Kimberly J. Workinger
Many behaviors in the early life of the dog or cat are instinctual. Kneading action of the paws of a puppy or kitten on the mother’s breasts is an instinctual behavior that literally determines the young animal’s survival. This particular behavior stimulates an equally instinctual behavioral response for the mother. This is the lactating response. Hormones are released from the brain thereby releasing the milk from the mammary ducts to the nipples. This lactating response is seen in human beings as well. Calling out to the mother as the young animal’s eyes are still closed and nestling in with the rest of the litter maintaining the body heat of such a small individual. The mother instinctively licking the young keeps the young’s coat clean and aiding in the process of elimination of feces and urine. This licking action is comforting to the young and in the case of the cat elicits the purring response that is characteristic only of the cat. No other animal can make this particular sound. This behavior extends beyond the care of the mother to occur any time the cat is content or being stroked in the same manner by a human. While it would seem that mothering or nurturing behavior is instinctual, it appears that it is not. Very often dogs or cats that become pregnant at a very early age are not at all prepared for what is happening to them. Occasionally, young mothers will abandon or kill the young shortly after they are born. This could be due to incomplete development of the essential brain structures or mammary glands of the mother.
Marking is an instinctive behavior in dogs that has both social and sexual purposes. Pheromones present in the urine giving all who encounter the mark left by others a variety of messages including sexual receptiveness, eating habits, age and overall health. (Overall) It has been proposed in a book entitled “The Secret Life of Dogs” by Elizabeth Thomas that dogs will often nearly stand on their toes to leave their scent as high as possible. She believes that the dog is trying to convey a message that they are bigger. The anal glands of the dog secrete these messages as well. This explains why dogs will sniff at each others hind ends when meeting. Anal gland secretions are also expressed when the dog rubs its anus on the ground or when the dog is particularly stressed.
Cats also exhibit marking behaviors that are instinctual. They have glands on the cheek, the lips, the forehead, the tail, the chin, the pads and the some that are associated with the whiskers. When the cat rubs on people it is more for deposition of a scent to let other cats know that this human belongs to them. It is rather fortunate for the cat that they have these glands for leaving a scent all over the body. It the target is near the cheek, they rub with the side of the face. If the object of rubbing is higher the glands at the tip of the tail or the back are utilized.
While mounting behaviors appear to be sexual in nature, this is not the case. This instinctual behavior can serve as a direct challenge to another dog’s authority or standing in the group as well as a communicatory gesture. When a dog with higher social status mounts a subordinate, the dominant dog is physically above and therefore in control of or superior to the subordinate. This position above the neck allows the superior animal access to the vulnerable jugular vein of the individual that is subordinate. Puppies exhibit this behavior as well. It is during this period of time that social foundations are formed. During play each puppy is assessing who is stronger or has more stamina and determination It may be thought that the mounting behavior is exclusive to the male dogs. This is not the case. Dominant female dogs in a pack will exhibit the same behavior normally to confirm her status to underlings in the pack thereby asserting her control. When a dog mounts a pillow or other inanimate object, the motivation is probably misdirected sexual behavior. When considering if the mounting is sexual in nature, consider whether the dog is in tact, meaning not neutered or spayed, or on heat. If there is no sexual reason, the mounting is an assertion of social rank.
Both dogs and cats exhibit instinctive predatory behaviors. Humans identified this skill in dogs some time ago and have been breeding certain breeds for there specific skills including herding, tracking and speed. We have even bred for certain body shapes like dachshunds and terriers to prey on and hunt certain animals. Cats are perhaps more known for there instinctive predatory behaviors. To the dismay of bird loving cat owners, they will often prey on birds at the feeder or help out with the mole population in the yard. When the cat returns to the home with the prey, this is not a token of appreciation but a maternal instinct to return to the den with food for young whether or not there are young there to feed. Mother cats, if given the opportunity will bring back dead prey for the young to feed on and later bring back live prey to allow the young to practice the inborn instinct to hunt.
Instinctual behaviors are most often associated with wild animals. An understanding of instinctual behaviors will be achieved through a series of video clips and observations of animals in shelters and at home. After discussing the difference between an instinct and a learned behavior, students will be asked to list behaviors observed and comment on whether that behavior was instinctual or learned. Observation is a key skill set for those working in the animal care field. While it is a good start to talk about the different instinctual behaviors, the best assessment of understanding is observing and commenting on the behaviors.