It is well known that cats are obligate carnivores , meaning their dietary requirements are more specific than those of dogs , and they are also much less tolerant of other dietary components ( Rochlitz , 2009 ). Cats also have particular habits when it comes to feeding and drinking behaviour ( Rochlitz , 2009 ), and it is important that owners are made aware of these . A key , and often overlooked , consideration is the provision of food and water . For example , inappropriate placement of food and water bowls can impact on normal behaviour . With food often being left available around the clock , it is important that food , water and latrine areas are separated to avoid contamination of either food or water .
Consider how feral cats will feed : a combination of small mammal prey they have hunted and household food they have either scavenged or had left out for them . It will be eaten in 10 – 20 small , prey-sized meals a day ( Rochlitz , 2009 ; MacDonald , 2016 ). Domestic cats will often , by preference , demonstrate feeding behaviour that mimics this by grazing when food is provided ad libitum . It is worthwhile noting that this is not always an appropriate method of feeding – some cats will consume any and all food offered , potentially leading to obesity , either because the food is palatable or because of competition in multi-cat households ( Rochlitz , 2009 ). Early experience will often determine an individual cat ’ s preference in how they consume their food .
SENSES
Cats ’ four primary senses – hearing , smell , vision and touch – are generally considered heightened in comparison to the senses of humans ( Rodan , 2010 ). A variety of sensory stimulation methods can be incorporated as enrichment for cats in the home and veterinary environments ( Rochlitz , 2009 ). Examples range from small catnip-based toys for domestic cats , to large perfume-infused sacking or bedding used with captive tigers ( ZSL , n . d .) ( Figure 2 ), as well as those designed to elicit natural predatory behaviour through play , such as chase or ‘ teaser ’ toys . An understanding of how the senses affect and shape behaviour also provides a foundation for determining the cause of problematic behaviour .
COMMUNICATION
Rochlitz ( 2009 ) identifies several methods used by cats for communicating with different targets – be they conspecifics , other cohabiting domesticated species or humans . Visual and olfactory communication are the most widely used . Touch / tactile communication is an important part of social behaviour . Vocalisation plays a key role in the bond between cats and humans , as well as having social significance ( Rochlitz , 2009 ; Rodan , 2010 ). Much of a cat ’ s vocal repertoire , particularly the ‘ miaow ’, is rarely heard outside of interactions with humans . Exceptions apply within agonistic , sexual and mother – offspring interactions ( Brown & Bradshaw , 2014 ), where the purr , chirrup and hiss , among others , are commonly heard . ( Agonistic behaviour is considered separate from aggressive behaviour . It includes displays ( including threats ), retreat from hostile situations , placation of others and conciliatory behaviour .)
VISUAL COMMUNICATION
A cat ’ s body language is pivotal in communicating with both conspecifics and humans . Posture , tail position and facial expressions are widely used in identifying , among other things , fearful cats , those in pain and those who are friendly .
OLFACTORY COMMUNICATION
Cats have a sense of smell more acute than that of humans and , as such , they respond more to olfactory cues than other species ( Rodan , 2018 ). It is believed to be their primary sense so , in a behavioural case , these cues should be considered as much as any other , if not more so . Olfactory cues are also strongly linked with both tactile communication and pheromones . The cat will commonly scent mark within its territory using tactile methods , such as rubbing and scratching , to deposit pheromones .
PHEROMONES
Much olfactory stimulation involves the use of pheromones as chemical signals , which are used by many species , not only cats , as long-term and remote ‘ messages ’. These enable information to be communicated between conspecifics ( as we will be concentrating on in these articles ) without the need for direct contact .
Figure 2 . Tigers interacting with scented bedding .
It is well known among veterinary professionals and , increasingly , clients that the use of pheromone products such as Feliway ( Ceva ) can be helpful in behavioural cases . Pheromone therapy is widely used in veterinary practices to encourage a ‘ friendly ’ atmosphere , but
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