Do Cats Remember Their Siblings? Quiet likely yes! It is no secret that cats are notoriously independent and often do not like to cuddle with other cats, but a new study suggests that it is not just about competition between siblings.
So, Do Cats Remember Their Siblings?
Cats remember their brothers or sisters, even if they have never met them.
Can Cats Remember Their Siblings?
Kittens separated as early as four weeks old look exactly like kittens from the same litter when they meet again.
They become more distinguishable after about six months, but some cats are very similar at any age.
As the cats mature, their scent and appearance differentiate them.
Cats that have been together for a long time can recognize each other by smell alone, even if they’ve never seen each other before.
Do Cats Siblings Know They’re Related?
But if that doesn’t work, she may need to adopt a different tactic.
One way is to rub herself against them and give off an odor that all her kittens will recognize.
The other way is for the adult cats to do something else that will let the brothers and sisters know they have related again – such as sharing food or giving each other baths.
Do Cats Treat Siblings Differently?
Cats that were the same size and looked similar to the female in question would be rejected by her.
Scientists at the University of Lincoln, UK, observed a group of feral cats over two years and discovered that females don’t have sex with males who look like them.
The team noticed that when a male cat came into heat, he would approach any female in the heat but was unsuccessful if she did not share his features.
Will Cats Remember Siblings After Being Separated?
It is not standard practice to separate kittens for sale until they are old enough to be weaned.
They split only after they’ve been thoroughly weaned and have had ample opportunity to explore the world around them.
This is a normal part of cat breeding.
When Should You Separate Cat Siblings?
Kittens are more likely to be affected by separation anxiety if they have been separated from their siblings before seven weeks of age.
During this time, cats learn how to interact with their littermates and other cats.
Kittens should not be separated from their littermates or mother at four months of age.
Do Cats Miss Their Siblings?
A kitten that has lived in a foster home for about two weeks will be comfortable with its new environment, but it may still have been traumatized by the time it is returned to its mother.
The kitten’s behavior toward other cats will also indicate whether or not the separation was traumatic.
Do Cats Get Jealous Of Their Siblings?
We are their role models, and they are trying to learn from us.
And we think no one notices these things but us.
It’s all about the “cat” in that expression.
We don’t realize how much of our personality is mirrored on the faces of our cats because we’re so focused on them.
If you want your cat to be a lap cat, and you can’t stand being touched by anyone, it will also pick up on this trait.
If you want your cat to be an independent animal who doesn’t like being picked up or petted by strangers, it will pick up on that too!
Cats have personalities just like people do; they aren’t mindless automatons who cannot distinguish between good and bad behavior!
Do Cats Grieve For Their Siblings?
The cat would be very restless and start to pace around a lot.
This behavior is how cats show that they are missing their lost friend.
Cats may also search for the missing cat, but this time with no success.
If the cat does not find her partner within a week, she will begin to cry for help.
She will then ask you if you have seen her brother or sister.
If she is crying from hunger and pain, she can be rescued by taking her straight to your vet!
If the cat has been gone longer than seven days, it is not uncommon for cats to act as though they have died to protect their owners from being blamed for what happened.
This behavior can last up to four weeks after the death of a loved one before it begins to fade away.
The grieving period becomes less intense as the surviving animal adjusts to their routine; however, some cats continue mourning even after.
Final Words, Do Cats Remember Their Siblings?
In conclusion, cats remember their siblings and can form lifelong bonds with them.
This is evident in how cats often seek out their siblings long after they have separated.
While more research is needed to understand the intricacies of feline sibling relationships, what is currently known suggests that these relationships are essential to cats.
FAQs
Check out this video from Senior Cat Wellness “Do Cats Recognize Their Siblings After Being Separated?“
