Cats are the most popular pets in America, but some domesticated felines have a hard time adjusting to the great indoors. Yowling, pacing and ripping up the furniture might seem like symptoms of kitty hysteria, but Wild Chronicles reveals that these cats aren’t crazy—they're just misunderstood.

  1. Domestic cats have the same instincts as big cats in the wild. What instinctual behaviors can domestic cats not usually practice?

    • Answer

      Domestic cats cannot usually act on what Steve, the pet expert, calls "the prey drive"—stalking and hunting.

  2. Animal behavior experts say most "crazy cats" are just bored. What do they recommend to pet owners?

    • Answer

      Animal behavior experts recommend that cat owners give their pets plenty to do—toys, games, and hidden food. This gives the cats an "outlet for their wild nature."

domestic animal
Noun

animal that has been tamed for work or to be a pet.
domesticate
Verb

to tame or adapt for human use.
pet
Noun

animal kept as a helper or companion.

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    Page Producer

    Tom Kist

    Producer

    Caryl-Sue, National Geographic Society

    Last Updated

    Oct. 7, 2015

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