There are many people who think that cats are solitary animals., and they are not sociable. But reality differs a bit from those beliefsWhile it is true that cats may seem more independent compared to other pets, such as dogs, they are not completely solitary animals. In the natural world, cats can form colonies to survive, interacting with each other, sharing spaces and being territorial but also, showing clear social attitudes towards their companions. This demolishes the belief that they are not sociable.
The first social contact is established with his mother, who is responsible for giving the kitten affection, warmth and protection, just as all mammalian mothers do. This bond is essential for its social development. As the kitten grows, it stops depending on its mother for everything, but the emotional relationship continues. Even in domestic conditions where mother and child live together for their entire lives, this bond remains present. Cats born in a healthy domestic environment show a continuous relationship of affection and respect towards their human caregiver, similar to the one they would have with their mother.
The cat in the colonies: a complex social dynamic
A clear example of the sociability of cats is given in the colonies. colonies of stray cats They are complex social structures in which felines interact in a variety of ways. Although they do not depend on each other for hunting, the bonds they form between them allow them to defend themselves from external threats and share resources.
In these colonies, cats show a social hierarchy that is not as rigid as in dog groups, but there are dominant and subordinate cats. dominant cats Cats tend to take control of the best resources, such as access to food and shelter, while subordinates accept their place in the social structure. Although cats are solitary hunters, social relationships within colonies are not the result of chance, but of a need to adapt to urban environments where they are forced to live with other cats. This adaptation shows that cats have a social flexibility much greater than traditionally attributed to them.
The social bond between cat and human
Like groups of stray cats, domestic felines develop close bonds with humans. It is not surprising that cats in a colony maintain a "peer to peer" relationship. with their caregivers. They may not immediately approach to be petted, but they appreciate and even seek human company in terms of food and protection. In a domestic environment, these felines view humans as resource providers and a source of security.
There are studies that show that domestic cats have the ability to create emotional ties with their owners. Although they are more independent than other pets, cats enjoy human company and may “rub” not only to mark territory, but also as a sign of affection. Rubbing or licking you is not merely instinctive; it is their way of showing that they see you as part of their secure and stable social group.
Domestication and its impact on feline socialization
Over the years, cats have gone through domestication processes that have modified their behavior towards humans. While their ancestor, the African wildcat, was a solitary predator, modern cats have learned to live with others of their species and even with people.
This domestication process has not been as intense as in the case of dogs, but it has had a profound impact on their sociable behavior. Cats that grow up in a human environment, especially during the early socialization period (2-9 weeks of age), develop a greater tendency to seek contact with people. During this critical period, kittens learn to accept human interactions as something positive. If treated properly, these early experiences determine their future behavior, making them more sociable and less distrustful.
On the other hand, cats that do not have human contact during this period often show more distant behaviors, being more reserved or even aggressive. This does not mean that they cannot develop strong relationships with their caregivers, but their adaptation process It will be slower and will require additional effort from the owner.
Feline gestures of affection: how to understand our cats
Cats have a number of behaviors that are indicative of their affection towards humans. One of the best-known gestures is the rub against the legs, which many interpret as a sign of affection. However, this behaviour also has a deeper social function: cats possess scent glands that release pheromones, allowing them to mark you as part of their family. This not only reinforces their feeling of belonging but also provides them with a sense of security.
- Another gesture is the purr, which we associate with cat comfort and pleasure. This sound is a form of social communication that indicates your cat feels happy and safe in your company. However, purring can also have other meanings, such as when a cat is sick or stressed and uses it to calm itself.
- A less obvious sign of affection is when your cat blinks slowly towards you. This gesture is a way of showing trust, as a cat that feels insecure or in danger will never look away from something it perceives as a threat. Slow blinking is a kind of “feline kiss.”
Understanding these gestures is essential to having a successful relationship with our feline. The more time we spend observing their behavior, the easier it will be for us to interpret what they are trying to tell us.
Cats can be much more social than we often think. Although they have a reputation for being independent, their ability to form emotional bonds with other cats and humans is undeniable. Like any other relationship, the key is to understand their signals and behaviors in order to provide them with the right environment where they can flourish socially.