Facts About Cats' Social Behavior
Knowing and understanding the social behavior of your cat can make a hug difference in how they behave and how you treat them. There are several questions you might have when it comes to the social behavior of cats; are they social? Are they independent? Do they get along with other animals? Are they trainable? These are all parts of their social behavior. Here are some facts about cats and social behavior that might come in handy before adopting a cat.
Are cats social?
Yes it's true that cats are a solitary species but they have been known to be very social with their owners and sometimes other cats and animals. Cats can live in large groups but they don't need to; they can survive quite well on their own. Kittens however are much more playful and friendly than older cats with family members and other cats. Kittens will also participate in social and family functions much more than an older cat would be expected to.
Biting
One specific social behavior that cats exhibit is called biting; this is a form of talking for them. This is a type of behavior they use to communicate with humans and other cats. Cat biting can be broken down into a few different parts:
· Nipping. Nipping is referred to as gentle biting and is considered to be a sign of affection. Cats generally use nipping in the same way people would use a simple kiss. It is usually accompanied by other affectionate behaviors such as rubbing up against a leg.
· Biting. When a cat begins biting it is generally a harder bite than nipping. It is usually done when a cat is annoyed with the attention they are getting or not getting. It may be because the skin is being irritated, or because they don't like the way you are petting them. Whatever the reason for the biting, it generally means that the cat wants to be left alone, needs some space, or just wants you top stop what you're doing.
· Aggressive biting. This is done with the intention to injure someone and is very rare in domesticated cats. Generally speaking a cat will not bit aggressively unless it feels threatened.
Body Language
Cats have their own kind of body language when it comes to socially communicating with humans and other animals. A cat can do a lot of talking with their heads and tails, which is usually what they do since they can't talk. Here are some ways that cats use body language to communicate:
· Cats often times greet one another by touching noses. This can be related as a handshake among people.
· When a cat lowers its head it is usually a sign of submission.
· Cats love rubbing their faces on the leg of their owners or on their cheeks. This is an affectionate greeting and also a way of marking their territory.
· When a cat's head is held high, it is a sign of confidence.
· When a cat licks you it is a sign of affection; when they lick themselves they are usually grooming.
Cats also use their tails to communicate and it's important not to confuse their tail language with a dog. When a dog wags their tail it usually means that they are happy. With a cat however, it usually means they are angry or want to hunt.
It's important to learn the social behavior of your cat or of cats in general in order to provide the best home and attention for them. Hopefully these simple facts about cats social behavior will give you a good idea on how to treat your cat and read their behavior signs.
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