Nature has given cats particularly subtle and varied means of communication, which enable them to detect the presence and emotional state of other cats or animals. They can therefore make an informed decision about whether to approach the other animal or not. When an encounter with a congener is unavoidable and not desired, all means of communication are deployed in a dissuasive strategy where bluffing is the name of the game.
Since cats are basically visual animals, they are especially sensitive to contrasts in light (they can distinguish differences of 10 Ð 12%) and to movement. They are able to detect a mouse moving at the ridiculous rate of 144 m/hr. Colour is not a decisive factor for cats. They can only detect blue and green with certainty. Contrary to common thought, cats are not able to see in complete darkness. However, they require six times less light than humans do to distinguish an object with the same degree of clarity. This means that they distinguish beings and depth better than humans do at night.Moreover, their whiskers provide an excellent additional source of information because they provide keen detection of objects thanks to gradients in heat and turbulence, which direct their nose and taste buds to the most favourable angle.The final olfactory advantage cats have is their vomer-nasal passage, which links the buccal cavity and the nasal cavity. At the top of this passage is the Jacobson's organ, which is lined with olfactive cells that are directly linked by nerve pathways to olfactory bulb. Because of this anatomical particularity, cats are considered to be macrosmic (animals that can detect a single odorant molecule whereas humans require several hundred). Cats therefore have a keen sense of smell and thus, emotions.Cats are generally thought to have a musical ear. They can detect differences of one tenth in high frequency tones and difference of one fourth in average frequency tones. It is also clear that in familiar settings, cats respond to their name and can distinguish their name from other names in the family. Most likely they are also responding to the voice tone and intonation of their owner because if it happens to be the veterinarian saying their name at his office, cats generally remain stone faced, once again proving their attachment to their owner. Although cats can subtly analyse the behaviour of others, they also allow their emotions to show, either directly or by leaving traces of their path. This deferred, or distance communication essentially involves leaving deposits of odors and visual marks.
They include urine and faeces deposits and sudoriferous gland secretions, are often referred to as "marking." It should be noted, however, that the very notion of marking presupposes that the odour deposit instils fear and causes the one who just smelled it to flee. This is the case with most Felidae, but with cats on the contrary, the odour deposit, especially if it is a urine deposit, incites the passer-by to cover over this deposit with another deposit and to continue on his way without fear. Consequently, the term odour deposits is more accurate as it does not make assumptions.Recently, some of these substances were isolated and synthesized in the form of a spray. The sprays were reported to have a calming effect, but at any rate they cannot solve everything. In cases of behavioural problems, it is always important to seek the advice of your veterinarian.Cats also leave their mark by scratching trees, furniture and sometimes the edge of the sofa. Several theories have been proposed. Some see this scratching as simply an original form of stretching. The cat stretches, especially upon awakening, and scratches anything that happens to get in the way of his paws. Others believe that when a cat scratches an object, it leaves secretions from the small glands located between the plantar pads. These glands are activated by fear, especially when the cat is at the veterinarian's office, and cat therefore leave their mark as well as visual traces in the form of slashes in softer material (leather sofas are often left in a sorry state!).The latter theory explains why commercial scratching posts do not work well. They do not convey a story. It is of course through direct communication that cats show their true talent as comedians and bluffers and sometimes their sense of tragedy. When cats encounter other cats, they use postures and vocal sounds and they transmit subtle messages to the other cat through movement of their whiskers and ears.
Cats use five main postures to communicate: 1: Friendly2: Confrontation3: Defensive4: Aggressive5: Threat
These postures depend on the emotions of the cat and the messages he wishes to communicate.The arched "cat back" is the best-known posture and the term is even used in everyday language. In this posture, the cat makes itself appear as frightening as possible. Its fur stands on end to make it look larger, his tail is puffed out like a bottlebrush and its pupils are extremely dilated. Conversely, during a friendly encounter its fur lies flat and its tail is bent in characteristic fashion.When a cat is in a threatening position: crouched down, growling, and with its claws extended, it is important not to interpret this posture as being a posture of submission as with dogs. In this position, the cat is ready to do anything to get out of the bad situation in which he finds himself and it will bite if the other party persists. Fights between cats are always spectacular to hear. In fact, there is often a lot of noise for nothing, which is just fine. Except for fights between male cats during mating season, when biting is serious, cat fights are more often than not merely long periods of waiting and preparing for battle backed up by growling. When the attack is launched, it is brief and lively, punctuated by impressive vocal sounds, and then it is over as soon as it began.These behaviours are frequently seen in games between two adult cats living together. Only experience will tell if it is really just a game or whether you need to take one of your cats to the veterinarian to be treated for aggression. When cats chase something or lick themselves, their ear pinna may be flipped back in order to obtain information, but they are always perfectly straight.Finally, it is not unusual to see that the ears are not symmetrical in their movements. This is because cats do not have "eyes in back of their heads" and they skilfully use the stereophonic gifts nature has given them and also because they are generally apt to change moods and the movement of their ears indicates the slightest variation.Whiskers are a form of vibrissa, the hair that is distinctly characteristic of mammals (except humans). The whisker base is five to six times larger than normal hair and is embedded in a sanguineous sinus, which creates hydraulic suspension. Their sensitivity to the slightest movement of air is therefore amplified.Arranged in groups of four or five in four rows around the nose, the whiskers change position according to the activities and emotions of the cat. During waking activities (chasing, lying in wait or friendly encounters), the whiskers are positioned in a arch of a circle. They are quickly pulled down during an attack. There are also vibrissa above the carp under the anterior side of the forelegs, just above the eyes and a few tufts on the jowls.
At least three different personalities live inside the head of the cat:- the hunter: very discrete, wants to see without being seen, moves silently;- the show-off: struts around during mating season, removes intruders from its path by arching its back and makes more noise than the others in order to protect its secret garden. A devilish bluffer, it does nonetheless step aside sometimes, since the rule among cats is to give the right of way to the first one to arrive;- the charmer: has taken up residence with humans for good, its needs are provided for (food), it is sheltered from the worries of living with others, it has all the time in the world to develop specific behaviours that would normally not be expressed except in these particular living conditions. Purring, kneading behaviour, social licking behaviour (licking the eyebrows of his owner when he comes home at night) and vocal sounds so rich and expressive that they are taken at their word, are all signs of domestication and its consequences.Cats organize their lives around different areas. They have areas for resting, eating, eliminating waste, and playing. There is also a temporary area for reproduction. If the cat is free roaming, there is a hunting area, which can be quite a large area (several hectares). Respecting this organization can avoid a lot of problems. Not respecting these areas on the other hand, can be the source of many behavioural problems.In an apartment, it is important for the elimination area to be as far as possible from the eating area. The resting area will vary depending on the amount of sunshine and the mood of the cat. The proximity of the owner or one of his family members also plays a role. Cats always look for sources of heat (radiators, comforters) and it is not unusual to see a cat sleeping next to the fireplace or on a piping hot radiator. Since cats are less sensitive to heat than humans, they take enjoy it as much as possible.The play area is the biggest area in their field of investigation because it is during their crazy chases (where they alone know what they are actually chasing) that they cover the most ground. Cats are particularly fond of high up places (such as the table or the top of the wardrobe) and the climbing they require. Cats are filled with joy when they can be at the same level as their owner's, face allowing them to have their own style "cat-to-cat" interaction by rubbing against their owner's cheek or forehead just like they would with another cat.
Log in
