Social behaviour of domestic cats (Felis lybica f. catus L.): A study of dominance in a group of female laboratory cats (1994)

Van den Bos, R., de Cock Buning, T.

Abstract

Cats establish a distinctive dominance hierarchy. This makes it advisable to distribute food for group-housed cats on different locations so that no animal can monopolize it, denying others access. The lowest ranking animals spent little time on the floor. They lost weight over time. Higher ranking cats occupied the floor area and moved around freely. This illustrates that feeding, resting and elimination areas should be available in a number of different sites at different levels.