Wild kittens play together like they'll be best friends forever. But all that stalking and pouncing are practice for the real thing. When their hormones kick in, they pommel the crap out of each other and the fighting is no longer a game. They are trying to drive each other away in what they perceive is a life or death fight for space and resources.
Compared to jungle felines like lions and tigers, domestic cats are pretty small. Their small size is so deceptive. Those ten or fifteen pound feline bodies house enormous souls and huge personalities. So cats are rugged individualists and often prefer to prowl alone. Most pet cats have been born in "captivity" and not given a choice about how or where they will live. I have learned some fascinating lessons watching my flock of feral cats.
Lesson 1: Cats have as many "druthers" as people do:
There are cats that don't like other cats or people. There are cats that prefer the company of cats. There are cats that prefer other cats but can tolerate people. There are cats that don't like cats and prefer people.
And then there are cats that learn to think they are superior specimens of humanity. A lot of house cats wind up like this.
Lesson 2: Some of the feral cats want no part of indoors.
Some of the cats want to come in and go out as they please.
None of the cats want to stay indoors permanently.
My six indoor cats started as outdoor cats. It's been tough for them to adjust to not being allowed out anymore. Actually it's been tough on me, too. Sometimes I feel guilty for keeping them in. But these guys are special and I nearly lost four of them to outdoor injuries. I got sick of plucking number five off the roof, so she came in. And after several years, I'm still asking myself why I brought number six in.
Even indoors, these guys manage to get in trouble. They didn't get to choose their feline housemates and they don't always get along. Five of the six are siblings. When I have to break up yet another fight, I remind myself how hellish life would be if I was cooped up with my siblings.
Tommy, the money cat, is not a sibling and his non-sibling status causes it's own set of problems. The biggest problem with Tommy is that Leo hates him. Even though Tommy is bigger, Leo fights with him and is always begging me to put Tommy back out. A benefit to Tommy's presence is that he's become Frodo's ally. Before Tommy entered the house, Frodo played the role of whipping girl with her siblings.
Lesson 3: Certain cats become great friends and others remain enemies. Feline personalities grate on each other just like human personalities do. And to add to the excitement, some humans and some felines get along just fine, while other feline-human personality combinations are....more difficult.
Lesson 4: When Mommy and Daddy told you they didn't have favorites, they lied. If you have multiple felines and favor one or two over the others, don't kick yourself. This stuff happens. We are not machines.
Lesson 5: If several cats live in the same dwelling with you, they will run a tight ship to maintain order. Over you. Never forget, Human, that you are out numbered and out witted.
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| Not Mel Gibson |
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