How Do Cats Behave In Their Territory?

2023 Author: Molly Page | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-11-27 22:49

Each cat has its own clearly defined territory. The center of this area is known as the "main house", from which the so-called "house zone" extends. This area, on which the cat usually roams, reaches an area of twenty or more hectares. In colonies of semi-wild animals, food becomes the fundamental factor determining the area of this zone. The hunting area can extend beyond the home area. But domestic cats rarely set such far-reaching boundaries.

When a new cat appears on the horizon, it needs to assert itself, perhaps at the expense of some other, neighborly one. Interestingly, cats most often do not object to the obvious intrusion of cats into their territory, while neutered cats and females will actively resent the presence of an "alien" in their territory. They will vigorously defend their relatively small holdings, whereas ordinary cats tend to go around large areas that are not so easy to defend.

The new cat will certainly collide with other cats and cats in this foreign territory for him and will have to defeat rivals to get a place in the cat hierarchy.

Females, if their kittens are in danger, also attack other cats, and without warning. A cancer is certainly a last resort, and there are a number of specific movements, in which the matter can be settled without bloodshed.

During a skirmish, the appearance of the enemy, his tail, together with the shape of the pupils, determine his condition and force the defender to take action. If he cannot escape or is still seeking a dangerous approach, his appearance expresses a threat: the tail is dashingly twisted, the body takes a position that emphasizes its size more advantageously, the pupils remain dilated, the ears are close to the head. Then the “defender” may choose to attack his hissing, crouching opponent, who immediately rolls over onto his back to accept the challenge with the claws of all four strained paws and sharp teeth. After a short skirmish, when one of the bully gets his own, he runs away, pursued, as a rule, rather lazily by his rival.

The outcome of the fight can be different. Domestic cats usually assert their rights against a newcomer in their territory less aggressively than their wild counterparts. More often because many of them are castrated.

Domestic cats mark territory in several ways. A rather pungent odor is emitted by the urine that is left, rubbing with the head or tail in the chosen place plays the same marking role. Scratching is both a visual and an olfactory way to stake out your area.

Large concentrations of cats in certain places forced them to evolve, finding various ways to divide the territory without entering into conflicts. They have well-marked and recognized paths for crossing other people's property, while a favorite place may belong to one or the other depending on the time of day. But this applies more to rural cats.

And in the apartment? The cat will undoubtedly treat the place where the bottom has grown as its property. Here, its territorial claims are no less strong than in freedom. Wherever she wanders, the cat will always return to a special place that will protect from uninvited guests and where she will find food and shelter.

She spends most of her life at home. It is widely believed that a cat is much more attached to a place than to people. In support of this statement, there are many stories about cats that, leaving with their family from the place where they grew up and were brought up, managed, despite incredible difficulties, to find their way back. This behavior should not be interpreted in a simplistic manner; the peculiarities of each species should be taken into account. The place of residence attracts cats not emotionally, but biologically and functionally.

When a cat is brought into the house - whether it was bought at the club or a friend brought it to you as a present - it is best if it is still a kitten. He finds himself in a new environment. Cats settle very quickly and do not need a lot of space, especially if they are still small. Their main activity at this stage is manifested in the game, and therefore any object that they accidentally stumble upon becomes a new toy, every corner in the house - a fascinating unknown world that needs to be examined.

Play and exploration allow the kitten to become comfortable with a new environment, and if his life is between a house and a garden or within four walls, establish the boundaries of his territory. In the house, the cat does not have the ability to choose its own property and define their boundaries, since they are already set by its owner. However, instincts will take their toll, and in this case, in relations with other cats, she will behave typical of the species: she will use the right of the owner on her territory, and if she is the only four-legged inhabitant in the house, her behavior will be based on intolerance towards other cats.