Do Cats Make Friends With Other Cats? Feline Social Behavior Explained
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Yueke
Wed, May 15, 2024
PHOTO: Yueke
If you’ve ever brought home a new cat and you already own one, then you know how complex the introduction of the two pets can be. Cats are finicky animals that are slow to warm up to new animals and situations, which can make it difficult to integrate a new cat into your household. If your cat spends time outdoors, then they are likely to run into other cats, which will likely take an adjustment period similar to that of introducing a new cat into your home.
Will your cat ever make friends with other cats? Cats are able to bond with other cats, forging what we might consider a “friendship” with each other. Not all cats want to form bonds with other cats, though!
Although some cats may warm up to each other within a matter of days or weeks, it typically takes between 8 and 12 months for two cats to form a bond close enough that they could be considered to be friends. In some cases, though, the two cats may never bond. While this situation usually results in two cats that simply stay out of each other’s way, it sometimes requires one of the cats to be permanently rehomed for the safety and health of the animals.
Keep in mind that cats are naturally solitary animals. They can form bonds with other animals and people, but in the wild, cats usually live completely solitary lives. They may only interact with other cats when there is a territory dispute or breeding season is in full swing. If you’ve ever watched a feral cat colony, then you’ve likely noted that some cats do seem to stick together. In many cases, these cats have bonded from a young age. They may even be siblings.
If you’re currently living in a one-cat household, you may have caught yourself wondering if your cat might be happier if you gave them a feline friend. If your cat spends a lot of time alone or seems excessively bored, even when you spend daily time with them playing and snuggling, then they may benefit from the addition of another cat in the home.
It’s important to remember, though, that most cats are perfectly content to live in a home with no other cats. In the wild, their territory would be relatively large, and cats are often not keen on sharing their territory with other felines. This is one of the main reasons that it’s so difficult to introduce two cats to each other.
Many cats can adjust to the addition of a new cat to the home. Even if your cat may not necessarily want a feline friend, it doesn’t mean that they won’t be able to adjust to a new cat, nor does it mean that they’ll never bond with the new addition.
Cats may not form friendships in the traditional sense that humans do, but they can bond closely with other cats. Littermates that are raised together or kittens that are kept with their mother are most likely to be tightly bonded to their companion. Other cats can learn to accept other cats, sometimes even forming extremely close bonds. Cats are solitary animals, though, so many of them are very happy to live in their own territory without the intrusion of other animals.
Will your cat ever make friends with other cats? Cats are able to bond with other cats, forging what we might consider a “friendship” with each other. Not all cats want to form bonds with other cats, though!
Although some cats may warm up to each other within a matter of days or weeks, it typically takes between 8 and 12 months for two cats to form a bond close enough that they could be considered to be friends. In some cases, though, the two cats may never bond. While this situation usually results in two cats that simply stay out of each other’s way, it sometimes requires one of the cats to be permanently rehomed for the safety and health of the animals.
Keep in mind that cats are naturally solitary animals. They can form bonds with other animals and people, but in the wild, cats usually live completely solitary lives. They may only interact with other cats when there is a territory dispute or breeding season is in full swing. If you’ve ever watched a feral cat colony, then you’ve likely noted that some cats do seem to stick together. In many cases, these cats have bonded from a young age. They may even be siblings.
If you’re currently living in a one-cat household, you may have caught yourself wondering if your cat might be happier if you gave them a feline friend. If your cat spends a lot of time alone or seems excessively bored, even when you spend daily time with them playing and snuggling, then they may benefit from the addition of another cat in the home.
It’s important to remember, though, that most cats are perfectly content to live in a home with no other cats. In the wild, their territory would be relatively large, and cats are often not keen on sharing their territory with other felines. This is one of the main reasons that it’s so difficult to introduce two cats to each other.
Many cats can adjust to the addition of a new cat to the home. Even if your cat may not necessarily want a feline friend, it doesn’t mean that they won’t be able to adjust to a new cat, nor does it mean that they’ll never bond with the new addition.
Cats may not form friendships in the traditional sense that humans do, but they can bond closely with other cats. Littermates that are raised together or kittens that are kept with their mother are most likely to be tightly bonded to their companion. Other cats can learn to accept other cats, sometimes even forming extremely close bonds. Cats are solitary animals, though, so many of them are very happy to live in their own territory without the intrusion of other animals.
Image Credit: Gladskikh Tatiana, Shutterstock
Last Updated on April 12, 2024 by Nicole Cosgrove
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Although there’s no scientific study on whether cats enjoy our singing, several owners swear their cats perk up when they start crooning. Many find their cats become more affectionate, seeking them out for cuddles and kisses. Some even feel their pets have favorite songs and often go to great lengths to write original tunes for them!
Despite the anecdotal evidence, we still can’t be sure cats act this way because they like our singing. Are they reacting to the sound of our voice, or is something else happening while we sing?
Cats use every environmental element alongside previous experience to motivate them. Maybe you give your cat treats, play time, or extra affection when you sing to them. Your singing may not make them come running but rather their knowledge that something good is coming their way.
Cats also understand human emotion. Due to adaptations from domestication, cats can react according to the emotional signals owners give off. They’ll search for escape when their owner acts fearful and seek closeness and attention when they’re happy. And who isn’t upbeat when they’re singing? Rather than responding to your music, your cat might react to your good mood.
Then there’s the question of whether cats even like music. We assume they enjoy the sound based on their actions, but they don’t provide any definitive feedback. Fortunately, scientists have answered some of these questions, and as it turns out, cats like music quite a bit! It’s just not what any of us might expect.
Multiple studies have fine-tuned our understanding of feline preferences and music’s emotional and physiological effects. Researchers investigated how different music genres affected a cat’s autonomic nervous system under anesthesia1.
Comparing pop, heavy metal, and classical music, they found cats differentiate rhythms and that the sounds affected ANS controls like respiration and pupil dilation. Classical music was associated with lower stress and more relaxation, and heavy metal to higher stress and anxiety.
An earlier study from 2015 looked at the effects of cat-specific music to see if cats would respond more to it than to music made for humans. The theory was that, like humans and many other animals, cats would prefer music that mirrored their species-specific frequency range, tempo, and other communication elements2.
As expected, cats were significantly more interested in their style, with older and younger cats showing the highest response. Another 2019 study looked at cat-specific music’s effects in stressful clinical settings3.
Cats listened to 10-minute samples of either classical music, cat music, or silence before an exam at the vet. Although classical music and silence had little effect, the cat-specific music led to reduced stress and more openness to handling.
With cat-specific music significantly impacting pets, you’re likely wondering what it sounds like. The music focuses on tones familiar to cats, using tempos and higher octaves that fit their natural communication patterns.
In the 2015 study on cat-specific music, researchers hypothesized that certain musical qualities that affect humans can affect other animals. They added elements like longer notes to be more calming and regular rhythms to induce positive states.
The researchers also layered in purring, suckling, and other rewarding sounds in feline vocalizations. Such noises are typical during nursing, which is a crucial period of emotional development for cats. The expectation was that the familiar sounds would evoke comforting feelings and a positive response from the cats.
The result is a collection of soothing, drawn-out, and often high-pitched tones. Violins, xylophones, pianos, and other classical instruments fill most of the ambient music while the low rumbling of a purring or suckling cat plays continuously in the background.
Considering their general tastes, you can experiment with these affiliative vocalizations in your singing. It might take practice, but you can try integrating the low rumbling sounds of purring or the calming legato tones typical of cat music. Test different combinations to see if any have a better effect than others.
You can also cheat a little by singing your cat’s name. It might be easier (and more fun) to find creative ways to combine their name into top 40 hits than to belt out original cat music, and their reaction to it may be the same. Cats can discriminate their name among others. If they associate hearing their name with a reward like treats or playtime, they could come running when you sing a tribute to them.
Maybe your cat loves your singing, or perhaps they’re showing interest because they know you’re happy. They won’t tell us for sure, but in the end, does it even matter? Your tunes have a positive meaning for your pets and make you happy in the meantime. Whatever your cat’s motivation, there’s no reason to hold back when you’re feeling a song in your heart.
Featured Image Credit: Gladskikh Tatiana, Shutterstock