Cats
Domestic cats are still highly motivated to hunt and prefer meals to be little and often. They have limited visual social signals and facial expressions so can be difficult to 'read'. Just like the African wildcat, scent communication is still an important way of relaying information to both themselves and other cats.
- Cat Crazy Time Explained
Thousands of us love Simon’s Cat videos – they’re funny but it’s more than that: many cat owners can relate to the frolics and everyday situations that the videos show. But have you ever wondered why Simon’s Cat acts the way it does – and...
- Behaviour Focus: Drinking Water
In the first of our new weekly behaviour focus posts, Cats Protection Behaviour Manager Nicky Trevorrow explains what to do if your cat isn't drinking from their water bowl. Why do my cats drink out of the toilet/pond/other inappropriate place rather...
- Cats Protection’s Big Cat Project
In October 2016 Cats Protection is running a very exciting event – a Zambezi River challenge and lion conservation project. Participants will be helping the project save the African lion population which has fallen by 80 to 90 per cent since 1975. The...
- Feline Behaviour Explained – Why Does My Cat…?
In the second of a three-part series of visual guides to cat behaviour, we’re examining common cat body behaviours. It is the very nature and behaviour of cats that makes them one of the UK’s most popular pets today. Their independence, playfulness...
- Feline Behaviour Explained – Cat Body Language
In the first of a three-part series of visual guides about cat behaviour, we’re examining common cat body language and postures. Learning to understand your cat by reading their body language is a fascinating part of owning a cat and it can improve...
Cats
The history of domestic cats
In honour of African Cat Week (Monday 13 - Sunday 19 April), we’re starting by looking at the history of the domestic cat, their ancestry, how this makes them the cats they are today and how to ensure their specific needs are met.
African wildcats
Today’s domestic cat shares a common ancestry with the African Wildcat – a species still found today in the savannah in the Middle East and Africa. It is a solitary, territorial species that mainly hunts small rodents. Their environment has relatively sparse concentration of rodent prey, so individuals are well-dispersed to avoid competition for the small amounts of available food. They maintain a territory to ensure other cats are kept away from this important resource. Hunting is not hunger driven – they will hunt before they are hungry to ensure sufficient food is caught each day.
As a solitary species, African wildcats don't need to communicate visually with other cats and instead use scent messages left by rubbing, spraying urine and scratching.
Domestic cats
Many of the biological needs and behaviours seen in African wildcats can still be seen in our pet cats today. Like their ancestors, domestic cats have an inherent desire to maintain an independent territory and are generally happy to live without other cats for company. Many cats living together only tolerate the presence of others to gain access to valued resources such as food, water, toileting area and outdoor access, so there need to be ample resources to avoid stress and conflict.Domestic cats are still highly motivated to hunt and prefer meals to be little and often. They have limited visual social signals and facial expressions so can be difficult to 'read'. Just like the African wildcat, scent communication is still an important way of relaying information to both themselves and other cats.
You can learn more about domestic cat origins by accessing our free Understanding Feline Origins programme at http://learnonline.cats.org.uk/ufoand read more about feline behaviour in our three-part series of visual guides which starts here.
Want to participate in a big cat conservation project? We’re running an international challenge event which involves a three-day big cat volunteer scheme and canoeing the Zambezi River – and the best part is, you can raise funds for the little cats at your local Cats Protection branch or adoption centre at the same time! Download an information pack here.
- Cat Crazy Time Explained
Thousands of us love Simon’s Cat videos – they’re funny but it’s more than that: many cat owners can relate to the frolics and everyday situations that the videos show. But have you ever wondered why Simon’s Cat acts the way it does – and...
- Behaviour Focus: Drinking Water
In the first of our new weekly behaviour focus posts, Cats Protection Behaviour Manager Nicky Trevorrow explains what to do if your cat isn't drinking from their water bowl. Why do my cats drink out of the toilet/pond/other inappropriate place rather...
- Cats Protection’s Big Cat Project
In October 2016 Cats Protection is running a very exciting event – a Zambezi River challenge and lion conservation project. Participants will be helping the project save the African lion population which has fallen by 80 to 90 per cent since 1975. The...
- Feline Behaviour Explained – Why Does My Cat…?
In the second of a three-part series of visual guides to cat behaviour, we’re examining common cat body behaviours. It is the very nature and behaviour of cats that makes them one of the UK’s most popular pets today. Their independence, playfulness...
- Feline Behaviour Explained – Cat Body Language
In the first of a three-part series of visual guides about cat behaviour, we’re examining common cat body language and postures. Learning to understand your cat by reading their body language is a fascinating part of owning a cat and it can improve...