Читать книгу Animal Behavior for Shelter Veterinarians and Staff - Группа авторов - Страница 80

Cats are unique amongst domestic species in that they have evolved from a solitary ancestral species to become one of the most beloved household pets today. Interestingly the cat’s physical appearance and sensory systems remain almost identical to their wild counterparts. Recognition of the perceptual parameters allows us to better understand how the domestic cat responds to environment and communicates with social partners. Sociality is unequivocally the aspect of feline life most affected by the domestication process. Cats can display a wide range of social behaviors, and evidence indicates that early exposure to a variety of social and environmental stimuli is the most important postnatal factor for a well‐adjusted life in a domestic setting and resiliency to basic stressors. In addition, a moderate amount of handling and enrichment will ensure shelter staff improves the future welfare of kittens in their care and increases adoptability. It is imperative that shelter staff gain an understanding of feline natural behavior, communication, learning, and cognition to provide cats with an ideal environment, change unwanted behaviors, and improve the welfare of our cats.

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