to examine the environment or consider if an underlying stressor is to blame. If stress inducing changes cannot be identified, it may be assumed a medical condition could have caused the changed behaviour.
Veterinary assistance or advice should always be sought if you notice the cat:
- Refuses to eat or drink
- Retreats from company
- Neglects to groom itself
- Sneezes or scratches constantly
- Has difficulty urinating and defecating
- Has problems breathing
Personality and Temperament
Research suggests that there are three main types of feline personality which can be attributed to genetics.
- the active ,aggressive cat
- the shy, fearful cat
- the trusting, friendly trusting cat
When performing a temperament test, or if you just want to assess your own cat, you can carry out observations when the cat is placed in a variety of situations. Cat temperament test can be used by animal behaviourists as an initial assessment before behavioural training of a cat.
You would try to observe behaviour in the following situations. Each situation needs to be given time for the result to be accurate, so don’t rush your conclusion.
Does the cat demonstrate appropriate behaviour? Ask yourself how does the cat respond to…
- other pets?
- male cats?
- female cats?
- to kittens?
- unknown humans?
- to male adult humans?
- to female adult humans?
- to children?
Does the cat show any aggression in these situations? If there is aggression, is the level of aggression appropriate?
Temperament tests will often be used by the staff in cat shelters and rehoming centres to determine the appropriate situation in which she cat should live. For example, cats that are friendly and trusting are normally able to live in harmony with families including children.
How cats communicate
For you to understand how your cat ‘thinks’, you can only develop this level of awareness by understanding how your cat communicates. It is important to be aware of different methods of communication are (varying movements, postures, noises and chemical (scents) and what each signal means.
Cats vocalise with a range of noises, such as purring, growling, hissing and meowing.
Meowing is the most commonly known cat sound. In nature, a meow is the sound a cat makes to signal its mother. Adult cats do not tend to meow to each other. So when a domestic cat meows to a human being, it is showing behaviour that is an extension of its kitten behaviour – meowing to its mother or primary carer. Meowing indicates that the cat is calling for attention.
Purring is a tonal buzzing sound made by most felines. Purring generally starts when a cat is only a few days old and the purpose being for the kitten to let the mother know it is content while suckling. Domestic cats tend to purr at a frequency of 25 to 150 vibrations per second. The sound caused by using the larynx muscles to rapidly dilate and constrict the vocal cords causing air vibrations when they breathe in and out. It is generally thought to signify happiness, but it can mean that the cat is in pain, ill, tense, threatened or angry.
Hissing or growling is common when cats feel threatened or are angry. This is a warning to the other party. If the other party does not heed the cat’s warning, then the cat may violently attack. They may extend or retract their claws whilst “poking” with their paws. A cat may hiss and arch its back to make it appear larger to face a threat. A hiss is usually a warning sign.
Chattering or chirping noises are common when cats are observing their prey. This may be noticeable when observing cats detecting birds. Cats may also issue a “caterwaul”. This is the cry of a cat when they are “in heat” or in oestrus. Chirping indicates the cat has spotted prey.
A squeal or screaming noise generally indicates distress and/or pain.
Want to learn more about cats or animals in general? Please follow the links below or contact us for more information. Our tutors are always more than happy to help.
