Mary Allen
Scientists have long thought that there is no such thing as a hierarchy or fixed social structure in cat groups. It was said that cats were individualists and loners who were happy without the company of their own kind. Today we know: That’s not true. However, the “pecking order” among furry friends is not as clear and unambiguous as it is in a pack of dogs, for example.
In multi-cat households or when outdoor cats meet the neighboring cats outside, subtle signs can be seen on closer observation that reveals the hierarchy in the respective cat groups. But how do the furry friends determine who the highest-ranking kitty is and what factors influence this social structure?
Are Cats Solitary or Social Creatures?
Of the large feline family, lions were thought to be the only species that could be considered social creatures for a while. A species is considered social when the animals that belong to it enter into solid relationships with one another and thus establish a certain hierarchy – like dogs or lions in the pride. The other cats, including our beloved house tiger, were regarded as individualistic loners who didn’t care much about the company of their fellow cats. But then scientists found out that bobcats and cheetahs also live in groups and establish a certain hierarchy there. Recently, researchers have discovered that there appears to be a hierarchy and social structure even in domestic cat groups.
Hierarchy in Cat Groups is Very Complex
As late as the 1970s, experts were still convinced that cat groups consisted of motley individuals who happened to be in the same place at the same time because there was something to eat there. Their theory was that hunger seemed to outweigh the need to defend one’s territory. Of course, there are also solitary velvet paws who don’t value the company of cats and who are content as a single cat. But most cats appreciate it if they can at least occasionally communicate with other cats – for example when they are outdoors on a tour of their territory. Domestic tame cats can also form a very intimate and loving relationship with their favorite human, especially if they have been hand-reared.
The reason for assuming that our house tigers are independent rebels with no interest in their fellow cats is probably due to the complexity of the structure of cat groups. The hierarchy is not fixed at some point and then stays that way, but is flexible and can vary as circumstances change. In addition, differences between female cat groups and tomcat friendships can be observed. The structure is different again when all the tomcats and cats in the community are neutered.
How is the Ranking Among Fur Noses Determined?
The place in the hierarchy of cat groups a fur nose occupies depends on various factors. It’s not like the biggest, strongest, most bossy cat in the community will usurp the crown and keep it for the rest of his life. For example, the state of health, inner peace, and self-confidence are more important if a house cat wants to occupy a top place in the hierarchy. If a velvet paw community consists of female animals, a close family bond can often be observed. Sisters, aunts, grandmothers, and mother cats form a group, protect each other, look after and sometimes suckle the litter of the other mothers, and defend their kittens from being aggressive tomcats who only want to spread their own genes and do something to the foreign offspring. The hierarchy among females is rather subtle, but it exists. Older female cats who have had offspring more often enjoy a higher status, unless they become ill, in which case it decreases again.
Male cats do not form such fixed groups, but form friendships with their own kind, which are also called “brotherhoods”. The hierarchy is more clearly regulated there but only applies in connection with the hangover brotherhood. In his own territory, a young tomcat that is at the bottom of the “pecking order” in the group of tomcats can also be the boss. Turf battles serve to clarify the hierarchy within the group, especially young tomcats who are new to the area must first prove themselves before they are accepted into the illustrious circle of the brotherhood. If he fails, he may have to give up his territory and will be bullied by the other tomcats.
Importance of the Hierarchy Structure for the Multi-Cat Household
The highest-ranking kitty in a shared cat community has certain privileges: she gets to eat first and chooses the best seats, which then belong to her. You can tell which of your furry friends enjoys the highest status by closely observing their body language and behavior. The “Queen” walks straight into a room and confidently sits in her favorite spot, which offers the most benefits for cats. In winter it’s the warm spot by the heater or the fireplace, in summer it’s the highest and best vantage point. Lower-ranking animals tend to sneak along the wall and get the less attractive places. In addition, the cats rub their cheeks on the highest-ranking velvet paw, which only receives the head nudge. There are scent glands in the cat’s cheeks and by rubbing the smells of the house cats mix and create a community. This is very important for social bonding. The cats that are further down the hierarchy take the first step.
The social structure of a multi-cat household can easily become unbalanced when things change. These can be small things, like the changing of the seasons, which change the favorite places. A rearrangement of the furniture or even a move also makes it necessary for the shared cat community to reorient itself. It can become problematic when a cat becomes ill or dies, as the whole hierarchy then gets confused. This can lead to stress, restlessness, and aggressiveness.