Where did companion cats come from?

Cats have lived in close association with humans for at least 3,500 years. It is believed that the first domestic cats were kept by Ancient Egyptians who used them to keep away mice and other rodents that threatened their stored grains. Companion cats vary a lot in physical appearance but the various breeds are believed to have all descended from small African wild cats. The wild cat is thought to have evolved in a desert climate and the behaviour of companion cats gives some evidence to this theory. For one, cat feces are usually dry, and cats prefer to bury them in sandy places. Cats also enjoy heat and solar exposure, often sleeping in a warm area during the heat of the day. They like to be warmer than humans do and don’t seem to get uncomfortable until their skin reaches about 52ºC.

Relating to companion cats

People enjoy the company of cats because they can be so affectionate and have a lot of personality. Some people also admire the cat’s independent nature. But cat “independence” has often been a point of confusion. Companion cats are descended from wild animals, but don’t forget that domestic cats have been shaped by their relationships with humans. You are a major part of your companion cat’s social life, especially if he or she lives indoors. Your companion cat will have a more fulfilling life if you can learn to interpret what he “says” to you, through his actions and gestures.

Unlike wild dogs, who rely on being part of a hunting team to get food, wild cats are usually solitary predators. Though domestic cats maintain their hunting instincts and will still catch small animals, those who have food and shelter provided for them lose the need to compete with other cats and often prove to be highly sociable. Domestic cats actually need a lot more attention than humans might think, especially if they stay indoors and are the only cat in the house. Cats that are ignored or left alone can become bored and depressed so it is important to greet your companion cats as soon as you get home and intentionally spend time with them each day. An ignored cat will often start misbehaving if she finds it is the only way to get your attention, just as a neglected child might.

Cats’ displays of affection are subtle, especially compared to dogs. A nose touch, a slow eye blink, or a tilt of the tail can all be very deliberate and sincere signals from your cat. Learn to recognize your companion cat’s signals and reciprocate by stroking, playing, and talking to her. A cat that doesn’t seem to like attention or touching will often warm up to the affection if you don’t force it. Pet and hold your companion but stop or let her go at the very first sign of struggle. Once she sees that you are allowing the contact on her terms, she is much more likely to enjoy it.

Cats greet their friends by rubbing faces. Your companion cat may try to reach your face to do this but, when they can’t reach, they’ll settle for rubbing against your legs or lying in front of you. Cats will show that they trust you by putting themselves in a vulnerable position, for example by stretching out at your feet with their bellies up.

Cats keep themselves clean by licking their fur with their slightly prickly tongues. Their saliva is a powerful cleaner, (which, unfortunately, many people are allergic to). Believe it or not, cats use as much fluid grooming as they do urinating. Your companion cat may occasionally try to lick your hair or your skin. This shouldn’t alarm you and doesn’t deserve scolding. For cats, grooming is not only for cleanliness, it is also a demonstration of love and caring. The first thing a kitten experiences is the feeling of its mother licking and washing it. So, when your cat licks you, take it as a compliment – she is probably showing you that she accepts and cares for you.

Sometimes cats seem to knead things by digging their claws in and out contentedly. It is usually something soft, like a blanket, sweater, or your lap. If she does this on your lap, it probably only happens when you are relaxed, either sitting or lying down. Kittens learn that it is time to nurse when their mother lies still and, as they suckle, they use their paws to knead the flesh around the nipples and keep the milk flowing. When mature cats “knead,” they feel safe and comfortable, and are probably recalling the peace of being a kitten.

When you have guests over, don’t be offended or annoyed if your cat tries to hang around the one person who dislikes or fears cats. If several people are staring or trying to pet her, the safest place in the room, from which she can examine everyone comfortably, might be the lap of the person who is ignoring her. If you don’t want to disturb your non-cat-loving friend or your companion cat, ask the other guests to leave the cat alone until she seeks their attention herself.

It is important to never punish or reprimand cats – it could really sour your relationship. Cats live by their own rules and generally do not respond to scolding. A punished cat will associate you with unpleasant experience and, if anything, learn to continue the bad behaviour when you’re not home or not looking. If you want to change your companion cat’s behaviour, the only way is to reward good behaviour, like clawing the scratching post, with petting, affection, and treats. You can also try to make bad behaviour unappealing, for example, by spraying an unpleasant citrus or menthol smell on furniture you don’t want scratched.

How cats relate to other cats

Cats who live outdoors or in homes with multiple cats will develop a dominance hierarchy where one or two cats are more dominant than others. Each cat has its own territory, with dominant cats occupying the largest areas, but there are also neutral areas where cats watch and greet one another without any conflict or aggression. This behaviour doesn’t just come from aggressive males – females and neutered males are equally territorial.

When two cats encounter each other, the “superior” cat may confront the “inferior” cat by staring or meeting it face-to-face. Sometimes they will fight by slapping, scratching, biting, and chasing, until one cat runs off. If one cat wants to let another know that it doesn’t want to argue, it will walk slowly in a wide path around the other cat, usually without even looking at him.

Cats will often become extremely upset when a new cat moves into their area or home. This can be exasperating for humans who, assuming their companion will appreciate friends, adopt new cats. But a bad reaction from your companion should not be surprising. After all, how would you feel if a new stranger moved in to your home without any warning and without your consent? In most cases, the cats will gradually get used to each other and fight less frequently. Some will become friends while others may take to ignoring each other.

Cats feel the need to check up on their territory regularly, leaving their scent behind in various places. They may also consider their human family members to be part of their territory and can become upset when people they don’t know touch their human companions. The cat may feel better about it if you greet her first, before you greet any humans.

Kittens are born deaf and blind, so their first communication with their mother is through feeling the vibrations of her purring to them. Her purring lets the kittens know that she is near and ready for nursing, and they begin purring in response when they are about a week old. It is generally believed that cats purr only to show their pleasure, but they also purr to appear non-threatening, for example, when another cat is being aggressive. A cat who is in pain or frightened may also purr to let others know that she needs help, so be attentive.

Did you know?

• Usually weighing between 5.5 and 16 pounds, domestic cats very rarely exceed 22 pounds, but severely overfed cats have been known to reach up to 50 pounds! As is the case for humans, obesity leads to many health problems and a shortened lifespan for cats. Cats that share human homes have to rely on humans to provide a healthy diet and stimulating exercise.
• Cats don’t go for sugary foods because sweet taste is meaningless to them. Cats, domestic and wild alike, have a defective gene that makes sweetness entirely undetectable to them. Scientists believe this may be what caused them to develop an almost entirely carnivorous diet in the wild.
• It’s a popular misconception that cats will appreciate a bowl of milk. Most cats are actually lactose intolerant and cow’s milk will make them sick.
• Cats purr by vibrating two folds of skin behind their real vocal chords called false vocal chords. The vibration is constant because they purr on the inhale and the exhale, without opening their mouths.
• Cats are among a small number of animals (including owls) who have binocular vision. This movement helps them pinpoint the exact location of their prey when they are hunting.
• Cats sleep more than most animals – usually somewhere between 12 and 16 hours per day.
• A cat has 32 muscles in each of its ears and can move each one independently of the other. Cat ears swivel to locate exactly where sounds are coming from. They can hear much higher-pitched sounds than humans can.
• Cats have twice as many scent cells as humans do, making their sense of smell about 14 times stronger than ours. It’s no wonder they’re so picky about the litter box!
• Cats have very thick skin, except on their sensitive noses. It may not hurt them to sit directly on a radiator, but they will avoid a bowl of very hot food.
• During grooming, swallowed hair collects in the stomachs of some cats, especially the long-haired ones, who then vomit up the hairballs.
• A cat’s spine contains 60 vertebrae (humans only have 34). This is what makes it able to arch its back so impressively, as well as twist around and land the right way up when it falls. Contrary to popular belief, however, cats won’t be able to land on their feet every single time they fall, especially when the distance fallen is short.