Exploring factors that may underlie how domestic cats can live in groups

New study uncovers links between hormones, gut microbes, and social behaviour in cohabitating cats

A new analysis explores relationships between domestic cats' hormone levels, gut microbiomes, and social behaviours, shedding light on how these solitary animals live in high densities. These findings were published on Wednesday in the open-access journal PLOS ONE.

Most feline species display solitary and territorial behaviour, but domestic cats often live in high densities, raising the question of what strategies cats use to establish cohabitating groups. Social behaviors of cats can be influenced by hormones and the mix of different microbe species living in their guts—known as the gut microbiome. Studying these factors could help illuminate the group dynamics of cohabitating cats.

In that vein, Hikari Koyasu and colleagues of Azabu University in Kanagawa, Japan, conducted a two-week-long study of three different groups of five cats living together in a shelter. They used video cameras to observe the cats' behaviour, measured hormone levels in their urine, and collected feces to evaluate 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 testosterone were more tolerant in 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 they found links between the gut microbiome, social behaviour, and cortisol levels.

Meanwhile, contrary to the researchers' expectations from research on animals that typically live in groups, cats with high levels of the hormone oxytocin did not display bonding behaviours described as "socially affiliative". This suggests that oxytocin might function differently for typically solitary animals living in groups than for animals that typically live in groups.

The researchers outline possible directions for future research to further deepen understanding of cohabitating cat dynamics, such as a follow-up study that observes cats for several months, rather than just two weeks, and investigations to tease out causal relationships between hormones and social behaviors.

The authors add: "Low testosterone and cortisol concentrations in cats enabled them to share the space and live together, but the higher the oxytocin, the less affiliative behaviour with others and the lonelier they are. The function of oxytocin was different from that of affinity for a group-mate. Cats may not consider other individuals living in the same space as tight relationship group-mates."