Cats Marking Territory

Cats are territorial animals; which means that there exists an affective bond between an adult and the space in which it lives in. That's why a good part of signs of communication this species have are for organizing and defending their territory.

Both males and females mark their territory in three different ways:

• Rubbing their body against objects and persons. With this they establish areas where it can rest and a bond with people and other animals they live with, creating a calm atmosphere and feline satisfaction. Cats segregate some chemical substance called pheromone in the face and base of the tail; which are the zones they rub to mark
• Scratching and rubbing hands on objects. This marks vertical objects. The couch for having a suitable texture and is located in the family room (for cats and persons).
• It is very simple getting a cat from the beginning habituated to do their nails in an appropriate scraper that will be placed from the first day in the living-room next to the sofa, in a place well visible. They also use other surfaces like carpets that can be replaced with doormats in places where there is too much transit (kitchen door, hallway). If the house is big or there are several cats, it will be necessary to place more than one tree scratcher.
• Urinating in strategic places. Males do this kind of marking when they are in zeal (some females rarely do it) or in objects that have many odors from the outside world (suitcases).

Cat Hierarchies
Cats establish hierarchies quickly with the rest of animals of the house or with other exterior cats and adopt positions according to their strength and hormonal state. Usually the males that are not gelded are the chiefs and the ones that are gelded are relegated to subordinates of these. The not sterilized females occupy preferential positions with those that are. It is difficult to know well the extension of the territory of a cat in liberty, but it also depends on the relationship it has with cats that are close to them and their hormonal condition.

Domestic cats establish their own territory; can be a room to an armchair. If there are more cats in the house, they can share territory and make it common for both.

Cat Aggressiveness
Many persons believe that an aggressive behavior is innate and normal in cats and support unbearable situations. Some cats approach asking for caresses and after awhile they turn and bite the hand that caresses them. Usually seen in cats that were separated at early age from their mother (around the month) and for it they did not learn to relate correctly.

We have to keep in mind that all games are based on learning to hunt. This problem is difficult to correct, but if we observe carefully the cat, their facial mime will warn a moment before the assault, with what we will be able to avoid it.