They live in the same space and form friendly relationships, but they may not be close groupmates. Source: Koyasu et al., CC-BY 4.0 (creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
A new analysis examines the relationships between hormone levels, gut microbiomes and social behavior in house cats, and sheds light on how these solitary creatures live in high densities. Hikari Koyasu from Azabu University in Kanagawa, Japan, and colleagues present these results on July 27, 2022 in the open access journal PLOS ONE.
Most cat species exhibit solitary and territorial behaviors, but domestic cats often live in high densities, raising questions about the strategies cats employ to form cohabiting groups. Cats’ social behavior can be influenced by hormones and the mix of different types of microbes that live in their gut – known as the gut microbiome. Studying these factors could help shed light on the group dynamics of cohabiting cats.
With that in mind, Koyasu and colleagues conducted a two-week study involving three different groups of five cats living together in a shelter. They used video cameras to observe the cats’ behavior, measured hormone levels in their urine and collected feces to assess the mix of microbial species in the cats’ microbiomes.
Statistical analysis of the data revealed that cats with high levels of the hormones cortisol and testosterone had less contact with other cats, and cats with high testosterone were more likely to attempt escapes. Meanwhile, cats with low cortisol and testosterone levels were more tolerant in their interactions with other cats. The researchers also found greater similarity in the gut microbiome between cats who had more contact with each other, and they found links between the gut microbiome, social behavior and cortisol levels.
Low levels of testosterone and cortisol in cats allow them to share space and live together, but the higher the oxytocin level, the less bonding they have with others and the more lonely they are. The function of oxytocin was different from that of pantyhose affinity. Source: Koyasu et al., CC-BY 4.0 (creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
Contrary to what the researchers expected from research on animals that typically live in groups, cats with high levels of the hormone oxytocin did not exhibit attachment behaviors that are described as “socially connected.” This suggests that oxytocin might work differently in typically solitary animals that live in groups than in animals that typically live in groups.
The researchers outline possible directions for future research to further deepen the understanding of the dynamics of cohabiting cats, such as:
The authors add: “Low levels of testosterone and cortisol in cats allow them to share space and live together, but the higher the oxytocin level, the less bonding they have with others and the more lonely they are.” The function of oxytocin was different from that of affinity for a groupmate. Cats may not view other people living in the same space as close-knit groupmates.
Veterinarians identify problems in cats with dysbacteriosis
More information:
Correlations between behavior and hormone levels or gut microbiome imply that domestic cats (Felis silvestris catus) living in a group are not like “groupmates”, PLoS ONE (2022). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0269589 Provided by the Public Library of Science
Citation: Exploring factors that may underlie how domestic cats can live in groups (2022, July 27), retrieved July 28, 2022 from https://phys.org/news/2022-07-exploring-factors-underlie -domestic-cats.html
This document is protected by copyright. Except for fair trade for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without written permission. The content is for informational purposes only.