From the article: Are Cats Really Solitary Animals?
One expert claims that cats are solitary animals and only seek human companionship to fill their physical needs. While I have my own thoughts and opinions about this claim, I'm more interested in seeing what my readers believe. You may post your opinions and experiences in the provided form.
NOTE: Questions or responses to others cannot be published. Think of this as your own mini-article. Share Your Opinion
cats adapt
- Cats get a reputation as being aloof partly because of the reputation itself. Cats are incredibly adaptable and if treated as such, they will be the stereotypical cat. Simply put: If cats are denied love, they want it less. If cats are smothered in love, they demand it more. Dogs differ because they feel most comfortable around their people while cats feel most comfortable around their home. People are more mobile than homes, therefore dogs are happier in more situations--especially where strangers are concerned. Unfortunately, people are content with this knowledge (or lack thereof) that cats are 'just cats' and many people don't have the time to get to know their unique personalities. My cats change their personalities depending upon my mood; not my day-to-day moods, but mood trends. If they sense that I have been in a prolonged cuddle mood, even the more independent one will be my shadow all day. Conversely, my usual shadow will sleep during the day if I am not in the mood.
- —Guest Mandy
cats are independent, not solitary
- There is a big difference between not having the pack mentality and being aloof/solitary. Having had cats and dogs live together in my home I know that both are equally playful, loving and fun. And they enjoy each other's company as much as (if not more than) they enjoy being with humans! :)
- —Guest maria
Better than people!
- I have had cats all my life. While some have been "solitary" animals, I have had several who were better at responding to my moods than my husband was! My 19 year old cat, Buster, was my "blankie" through some very rough times. I also have a Persian, Hugger, who follows me to bed every night, gets some petting and then settles down and sleeps with me. I wouldn't trade any of my cats for anything.
- —Patti_Fitzhugh
I guess my two haven't heard that...
- Both of my cats are very sociable with me and crave attention. They want their lap times, they want me to play with them, they want to be in the same room with me, they greet me at the door, they cuddle with me in bed. They also come out to visit my guests who come over, although they are much more reserved with them than with me. They knead on me, Coco licks my face - they are very loving with me. They also form relationships with each other, that sometimes remind me of my own relationships with my human siblings. They may not be pack animals, but they form strong bonds.
- —HOSTPat
It depends on their personality
- I believe that it depends on the cats personality. The very first cat that I had was picky about her food, and liter. She did not like children in the house and would stay out of sight unless she wanted to be bothered. I had other cats in between that one and the one that I have now. I must, the first one and the one that I have now are the total opposite. The cat that I have now loves attention, she is laying up under my arm as I share, she follows me around the house like a puppy, and when I come home she runs through the house because she is so happy. She is not picky about what she eats or uses (liter), she has never hissed, or scratched us no matter what was done to her. She is the sweetest cat I ever had.
- —Guest Carla
Disagree
- I adopted some free roaming cats that weren't being taken care of. I fixed and innoculated them and take them to the vet as needed. They have lots of food and outdoor shelter and I give them lots of attention. I can't bring them inside. My cat attacks them. The pound will kill them. All the cat rescues are full and I have been trying to find homes for them for 2 years. Nobody wants them. These cats are free roaming for lack of better options. I don't like it but there is no other viable solution. I consider myself more responsible; not less. I didn't seek out these cats. They found me. They are well cared for. It's unfortunate that I cannot find indoor homes for them.
- —Guest Twinkle
Solitary are you kidding?
- My Spice wants to know where I am and what I am up to all of the time. When I have to leave home she cries and tries to hide my purse. One occasion I found that she hid it under the bed. We I return home she is at the door welcoming me. Sometimes She cries and pleas for us not to leave. She follows me everywhere I go in the house. Wanting to know everything that I do.
- —Guest pam
Cat love
- When my cats come in the house they seek me out for attention BEFORE they head to the food dish (which is always full) without fail.
- —Guest Pheobe
Bond with my cat
- My cat lies on the pillow beside me every night. Sometimes she lies her head on my and rubs my face like a caress. If I ask for a kiss, she always gives me a lick on the nose. She follows me no matter where I am in the house. If I'm not home, she will be in whatever room my kids are in. She will even greet us at the front door. I believe she is not solitary and craves the company of her "family".
- —Guest Shari
Bond with my cat
- My cat lies on the pillow beside me every night. Sometimes she lies her head on my and rubs my face like a caress. If I ask for a kiss, she always gives me a lick on the nose. She follows me no matter where I am in the house. If I'm not home, she will be in whatever room my kids are in. She will even greet us at the front door. I believe she is not solitary and craves the company of her "family".
- —Guest Shari
Feral Cats can be domesticated
- I have known a few feral cats since recently moving to an area in Miami that is inundated with stray/feral cats. I have my own indoor cat that I adore but I have started feeding the outside cats because I cannot ignore the fact that they have nobody steady who looks after them and have gotte close to a couple of them who allow me to touch them and are sweet and loving, One female one atually will ignore the food when I first put it out because she actually preffers for me to pet her first before she eats while taking the chance that other cats will eat her food. Cats are wonderful, smart loving animals.
- —Guest TEresa
Are cats really solitary animals.
- What about feral cats,including kittens?!Are they in any way capable of "rehab"?
- —Guest Jay
Cats are not Solitary
- We had a stray cat where I work and it had kittens. The weather was nasty that day, the cat came to me and showed me where her kittens where so I could bring them out of the cold and wet , inside to a warm place. I sence then have brought the cat home and it is now living in my garage as I have 3 dogs inside the house. But every day I make time to spend with my new cat friend and she follows me were ever I go. She even follows me into the car for car rides and to the shop. I didn't see her for a day and I let her out over night and the next day she was gone only to show up at my work, she came looking for me and that was over a mile away in a small town, she had to cross over a bridge to get to me, but there she was and she came home with me again. She now everyday lays in my lap as I go outside to see her and she will take my shirt in her mouth and knedd me with her paws the same time. We have learned to comunicate. I once beleived they were solitary but not anymore
- —Guest Tassilo erath
Astrid
- I've lived with many cats throughout my life, but the first cat I adopted myself was a tiny kitten I named Astrid. Though I only had about 7 wonderful months with her, I don't know if I've ever experienced a purer love from another living being. It was like she had an awareness of others that transcended the gap between different streams of consciousness. When I brought her home, I carried her with me for several days either in my arms, or in a sling if I needed to use my hands. I feel that this was a very important bonding time for us. She's the only cat I ever knew who would lift up her little paws and ask to be held. She's also the only cat I've known who would look me in the eyes, just like a person would. As she grew up, she began to try to take care of me, too. She would lick my face constantly, smell my eyes, nose and mouth, and even try to "protect" me from thunder. Astrid was literally like my child, and losing her was the most painful experience I've ever been through.
- —Guest Anika
cats are social critters
- I have six of them, they get jealous of each other and my oldest, she is 17, is Miss Queen B. One time my son was petting the younger cats and she came along, nudged one of them out of the way with her head and swatted the other one then crawled onto my son's lap and pressed her head against his hand. I love cats, have lots more stories I could tell and I think they are definately social unless made to live alone and they do fine that way as well. I think ferral cats congregate into groups as well...maybe around food spots such as dumpsters, but they still have learn to live together socially. My cats meow when they need something like food, water, clean litter, or outside.
- —Guest angel
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