Are cats also friends with each other? This question is more complex than you might think.

Are cats also friends with each other? This question is more complex than you might think. If you are looking for information on the topic in the title, it is likely because you want to get another cat, or you may simply be curious about your pet's emotional life. Some cat breeds, such as Siamese cats, are specifically happy when they can be in the company of their owner or family. But what about other breeds and the friendships between cats?

As we are used to with these wonderful creatures, we cannot give short, one-word answers to any questions about them, so let’s not delay any further. We will show you what you need to know about the the friendship of cats and the relationships between them.

Let’s start from the basics: Do they socialize in the wild?

Most likely, most of what we know about our furry friends has its roots in wild cats. According to the latest research, while cats are social beings, their relationships with each other are more similar to family relationships. Lions, for example, are probably the most well-known examples of cat communities, living in family groups. They rest together, hunt together, and raise future lion kings together. Their bond is close, that’s for sure. But there are plenty of examples of solitary cats too. Cougars, for instance, live alone except during the 3-10 day mating season. Even a female mountain lion cares for her cubs for only about 1-2 years before returning to her solitary life.

So, if we consider domestic cats it’s worth looking for a closer relative. This is the Felis silvestris, or the European wildcat, and although it looks exactly like our striped pets, it would probably seriously retaliate against your attempts to scratch its ear or pet it. Like mountain lions, wildcats also lead a solitary lifestyle. Except for a few mating seasons a year, they patrol their own territory to maintain order and hunt alone.

So, you already have a lot of information about other cat species, but we haven’t gotten much closer to the answer. Let’s dig deeper!

Have you ever seen stray cats hanging out together?

Stray communities are much more social than many other wild cat species. That’s a fact. Feral kittens or those born as strays are not much different from our pets. In fact, the only real difference is that these cats likely have never interacted with humans in their lives, or only to a very minimal extent. As a result, they are self-sufficient.

What we can observe in these feral cat colonies is that while the adult individuals hunt and eat alone, they spend their rest and playtime with other homeless cats. They nap together, groom each other, and collectively care for the kittens.

And if that’s not enough, they form groups like children choosing table companions in the cafeteria. Within the colony, small groups form; these individuals spend noticeably more time together than with other companions. Typically, these groups are based on kinship ties, but not always. This may suggest that they are friends, right? Well, not quite.

Friedship of cats: Those damn interests…

Conditions must be suitable for feral cat colonies to sustain themselves. Especially considering sufficient food. Without competition, it’s easier for them to tolerate each other’s company, but when food starts running out, colonies tend to scatter and dissolve. When competition becomes intense, cats switch to solitary mode.

This reveals to us something about cat friendships: we cannot think of them the same way as our human relationships. Humans are extremely social beings, and despite dangers, friendships and family ties generally hold us together. Cats, however, form their social networks for survival and easier access to resources.

Okay, so are they friends or not? We want answers!

You’re right, so perhaps it’s time to turn our attention to our beloved house cats after this lengthy discussion. If we had to answer in one word, we would say yes, they make friends. Yes, probably.

House cats are generally more social than their wild and feral counterparts. They seek connections more often and trust those around them more. Moreover, in the home environment, there is never a shortage of food, so they don’t have to fight for it.

But not every cat will accept another cat on its territory because they are strongly territorial animals. While they share many similarities with us, we can definitively say that they don’t make friends in the same way. So, introducing two cats in a household always requires careful preparation and a lot of patience.