Understanding Territorial and Aggressive Behaviors in Cats

According to the ASPCA, approximately 75 million cats are owned in the US and many households have multiple cats. But many problems in multi-cat households arise from territorial conflicts which manifest through marking behaviors, like peeing and spraying, and aggression. The first step in dealing with these problematic behaviors is to understand what purpose territorial behaviors serve to a cat. For example, a domestic cat will stake out its territory by marking, scratching, or physically intimidating other cats. This article will discuss the various conflicts between cats, the reason behind them, and how to make peace with your cats.

Marking behavior in cats developed as a way of communication; instead of violently fighting for territory or for a female a cat will "mark" its territory. If this form of communication did not exist, males and some females would constantly fight and threaten the well-being of the species, at least on a local level. Respect for territory of established males ensures that there will be enough prey and food for everyone. Cats can mark their territory in different ways.

Marking with urine is the most common way of declaring territory. The primary goal of urine marking is to identify and claim a definite territory. A male's cat urine has fatty ingredients that allow it to stick to objects and different surfaces even in rainfall. When another male cat comes around, it can immediately recognize that it has entered another male's territory. In addition to urine, cats will use feces to mark its territory. Dominant cats competing for territory in the wild often do not burry their waste. This allows other cats to know that this territory is already claimed. Only smaller and submissive cats bury their waste as a way of ensuring that the dominant cat does not feel challenged or threatened. Burying waste also prevents a predator from tracking the cat and eating it. Your typical house cat buries its waste not only out of hygienic habits, but it also recognizes that you are the dominant "cat" in the home.

Aggression is another tool cats use to help declare their territory. But their aggression can sometime be upsetting and dangerous to an owner who does not understand and is not prepared for such an aggressive cat. Reacting "incorrectly" to aggression can intensify the cat's anger. Aggression is the second most common problem next to peeing all over the place. Understanding different types of aggression and why they occur will help you properly deal with your cat.

When a cat finds itself threatened, the "fight or flight" instinct automatically engages. This is known as fear aggression. Fear aggression can stem from many causes. Genetics, socialization and environmental causes are all possibility reasons a cat may feel scared or threatened. A fear aggressive cat will exhibit clearly identifiable body language cues to its enemy. Its ears go flat against its head, the tail lashes back and forth, pupils are dilated and hissing and striking will occur. Often times, their hair stands on end and their backs arches up making the cat appear larger than it really is. Play aggression is very common for restless indoor cats. Many will be familiar with the usual activities of cats play with too much aggression. As kittens, cats learn to stalk and attack prey through playing with their litter mates. They will sneak up on each other and pounce! Although it's just a game, they are learning how to be cats. But cats can get carried away with his type of play aggression. Solitary cats or indoor cats that are simply bored will often become restless and aggressive. For lack of anything better to do, they will suddenly appear out of thin air and attack your feet while you are watching TV, reading, eating or just walking by. They really don't mean to hurt you; they are just being immature and restless.