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Domestic cats have been living alongside humans for an , first as rodent control and then as the couch-warmers we know and love. A far cry from the , today millions of cats worldwide live within human families. More than 30% of households in the and own a cat.

We highly value the relationships we share with these furry companions, frequently considering them .

And this sentiment may be shared, with cats through seeking out our company, physical contact and engaging in play. Like a secret language between friends, there is even to suggest cats have developed specific vocalizations to communicate with their owners.

Despite this, cats are typically seen as . But how true is this? Do cats form friendships beyond us?

A complex recipe

Firstly, what does a cat friendship look like? Behaviors that may indicate between two cats include social grooming, such as licking each other's fur, head rubbing, spending time together and playing together.

In contrast, behaviors such as charging, fighting or chasing may indicate a is brewing or already underway.

Cats also have very few in their behavioral repertoire, choosing to run away or avoid each other rather than attempt reconciliation during conflict.

Such disharmony can be . Many owners end up wondering how to maximize the chances of fostering a positive relationship between their cat and other animals—or if they should get them a "friend" at all.

The recipe for successful feline friendships is a little complex. Research on cat dynamics in unowned, free-ranging cats has found close relationships are more likely to form—and last—if they are:

• are and
• to one another.

Indoor-only cats can also form strong friendships with other cats in the household. Similar to unowned free-ranging cats, cats who have been introduced to one another at a , who are , and who have , are more likely to be close friends.

However, among de-sexed cats, than male-female pairs. .

Their is also the most for positive long-term relationships.

What about outdoor friends?

We know less about the social lives of pet cats that are allowed to roam outside, but the default behavior for most cats is one of and .

That said, cats will typically try to avoid confrontations with others.

While some research has found interactions between roaming cats are , they can and do sometimes result in fights—particularly if food is around or they venture into an unfamiliar .

To complicate things further, within a household if they are allowed outside—likely due to bringing in unfamiliar scents.

We also can't forget the cats can have with native fauna, sometimes decimating local wildlife populations. In many places, especially in parts of Australia, cats are not allowed outdoors for this reason.

There are also dangers to their if allowed to roam, such as misadventure, risks from road traffic or even disgruntled neighbors.

Cats and dogs … in harmony?

While research has mainly explored cats' friendship with each other, cats can also have positive relationships with other species. For example, while cats and dogs are commonly depicted as mortal enemies, they can live harmoniously, often .

However, once again the importance of and in developing this relationship cannot be overstated.

Interestingly, it also appears that are friendlier towards their canine companions than cats allowed outdoors. This is possibly because outdoor cats may be exposed to multiple dogs, many of which aren't happy to see them.

Who's your cat's closest friend?

So, should your pet cat have a friend? As you may have guessed by now, the answer to cat friendships is complicated.

If you do plan to introduce your cat to a new companion, here are some . Firstly, cat introductions should be slow and supervised to increase the chance of a positive first meeting.

should also have plenty of safe spaces, toys and puzzle feeders, scratching posts, and separate food and litter areas in a quiet spot. Providing these resources will help prevent resource guarding (where cats stop other cats from accessing things they need or like) and reduce conflict between the animals.

At the end of the day, while cats can form friendships with other animals, they aren't crucial to their health and happiness.

Your cat's closest relationship is the one it has with you. Ensuring they have lots of opportunities to and is likely enough for even the most social of felines. After all, they have their "aloof and elusive" reputations to uphold.

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