What Can Cause Territorial Aggression in Cats?

Every owner knows that cats are territorial animals. In the wild, cats have the area where they hunt prey and revisit their territory daily. The size of cat territory depends on the availability of prey. The richer it is, the smaller it gets. Cats in cities and villages also possess a certain territory. For some cats, it can be the whole street. Obviously, outdoors cats occupy larger territory while the indoors are limited by the size of the apartment they live in. But, whatever is the size, cats show the same behavior – they spray, rub and scratch. In other words – they mark their territory. By doing so, they feel safe because they surround them with their smell. They also want to warn other cats that the territory belongs to them. Non-neutered cats want to inform their potential mate that they are available for mating. Sometimes, the arrival of a new cat can trigger territorial aggression in another cat. Territorial aggression in cats can be triggered by changes in a household, such as the arrival of a new family member of moving from one apartment to another. That is especially the case if a cat is not properly socialized when he was a kitten. These cats usually react with aggression to slight changes in their environment. Experts recommend to observe the situation from a cat’s perspective, understand the motives that lie beyond their misbehavior and take some steps to prevent or soothe aggressive behavior. To learn more about cat needs to mark their territory and understand better what can cause territorial aggression in cats, the article “Aggression in Cats” gives us interesting explanation.

Animals of many species strive to expel or keep out other individuals from their territory, and cats are no exception. Both male and female cats are territorial, but males may defend larger territories than females. Cats’ territorial aggression is usually directly toward other cats, but it can be directed toward dogs and people, too. A cat can show territorial aggression toward some family members and not others and toward some cats but not others. Cats mark their turf by patrolling, chin rubbing and urine spraying. They may stalk, chase and ambush a targeted intruder while displaying offensive body postures, including hissing, swatting and growling. Some cats take a slow and steady approach in their stalking, while others immediately and aggressively give chase. A cat’s perceived territory could be the entire house or part of it, the yard, the block or the neighborhood.

Some of the most common situations that trigger territoriality are:

– A kitten in the household reaches sexual maturity
– A new cat is introduced into the family and household
– Major changes are made in the cat’s family or environment (for example, moving or someone moving in)
– Stray or roaming cats in the neighborhood enter a cat’s territory

Experts suggest neutering a cat, because it will not only prevent him from spraying but will also enable him to live longer. Neutered cats are generally less aggressive. They will not only get into a fight rarely, but he will avoid being hurt by other, more aggressive cat. It will prevent them from abscesses that can deteriorate their health. But, feline experts warn us that even neutered cat can spray. And if we understand what triggers territorial aggression in cat and help him to get over it, we will eliminate this misbehavior.