Domesticated cats are thought to descend from African wildcats, says PDSA Vet Nurse Nina Downing. The African wildcat is a small wildcat species with sandy gray fur, pale vertical stripes on the edges and across the face. It is native to Africa, West and Central Asia.
How wild is your cat?
And many behaviours that we recognise in our home cats are as a direct results of this wild ancestry, and these behaviours are utterly pure to them.
Behaviours shared between African wildcats and domesticated cats embody:
- Maintaining a big territory however have secure core areas inside this, for regular on a regular basis actions
- Hunting – not essentially out of starvation, but additionally for the psychological stimulation
- When confronted with a nerve-racking scenario, they like escape, moderately than to combat
- Sleep areas are secure and elevated throughout the core territory
- Toileting – they be taught to dig and bury the proof when toileting from a young age
Cats have been domesticated for 1000’s of years, and the behaviours they showcase may also depend upon their individual persona. Whilst some cats typically hunt and produce their ‘finds’ home with them, different cats might not ever appear to hunt.
We know cats are ‘obligate carnivores’ which implies they should eat meat with a view to stay wholesome. They additionally want to have the ability to show pure behaviours, and that is particularly essential for home cats. They want:
- Encourage play; rod toys, toys to chase and pounce . Here are some concepts for homemade cat toys that may entertain felines for hours
- Provide lots to discover
- Natural surroundings wherever attainable
- Hunting viewpoints
- Scratch posts
- Lots of plenty of area to run, play and hunt
- Visual and psychological stimulation
- Natural mild
- Naturally cats will search out contemporary, transferring water – water fountains can fulfil this want.
- Place meals in varied places all through your home
Want to know what your cat is pondering? Here’s how you can perceive their physique language
Love cats? Check out our pets part for recommendation on cat care, from how you can take your cat to the vet with out stress to how you can do away with fleas and even how you can cease cats pooping in your backyard
About the PDSA
The PDSA is the UK’s main vet charity, offering free and low-cost therapy to pets in want. PDSA vets and vet nurses present veterinary care and recommendation to sick and injured pets whose house owners in any other case couldn’t afford to pay the total cost of therapy.
To discover out extra about cats, together with feeding, well being and behavior, go to pdsa.org.uk/cats
