In addition to providing your cat with the appropriate food and exercise, it's essential to meet their emotional needs and provide proper cat care to ensure their happiness. These needs vary based on their personality, age, and lifestyle. If your cat primarily stays indoors, they may rely more on you to fulfill their emotional well-being. Since they are intelligent and emotionally complex animals, keeping them content may require some effort and creativity, especially when they don't have the opportunity to engage their natural instincts outdoors for survival.
A brief history of the cat
Modern domestic cats can trace their ancestry back to wild cats that discovered the plentiful supply of mice near corn stores in ancient Middle Eastern and North African civilizations around 4,000 years ago. In today's world, pet cats are predominantly born and raised indoors, where they enjoy a life filled with love and care as cherished members of our families. This lifestyle is a stark contrast to the solitary hunting existence of their predecessors.
While there are more than 50 recognized breeds of pedigree cats worldwide, the most common and beloved feline companions are the delightful "moggies," with their charming assortment of coat patterns and colors.
Cat psychology
Cats have three primary "positive systems" that drive their behavior and fulfill their needs: the reward-seeking system, the care system, and the play system. Each system prompts specific behaviors as your cat seeks to satisfy those needs. For example, hunting can serve as both a reward-seeking behavior (aiming for the reward of catching prey) and a form of play.
In addition to these systems, cats possess other emotional systems such as lust, fear, panic, and rage. These emotional systems are common to all mammal species, ranging from mice to monkeys.
Similar to humans, cats have diverse emotional needs that require fulfillment. By providing opportunities for them to explore and engage in these needs, they can learn, develop strong bonds with you and others, and truly enjoy their lives. Understanding and addressing your cat's emotional needs is crucial, as fulfilling them contributes to a happy and content feline companion.
The reward-seeking system
In cat psychology, the "reward-seeking" aspect is what motivates cats to search for essential resources like food and water. It's a crucial instinct that helps them stay alive. Similar to humans, cats are also driven by reward-seeking when they seek out pleasurable experiences such as basking in the sun or engaging in play with their human companions. While these activities are not necessary for their survival, they are rewarding and produce positive feelings.
Although cats are now provided with balanced meals, their brains and emotional systems are still wired for hunting. While they may still engage in hunting behavior naturally, it's important to provide them with outlets to express this behavior so they don't become frustrated.
Instead of hunting actual prey (which some cats may still do), interactive games that involve chasing and pouncing can fulfill their hunting instincts. Using specially designed moving toys for cats, such as fishing rod toys or balls, allows them to engage in these behaviors and satisfy their needs. You'll witness their natural "eye-stalk-chase-grab-bite-kill" behavior as they play.
Not only is playing together a fun way to bond with your cat, but it also helps prevent common behavioral problems. To ensure your cat's happiness and fulfillment of this behavior, try stimulating them multiple times a day with fishing rod toys, balls, or even interactive play sessions with other friendly cats or the family dog.
The care system
The "care system" is a mammalian trait that facilitates bonding between parents and their offspring, leading to extended periods of care and nurturing. This behavior greatly benefits survival and continues to exist in cats today.
The care system also allows mammals, including humans, to form various types of relationships. Cats have evolved to maintain a friendly and dependent nature, reminiscent of kittens, even in adulthood. This is particularly evident when they are indoors, receiving love and care from their owners, despite being independent and confident hunters outdoors.
Some adult cats enjoy the company of other feline companions, while others may simply ignore them. Some cats may even defend their territory against other cats. Each cat has its own unique preferences and personality. Solitary cats are content as long as they have a caring owner like you.
To ensure a happy cat and a strong bond with them, it's important not to chase them around in an attempt to show affection, as this can cause them alarm and distance. Instead, pay attention to the signs of a content cat and respond to their requests for attention and physical contact whenever possible. Provide plenty of relaxed cuddling, gentle grooming, and petting, fostering a positive and affectionate relationship with your feline friend.
The play system
The "play system" refers to the innate need for cats to engage in play, which allows them to practice important skills such as hunting. Play is not just a means for kittens to interact with their littermates; it is an essential emotional system that contributes to a cat's overall well-being.
During play, especially in their younger years, cats express and refine reward-seeking behaviors that drive them to explore their environment. They enjoy engaging in behaviors from their hunting repertoire, such as stalking, chasing, pouncing, and even light biting. These behaviors are perfectly normal and indicate a happy cat.
As cats mature, they learn to regulate their rough play with their siblings or owners and direct their predatory instincts towards toys. However, gentle chasing and pouncing remain crucial for cats to develop healthy social relationships, particularly when multiple cats coexist in the same household.
When cats play in this manner, they are relaxed and unthreatened, allowing them to fulfill their bonding needs rooted in the care system. It can be said that "those who play together stay together!"
To keep your cat satisfied and strengthen your bond with them, it is important to provide daily stimulation of their play behaviors throughout their lives. Use a variety of cat toys that can be moved or jiggled, as these will provide great enjoyment for your feline companion.
Staying happy
Like all mammals, your cat needs to feel fulfilled to feel happy, so it is important that their innate behaviours find a regular outlet. Feeding, physical contact, grooming and playing together are things your cat loves doing with you – and luckily, they’re all part of the fun of having a pet and caring for a cat, too!
