The cat is the French's favorite pet*.
He knows how to charm human beings, as evidenced by our fascination with videos of kittens or cats.
But his behaviors can also give rise to misunderstandings.
What if we just don't know how to decode cats?
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The cat, a great loner
To understand the cat, we must remember that it is a solitary animal.
Let's be blunt: the cat is not considered a social species, unlike the dog.
Hugues Martinat, cat behaviorist and founder of Équilicat, recalls that in natural conditions, the kitten, once weaned, is pushed by its mother to leave.
This phenomenon, called dispersal, makes it a solitary animal.
But that doesn't mean cats aren't affectionate.
It depends on the individual, their temperament, socialization and genetic heritage.
“The cat species is a solitary animal but individuals defy the rule
,” summarizes the behaviorist.
Good to know
The first weeks of the kitten's life, between 2 and 8 weeks, will determine the individual's tolerance for relationships with humans.
If he has had bad experiences, difficult handling at the veterinarian, he will not be inclined to be close to an owner.
Recent domestication
The distant attitude of the cat can also be explained by a more recent domestication than that of the dog: 12,000 BCE, versus 15,000 for the dog (or even 30,000, according to scientific sources).
The wild cat moved closer to man when he became sedentary.
With the preservation of cereals and the arrival of mice, the cat became useful to man.
It would therefore be more accurate to say that the cat is tamed rather than domesticated, because it has remained free, autonomous and independent.
Cats first selected for their appearance
Cats have a reputation for being distant and not very obedient.
But for Anne-Claire Gagnon, veterinarian, it’s
“because they have strong temperaments.
Unlike dogs, they do not seek to please us, and even less to be servile.
They do what motivates them, when they like it.
»
The domestic cat carries with it the behavior of wild cats.
“
Unlike
dogs, selected on their olfactory
and
working capacities
, cats were until very recently
selected on their beauty
.
”
That is to say on appearance, coat, color and not on their docility.
The cat tolerates humans but does not need them
By nature, the cat is a predator but also a prey.
He can be attacked by birds of prey, foxes... This is why he often hides his emotions.
For some owners, it is less "readable" than a dog, who may bark if he is happy or even cry.
An intermittent relationship with his master
“
If we adapted Maslow's pyramid of fundamental needs for the cat
,
social contact would not appear at the bottom of the pyramid, unlike humans or
dogs ,
”
explains Hugues Martinat.
The cat does not need company all the time.
“
Some cats enjoy the
holidays
, when the
apartment
is empty and they only have a visit from a
cat-sitter
each day,”
says Ms. Gagnon
.
They are rarely bored:
sleeping
, dreaming,
playing alone
is in their nature.”
Maslow's pyramid.
Le Figaro
Note also that the cat likes to choose its relationships.
He can be close with one member of the family and not with another, and prefers to live alone rather than poorly accompanied!
Predominant behavioral needs
Being able to express its natural behavior is more important for the cat than what humans offer it.
We must therefore let him act according to his nature: hunt, jump, climb, scratch his claws...
“When there is a behavioral problem, it is because the environment is not adapted to his needs
,” warns Hugues Martinat .
The cat is very stickler for consent
The cat generally does not appreciate too intrusive contact.
stock.adobe.com
Except for certain “clingy” animals, cats generally do not appreciate too intrusive contact, nor being solicited too often.
He generally prefers calm people.
The cat does not react to attempts at domination.
“Doing what we please is a way of educating us to seek consent
,” explains Anne-Claire Gagnon.
It is therefore better to let him approach and let him choose the armchair if you are on the sofa.
Paying attention to body language allows you to decode your emotions.
If he wags his tail, he shows annoyance and discomfort.
And not at all joy or excitement like in a dog... So you have to stop petting him.
Same if he puts his ears back.
He might bite.
When in doubt, how should you behave around a cat?
“
Humans often have the weakness of modeling their own functioning on that of the cat, and lack imagination in thinking that everyone functions like them.
Even two humans can be different!
», recalls the veterinarian.
Be wary of your interpretations: thinking that the cat wants to eat when it is just looking for an interaction;
believing that when he is lying down, all 4 irons and his stomach in the air, is an invitation for a cuddle when that is rarely the case... He is simply relaxed, confident.
Believing that a cat that comes to see us or sits on our lap because it wants to be petted is a mistake.
He shows his affection but it stops there.
“
He just wants to be there, with you
,” explains the veterinarian.
Recognize the feline’s refusal
We don't know how to fully understand them.
“
The ethologist Charlotte de Mouzon,
explains Anne-Claire Gagnon
, recently showed that humans decode contentment, solicitation,
predation relatively well
but poorly the cat's discontent.
Clearly, we don't always see that he says NO.
» According to her, the keys to understanding cats are
“attention, ethological knowledge and the desire to expect nothing (and welcome everything)
”.
*
According to an Ifop survey (1) from July 2020