Nature of Cats

Question
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Followup To
Question -
Date: 3/8/05 4:26 PM

Hello. I would like to know, why are cats so territorial? Are there territorail for the same reasons dogs are? Please let me know. Thank you.

Sinceely,
Jason Goldman
JGoldman10@yahoo.com
Answer -
Hi Jason.  Some cats are, indeed, territorial.  It's simply the way they were built.  Unneutered males are by far the most territorial, and that probably has a lot to do with the fact that they want to be the only male in the area when a female comes around.  Females can also be very territorial and are especially so if they have kittens.  Reason for that is, kittens are easy prey for animals such as coyotes, badgers, dogs, hawks, and other predatory animals.  Also, unneutered male cats have been known to kill young kittens.  It's very common to see mother cats band together and help protect one another's kittens, so that one goes to eat, the kittens aren't left alone.

"Fixed" cats, male and female, may still be territorial.  Cats don't like change, and they don't like intruders.  Having rule over some territory always them to feel in control, even when they are not in control of the things surrounding them.  Even having something as small as their own bed will usually cause them to feel they have enough dominion over something that their territorial drive is satisfied.

Date: 3/16/05 6:13 PM

Hello Jessica:

I'd like to know, why do cats have the tendency to mark their territory-for what purpose? Please let me know. Thank you.

Sincerely,
Jason Goldman
JGoldman10@yahoo.com

Answer
Hi Jason.  Cats mark their territories in many ways - they scratch, so other cats can SEE that it's their territory, and they also have scent glands in their paw pads that mark areas they scratch with their scent.  They also have scent glands in their cheeks, so they rub objects with their cheeks to mark them.  And they also mark their territory by spraying it with urine.  Each cat's urine contains a unique scent that identifies the territory as theirs.

The most common reason cats mark their territory is when it is an unneutered male cat involved.  He marks his territory to ward off other males so that he can have any females in the area to himself.  He also marks his territory to attract females to the area.  Females may also mark, especially when they are in heat and are looking for a mate.

Neutered cats do still mark their territory.  Just as people and most other animals like to have their own property, so do cats.  When a cat sprays, scratches, or rubs his cheeks on things, it's similar to us putting our name on our mailbox.  It simply tells other cats the this piece of land, or this home, already has an owner, and intruders are not welcome.

It's normal for neutered cats to scratch things and rub their cheeks on objects to mark them.  But if you have a neutered cat who is marking objects by spraying or urinating, you should get him or her to the vet.  There are physical problems, like infections or bladder stones, that can cause this.  

If illnesses are ruled out, then your cat is probably feeling nervous.  During times of stress, some cats spray or urinate outside the box.  If this is a problem you're having, please write back.  I can give you some suggestions that may help.