Is cat territorial?

Are cats territorial like the big cats?
Most species in the cat family are territorial to each other, and sometimes toward other species as well. Tigers, lions, leopards, cheetah, etc. they all have their own territories and they would fight for it. The most easy to understand reason is the food source. More territory means more food.

Are the house cats territorial too?
To think about it, house cats have it different from their wild distant relatives, since all their food are provided to them by the owners.
Are they territorial toward other cats? Toward other animals?

Yes, I believe they are territorial. My roommates male cat became territorial in our house. I moved in just a few months ago and I believe it felt threatened by me and began attempting to come into my room at any time possible to mark his territory by urinating. We finally got him fixed and his behavior has slowed down because of it, yet he still tries to wander in to my room out of curiosity.

Cats are like people; all different. Some are contented to live in a group as long as there are resosurces (food, attention, space) for all, and others want it all and don't want to share. Cats are born with a base temperment, and then their nurturing and life experiences build on that. In any case, there will be a limit for how many cats that a particular situation will comfortably support. The way to find out what that limit is will be to go over the limit. The limit will also varry depending on the personalities that make up the group. I have four cats, and there is one who has made it clear that she no longer wants to be a part of it.

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There is another interesting aspect to cats and territory. Noted animal behaviorist Patricia McConnel gave a prgraam on cats that I went to, and she pointed out that in the wild, preditory animals will have a territory and defend it from all comers. Cats, however, have a time-share. Cats, especially outdoor toms, will have territories that overlap. They will partol their turf, avoiding others as much as possible. One will usually come by in the morning, another might usually show up in the afternoon. Wonder why your cat stops in the doorway deciding if he's going out or not while you stand there holding the door wishing he would make up his mind? He's reading the area to see who'd been here recently and who might still be around, so he doesn't walk into a confrontation he doesn't want.

Yes cats are territorial. Very much so. Also they rely on smell more than sight or hearing for that matter. If you have multiple cats I bet you have noticed when you take one to the vet and bring him/her home the ones left behind show they are upset with the returning cat. It is because he/she smells different and the others do not recognize him/her at first.
Cats are so territorial it starts at birth. Each kitten, while still deaf and blind will pick out which teat to feed from. Thereafter, using a sense of smell the kittens will go to the same teat.

(03-28-2012 11:05 AM)lhins Wrote:  Yes, I believe they are territorial. My roommates male cat became territorial in our house. I moved in just a few months ago and I believe it felt threatened by me and began attempting to come into my room at any time possible to mark his territory by urinating. We finally got him fixed and his behavior has slowed down because of it, yet he still tries to wander in to my room out of curiosity.

Territorial toward you?
He must have thought you are a cat.

Cats are smart enough to know humans are not cats... You must have been making a joke.