Being cared for by humans significantly influences the inherited social structure of domestic cats (Felis catus), shaping their behaviors and interactions in ways that differ from their wild ancestors. Here are some key effects:
1. Increased Social Tolerance
- Wild and feral cats are typically solitary, with territories that overlap only minimally.
- Domestic cats raised by humans, especially in multi-cat households, often develop higher social tolerance.
- They may form loose hierarchical structures, with dominant and subordinate individuals, though this remains flexible compared to rigid pack structures seen in canines.
2. Reduced Need for Territorial Defense
- In the wild, cats defend hunting territories to ensure access to food.
- Human-provided food reduces this necessity, allowing for more communal living and reducing aggression over resources.
- However, conflicts can still arise in multi-cat environments, particularly if space or resources are limited.
3. Retention of Kitten-Like Behaviors (Neoteny)
- Cats raised by humans often retain juvenile traits into adulthood.
- They may seek attention, play, or knead like kittens do with their mothers.
- This prolonged dependency alters natural weaning behaviors and extends social bonding with humans and other cats.
4. Modified Communication Patterns
- Domestic cats meow frequently when interacting with humans, a behavior rarely used between adult feral cats.
- They develop unique vocalizations and body language tailored to their human caregivers.
- Social grooming and other affiliative behaviors may be more common in multi-cat homes than in the wild.
5. Flexible Group Dynamics
- While domestic cats do not form strict hierarchical packs like dogs, they can live in colonies, especially where food is abundant.
- Mother cats may even cooperate in kitten-rearing in some environments, a behavior that is less common in strictly feral settings.
Conclusion:
Being cared for by humans alters the inherited social structure of cats by fostering social tolerance, reducing territorial aggression, promoting neotenous behaviors, and modifying communication patterns. While domestic cats still retain solitary tendencies, they exhibit a level of social flexibility not typically seen in their wild ancestors.
