Publications internationales Social organization in the cat: a modern understanding

Social organization in the cat: a modern understanding

Sharon L. Crowell-Davis*, Terry M. Curtis, Rebecca J. Knowles

Revue : Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery

Department of Anatomy and Radiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA

Revised 13 August 2003; accepted 25 September 2003

Summary An increasing body of research work has made it clear that, while Felis catus can survive in the solitary state, social groups with an internal structure, are formed whenever there are sufficient food resources to support them. Most people who have cats have two or more cats. Failure to understand what will promote either friendly or aggressive behavior can lead to various behavior problems, including aggression and conflict over resources, such as food, resting sites and litterboxes. An understanding of the natural social organization, relationships and communication between cats is therefore essential, and is the subject of this paper.

© 2004 ESFM and AAFP. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

* Corresponding author. Tel.: +1-706-542-8343; fax: +1-706-542-0051

Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery (2004) 6, 19?28

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