Learning the Secret Language of Cats by Dr. Carol Teed

Author:Dr. Carol Teed [Teed D.V.M., Dr. Carol]
Language: ita
Format: epub
ISBN: ISBN
Publisher: Influence Publishing Inc
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

A Note on Dominance and Territorialism

It is true that large colonies of cats will form loose associations in feral groups. It is also true that very little argument will erupt in these groups, unless a new cat moves in and order must be renewed or the new cat flees. Yet, these cats know where they are in the pecking order. They know who is boss. And they know what a flick of a tail or a slight arch of the back means. Dominance is subtle in cats. They choose to live peacefully together and they are reasonable. They don’t need to fight to maintain order.

Felines choose between these larger numbers of cats that they wish to stay close to, just as we humans do. They can easily avoid a cat that bothers them, or threatens them repeatedly, by just keeping a safe distance. They understand how territories overlap and where the inner core is where they are not permitted, and where they are welcome to spend time together and where they are not. There are no walls or windows to constrain their demonstrations or to prevent their finding their peace when they need to.

In the multi-cat indoor scenario, cats lose all control of their environment. If they don’t like their housemate or the cat they see outdoors is provoking them, they cannot do anything about it. I can just imagine their frustration. It is always very sad when a pet dies. However, it is a common realization after the fact, that the remaining cat is overjoyed to be out from under the paw of his dominant housemate. Cats that owners have always assumed to be aloof, antisocial, or skittish suddenly are strutting through the house with confidence and not a care in the world, purring, and attending to their owner the way they always wanted to.

I’m sure many of you have also seen a housecat run from window to window screeching an almost blood-curdling scream at a cat prowling outdoors. Our Watson does this when a neighbour cat comes into his line of vision. It does not mean that he would fight with this cat if he met him or saw him out of doors, but he would make his feelings known about trespassing on his territory. If Watson had been able to deposit scent where he felt appropriate, and was able to make his patrols of the periphery, the neighbour cat probably wouldn’t have dared. Eventually, the cats may even become friends.

So subtle is a cat’s dominance that we often miss it altogether. When I ask a client whom they feel is the most dominant of their cats, they are often puzzled by the idea and feel that all their cats get along very well, groom each other, eat together, and sleep together. But there is always a dominant cat. He may share resources very amiably, like his favourite chair for instance, but he will have it when the sun is shining upon it, or when you are sitting with your afternoon tea.

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