They live in the same space and form friendly relationships, but they may not be a close group. Credit: Koyasu et al., CC-BY 4.0 (creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
A new analysis examines the links between domestic cats’ hormone levels, gut microbiomes and social behavior, shedding light on how these solitary animals live at high densities. Hikari Koyasu of Azabu University in Kanagawa, Japan, and colleagues report these findings in the open access journal PLUS ONE on July 27, 2022
Most cat species exhibit solitary and territorial behavior, but domestic cats often live in high densities, raising the question of what strategies cats use to establish cohabiting groups. Cats’ social behavior can be influenced by hormones and the mix of different types of microbes living in their guts – known as the gut microbiome. Studying these factors can help clarify the group dynamics of cohabiting cats.
To that end, Koyasu and colleagues conducted a two-week study of 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 those with high testosterone were more likely to try to escape. Meanwhile, cats with low cortisol and low testosterone are more tolerant of their interactions with other cats. The researchers also found greater similarity of gut microbiomes between cats that had more frequent contact with each other, and found links between the gut microbiome, social behavior and cortisol levels.
Low concentrations of testosterone and cortisol in cats allow them to share space and live together, but the higher the oxytocin, the less affiliative behavior with others and the lonelier they are. The function of oxytocin is different from that of close affinity. Credit: Koyasu et al., CC-BY 4.0 (creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
Meanwhile, contrary to the researchers’ expectations from studies of animals that normally live in groups, cats with high levels of the hormone oxytocin did not show the bonding behavior described as “socially affiliative.” This suggests that oxytocin may function differently for normally solitary animals living in groups than for animals that normally live in groups.
The researchers outline possible directions for future research to further deepen understanding of the dynamics of cohabiting cats, such as a follow-up study that observes cats over several months rather than just two weeks, and investigations to discover cause-and-effect relationships between hormones and social behavior.
The authors add: “Low concentrations of testosterone and cortisol in cats allow them to share space and live together, but the higher the oxytocin, the less friendly behavior with others and the more lonely they are. Oxytocin’s function is other than that of group-mate affinity. Cats may not consider other individuals living in the same space as closely related group members.”
Veterinarians identify problems in cats with dysbacteriosis More information: Correlations between behavior and hormone or gut microbiome concentrations suggest that domestic cats (Felis silvestris catus) living in a group are not like “groupmates”, FLOOR ONE (2022). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0269589 Courtesy of Public Library of Science
Citation: Study of factors that may underlie how domestic cats can live in groups (2022, July 27), Retrieved July 28, 2022, from
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