Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter 3
Feline Mental Health
Part of the allure of cat ownership is living with a creature who has not
truly been domesticated. The process of feline domestication did not
take the typical course of selective breeding to produce gentleness or
trainability, as occurred with other species. Instead, cat breeding has
gone through periods when it has been selective and periods when it
has been random, depending on whether cats have fallen in or out of
favor.
Cats rely on their natural instincts for hunting, self preservation and
elimination. Many of the behaviors cat owners deem undesirable are
simply manifestations of natural behaviors. Cats instinctively mark their
territory by spraying and scratching, they play roughly with one anoth-
er, and they pounce on and bite their prey. If you really think about it,
many of the ways we demand cats behave are totally contrary to their
nature.
I was taught in veterinary school that cats are not social animals, but
more recent research has disproved this myth. Cats need individual
attention from their owners and are generally better adjusted socially
when they are raised with at least one other cat.You are wrong if you
think your cat doesn't need you.Although cats can manage staying home
alone all day while you are at work, it's really not their preference.
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