Cats are territorial right? The answer is yes! In the wild, territorial cats mark boundaries of their territories by :
- Urinating
- Defecating
- Scratching
- And depositing scent from their scent glands
Any other cat approaches these scented boundaries gets the message that it is in another cat’s neighborhood. By respecting the other cats territory, they avoid fighting and make sure there will be enough prey for all of them to hunt.
Cats do not normally mark inside their own territories, unless they perceive a threat. A very dominant cat will certainly do so particularly if a new pet or person suddenly appears at home or in the neighborhood.
Un-neutered cats are more likely to spray or defecate at home as a way of marking territory or objecting to the presence of a competitor. Where do they mark their territories at home? These are the unfortunate spots where they mark their territories:
- Furniture
- Beds
- Doorways
Strays and shelter cats are also known to spray in their home because they have gotten used to doing so while living outdoors. Often even neutering these kind of cats won’t have an immediate effect on the behavior because it has become such an ingrained habit.
Any cat that chooses to leave its feces unburied is clearly displaying dominance and a significant sign for being a territorial cat. Fecal marking is more rare than spraying, but it does occur, especially among extremely dominant cats forced to live with a new pet ( new dog or new cat). Indoor-outdoor cats living in a neighborhood with a high density of outdoor felines may mark with feces as well. The small territories each cat has often require them to take these drastic measures to mark out a tiny yet valued domain. Knowing why cats are so territorial will lead to understanding that even cats that are domesticated, they still have that instinct and can never be erased.