The old belief that domestic cats are solitary animals has been debunked. Like all social animals, there are solitary domestic cats, but they are generally social by nature. In larger populations of cats, such as on many farms or in some large cities, social interactions between animals are evident. While most other cat species are solitary, the domestic cat, along with lions, is an exception to this rule. Unlike lions, which hunt together, domestic cats hunt alone. Due to the size of their prey, they are not dependent on other cats and can therefore survive on their own at any time.
Hunting behavior
Perhaps the most well-known behavior of domestic cats, often misinterpreted by owners as cruelty, is playing with captured prey. This is more of an instinctive need to ensure that the prey is weak enough to be killed safely. According to other scientific interpretations, this behavior is part of hunting practice or a consequence of the pleasure derived from hunting.
Social behavior
In rural areas, when cats are part of a household but outside direct human control, they often form small groups of related females, their kittens, and growing males. Many cats of different colors usually originate from a single cat that founded the community. While males generally disperse when they reach sexual maturity and seek new territories, females remain on their mother’s territory, thereby increasing the group size. They raise the kittens and drive away foreign intruders but are more tolerant of adult males, as they are larger and more aggressive. Even if they share food provided by humans, they remain solitary when hunting.
Communication
Cats communicate through body language, sounds, and scents. Olfactory signals are used for communication during face-to-face encounters as well as over long distances. The scent glands and sweat glands produce the necessary aromas, which are spread through rubbing, scratching, and urinating on objects, plants, and people.
Body language
When cats come into close contact, they signal their emotional state through their body posture and movements of their entire body and tail. The position of the ears and the dilation or constriction of the pupils also play a role. If the tip of an upright tail is highly bent, it may signify a friendly greeting or anticipation of what they expect from people, especially if the tip of the tail is slightly twitching. A tail held high with a slight curve at the tip may indicate joy, pleasure, anticipation, or excitement. When a cat has its tail raised, it generally feels comfortable and secure.
When relaxed, the tail is often held horizontally with a slight downward curve. If the tail is pointed downward and puffed up, it often signifies a threat and aggression. A twitching tail or rapid tail flicking indicates that the cat may be aggressive or irritated.