Social, Feeding and Predatory Behaviour 49
The domestic cat’s primary ancestor Felis s. lybica is primarily a solitary and
highly territorial animal, so it seems highly unlikely that dominance hierarchy is a
part of the domestic cat’s ancestral social structure. But social bonding and group
living, believed to be by-products of domestication, are recognized behaviours of the
domestic cat. Indeed, some early laboratory-based studies described cats as having
dominance hierarchies on the basis of the observations that some cats can achieve
priority access to food (Masserman and Siever, 1944; Cole and Shafer, 1966).
However, later studies on feral cat groups found that, although episodes of aggression
between group members can occur, there appears to be more evidence of coalition
than status-related conflict (Macdonald et al., 2000; Bradshaw, 2016a). Also, for
dominance hierarchies to be maintained, subordinate group members need to be able
to defer and demonstrate submission to higher-ranking individuals. Deferential sig-
nalling is very limited in the cat and aggressive or competitive encounters are more
likely to be avoided or deflected with defensive rather than submissive behaviours
(Bradshaw et al., 2012). Also, as self-reliant predators, with each individual hunting
to provide food only for him or herself, cats do not need the signalling repertoire
necessary to avoid conflict over shared food resources. It therefore seems unlikely that
dominance hierarchies are a normal part of the domestic cat’s social structure.
Neighbourhood cats
Relationships between neighbouring cats are rarely amicable and fights are not
uncommon, especially in areas of high feline population density. Neutering can
reduce the propensity for fighting because this removes sexual competition but only
to a point as space and access to hunting areas are also important resources to be
defended. Cats will also feel the need to defend their core territory and the resources
within it from potential feline invaders.
Fighting is not always inevitable, however, between neighbouring cats because
they can also employ means of conflict avoidance such as time-sharing access to spe-
cific areas, hiding, or accessing high places from where they can observe rivals and
physically avoid encounters.
Social behaviour with people
There is no doubt that close social relationships do develop between pet cats and their
owners, although the strength and quality of the cat’s relationship with the owner can
depend greatly on factors such as individual temperament and early socialization
with people (see Chapter 5) plus the general treatment, care and handling of the cat
by the owner.
How do our pet cats view us?
It is unknown exactly how our pet cats regard us. There is a common belief that they
view us as caregivers, as a kitten does its mother. This idea can be reinforced by the
fact that some cats direct kneading and even suckling behaviours towards their