When it comes to cats, we know that they are all individuals by nature. You might have a cat that loves people and greets any newcomer into your home upon arrival. Or, you could have a cat that prefers to do their own thing and doesnโt like to be bothered much. Regardless of your catโs specific personality and preferences, many people naturally assume that cats are loners. But, is there any truth behind that? Read here to find out if cats are lonersโand the interesting science and research that suggests the truth behind that answer.
Some cats prefer to live without the presence of other cats
It doesnโt matter what type of cat person you are, all cat people know that some cats just canโt seem to get along with other cats. For cats who are not fans of other cats, living a life as the only cat in the household is often ideal for their mental health. And cats that donโt like other cats can often get along just fine with people and other pets in their home, such as dogs. Cats are highly territorial beings, and for certain cats that are quick to react in the presence of another feline, allowing them to be the only cat in your household can help relieve a lot of stress for all parties involved. For most cats, living in a home with another cat is the preferred situation for them so that they can get the mental stimulation and companionship they so crave from another feline. This is the main reason why so many of us have multicat households. You, know, aside from the fact that itโs hard to be the keeper of just one cat!
Cats are independent animals
Your cat knows where their next meal is coming from, and they know that youโre going to be the one to scoop the poop out of their litter box, too. One of the many charms of keeping a cat is that you donโt have to worry about taking your cat for a walk in the rain or the snow. Thereโs also the luxury that you could go out of town for an evening and your cat would be fine in your absence. Aside from the fact that all cats are independent, cats do need their people. Some cats just need them more than others. Cats who did not receive proper socialization with people during their kittenhood might be more reserved and shy compared to cats who did. Therefore, these cats might come across as more aloof than your average cat. No matter your catโs level of aloofness, when it comes to cat naps, this can be a time of day when all cats might seem aloof. Cats typically go hide during this time because they do not want to be disturbed when they are deep sleeping!
Your cat might seem aloof at times
Sometimes we might feel as if our cats ignore us. They could be in deep thought. Or maybe even a trance-like state focusing on that tiny bug on your ceiling. Whatever the reason may be, being aloof is not the same as being antisocial. Sometimes, itโs in a catโs nature to come across as solitary.
In the wild, many big cat species live alone. Domesticated cats can form tight bonds with the people and pets in their homes. If your cat seems suddenly distant, think about what is going on in their life. Cats experience grief and loss just like humans do, and if there have been any extreme changes, such as the loss of another pet or a change to their health, they might choose to retreat in solidarity as a means to cope with the emotions they are experiencing.
In multicat homes, there is almost always a dominant feline. In these situations, you might find that another cat in the home is the โloner catโ so to speak. These feline social structures in your home can result in one cat being more reclusive as a way to keep the peace and avoid conflict.
Thinking cats are loners will do them more harm than good
The truth is that domesticated cats are social beings that crave attention and connection to others. People who have not spent much time with cats might be quick to assume that cats are loners based on common misconceptions that have been placed on cats for centuries. In an article published in The New Statesman, author John Gray examines one of the many ways in which we can admire felines. He shares that,
โThe independence of cats is one of the features most admired by those of us who love them. Given their evolutionary history as solitary hunters, it is easily explained. Seeking their prey alone, cats โ with the exception of lions and sometimes cheetahs โ have not developed patterns of collective action and hierarchy of the kind found in dogs and other pack animals. โHerding catsโ is a metaphor based on fact: cats donโt live in herds.โ
Despite their admirable independence, cats canโand willโget lonely. If theyโre left unattended for too long or do not have sufficient interactions with the people and pets in their home, cats will suffer greatly.
Have you ever wondered how long you can leave a cat alone? There isnโt an exact right or wrong answer, but there are some key factors you must first consider before making big plans and packing your bags. Read all about it here in this next article on CattitudeDaily.com.
