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 grey fur, pale vertical stripes on the sides and around the face. It is native to Africa, West and Central Asia.
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And many behaviours that we recognise in our domestic cats are as a direct result of this wild ancestry, and these behaviours are completely natural to them.
Behaviours shared between African wildcats and domesticated cats include:
- Maintaining a large territory but have safe core areas within this, for normal everyday activities
- Hunting – not necessarily out of hunger, but also for the mental stimulation
- When faced with a stressful situation, they prefer escape, rather than to fight
- Sleep areas are safe and elevated within the core territory
- Toileting – they learn to dig and bury the evidence when toileting from a young age
Cats have been domesticated for thousands of years, and the behaviours they showcase will also depend on their individual personality. Whilst some cats often hunt and bring their ‘finds’ home with them, other cats may not ever seem to hunt.
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We know cats are ‘obligate carnivores’ which means they need to eat meat in order to remain healthy. They also need to be able to display natural behaviours, and this is especially important for house cats. They need:
- Encourage play; rod toys, toys to chase and pounce . Here are some ideas for homemade cat toys that will entertain felines for hours
- Provide plenty to explore
- Natural environment wherever possible
- Hunting viewpoints
- Scratch posts
- Lots of lots of space to run, play and hunt
- Visual and mental stimulation
- Natural light
- Naturally cats will seek out fresh, moving water - water fountains can fulfil this need.
- Place food in various locations throughout your home
Want to know what your cat is thinking? Here's how to understand their body language
Love cats? Check out our pets section for advice on cat care, from how to take your cat to the vet without stress to how to get rid of fleas and even how to stop cats pooping in your garden
About the PDSA
The PDSA is the UK's leading vet charity, providing free and low-cost treatment to pets in need. PDSA vets and vet nurses provide veterinary care and advice to sick and injured pets whose owners otherwise couldn’t afford to pay the full cost of treatment.
To find out more about cats, including feeding, health and behaviour, visit pdsa.org.uk/cats