Odour-guided social behaviour in newborn and young cats: an analytical survey

Author: Mermet Nicolas  

Publisher: Springer Publishing Company

ISSN: 0937-7409

Source: CHEMOECOLOGY, Vol.17, Iss.4, 2007-09, pp. : 187-199

Disclaimer: Any content in publications that violate the sovereignty, the constitution or regulations of the PRC is not accepted or approved by CNPIEC.

Previous Menu Next

Abstract

This article surveys early chemosensory mechanisms regulating behaviour in neonatal and juvenile domestic cats (Felis sylvestris catus</i>). It aims to retrieve material from the available literature which may promote a better understanding of the semiochemical system that supports female-to-kitten exchanges. Studies dealing with the development of olfaction from birth through weaning are presented in three sections. The first aims at locating developmental periods suitable for applying analytical procedures combining behaviour and chemistry. The second section offers a survey of observational and experimental work related to the role of olfaction in the social and feeding behaviour of kittens before weaning. The final section traces the current knowledge on the odour sources and substrates that may be involved in early mother-kitten transactions.