Territorial behavior is not only normal in outdoor cats, indoor cats can also display this. There are various ways to reduce the resulting territorial fights to a minimum.
How big is a cat's territory?
For wild cats, the size of their territory is of vital importance for their survival, as they can only go on prey raids within their territory and thus hunt their food. The larger their territory, the greater the chances of catching a prey animal. The situation is similar for stray cats and very independent outdoor cats. They also try to occupy as large an area as possible. Cats living in rural areas can claiman area of up to 60,000 square meters as their territory.
In cities, on the other hand, the competition is much greater due to the higher cat population. Accordingly, the territory is considerably smaller and usually covers less than 5,000 square meters. It is a good deal smaller still for indoor cats. Here, the size of their home determines the maximum territory size. However, all cats display territorial behavior. Almost every cat owner who owns several cats can confirm this.
Territorial behavior of cats and tomcats
A territory is there to catch prey. This ensures survival. For most outdoor cats, the survival aspect does not play a role as they are provided with sufficient cat food at home. Nevertheless, outdoor cats will hunt prey such as songbirds in their territory. The size of a territory therefore hardly plays a role for them.
But whether it is small or large, the territory is regularly walked along certain paths and checked for competitors. Then it is time to renew their own markings. To do this, urine is sprayed at nose level on bushes, trees, fences or house walls. Scratch marks on trees serve as further markings. Both are clear signs of an occupied territory.
How do cats defend their territory?
Cats generally try to avoid conflicts. If others respect their territory, there will be no disputes. Sometimes there are even overlaps that are accepted by both territory owners. However, territorial disputes cannot always be avoided. These are particularly common with unneutered males. They can also cause the bloodcurdling cat cries that you occasionally hear at night. If these are not enough to drive away the other cat, tomcats become violent and actively defend their territory in a fight.
These fights can look very brutal and result in the odd scratch. In most cases, however, they end up being harmless, as it is primarily about a test of strength and not about causing significant harm to the other cat. Females are more reserved, but a cat with kittens is quite prepared to defend herself and the kittens in her territory by any means necessary. If you notice any injuries in your cat, keep an eye on them. If they are serious or inflamed, you should visit the vet.
Territory fights in the home
If you have a single cat in your home, you don't need to worry about territorial disputes. The cat simply claims the entire living area for itself and does not have to fear competition. The situation is different if several cats live in the apartment. In this case, several cats have to share the same territory. This can work perfectly well, but territorial disputes can also occur.
There are few problems if two familiar kittens or neutered cats move in. However, if a second cat joins the household or if the animals are not neutered, disputes may arise. This should only be tolerated to a certain extent. Hissing or individual bites are still acceptable. You should try to stop a fight . When separating fighting cats, please protect your hands and forearms with cushions or blankets.
Influencing territorial behavior in indoor cats
If there are territorial disputes between your cats, you should check the situation on site. Put yourself in your cats' shoes and think about what is causing the disagreements. A lack of equipment is often responsible. Every cat needs its own litter tray! They should also have their own bowls, toys and a place to sleep. The scratching post should also be large enough for each animal to have its own place to sleep. It may even make sense to set up two scratching posts so that each cat has its own territory.
Tip:
In our article "Getting cats used to each other" you will find numerous tips on how to integrate a new arrival into an existing cat household. If there are any problems, it is advisable to keep the new arrival in a separate room until further notice.
Marking within your own four walls
If you discover urine stains in your home, the question arises as to whether the cat is unclean or marking its territory. In the case of uncleanliness, this usually involves large amounts of urine that are released in the typical squatting position. In the case of marking, the quantities are significantly smaller and the cat sprays urine while standing. It is important to know this difference in order to be able to proceed accordingly. In both cases, it is advisable to consult a vet to be on the safe side so that any illnesses can be identified and treated accordingly.
If it is clear that it is a case of marking, it is important to find the cause. The first question to ask is whether the cat has been neutered. If not, you may have already found the solution. A potent tom cat wants to signal to all animals in the vicinity that he lives here, even if he lives in an apartment. Neutering is recommended for outdoor cats anyway, as this means they are involved in fewer territorial fights. If this has already happened with all cats, stress could be the reason for the marking. The well-being of the cats can be increased if each animal has its own basic equipment. You can also check the daily routine. This may be another way of minimizing stress for the cats.