Do cats mark territory?
Do you know when cats mark territory? Do you know how to prevent this territorial habit in cats? To clear all your doubts on the subject, we’ve prepared a comprehensive guide about the habits of this pet! Keep reading!
Why are cats territorial?
Just like your four-legged child can eat your favorite food every day with little effort, there’s no escape: cats are natural hunters. For domestic cats, life follows the law of the jungle! “That’s why cats are so territorial,” explained Dr. Petz Flávia Trevisan. This is a behavior they inherited from nature and continues to this day.
By keeping the territory unthreatened, the cat believes it is the king of that space and, as such, has all its food and comfort. “From the cat’s point of view, by avoiding intruders, they eliminate competition for food. In this way, they ensure survival.”
How do cats mark territories?
So, cat owners basically need to tame a small animal at home. So, the question is: how do you notice a cat’s marked territory?
“The main marker is the urine spray,” explains Dr. Flávia. If you notice cats peeing everywhere or showing changes in their routine, you may suspect: your four-legged child is marking territory.
But be careful! It’s important to identify the difference between territorial attitudes, urinary problems, or even going to the bathroom. When marking territory, cats often spray urine at various points in the house.
It’s not ordinary urine, but small jets scattered around corners and objects. If this happens, maybe it’s time to learn about cat behavior.
Why is my cat urinating in the wrong place?
It’s important to understand that some aspects of cat behavior are natural and unlikely to change. The wild and independent side of cats is part of the fascination of the species. However, if cats are marking their territory too much, it may be necessary to be more careful about it.
“Stressful or threatening situations can lead to this behavior in pets,” explains Dr. Flávia. These scenarios often involve adopting another pet, a new family member, or a move.
If you’re wondering if a neutered cat marks territory, it depends on events in the cat’s life, the answer is yes. Even after neutering, some cats don’t give up the habit and may even regain it after a while without showing it.
If the behavior starts suddenly, try to determine what has changed in the kitten’s routine. Changes in diet or even a new litter box can trigger territorial behavior in furry friends.
How to avoid territorial markers?
Although territorial behavior is part of a cat’s nature, it can be highly undesirable and cause problems indoors. Many mentors wonder how to prevent cats from marking territory.
The first point in preventing a cat from peeing in the wrong place is to understand the cause of the bad behavior: has there been any recent change? Does the animal feel threatened?
This way, the problem can be solved at the root and avoid putting more stress on the kitten, thus reducing its instinct to mark its territory.
However, for a more effective action, deworming of cats that mark territory is recommended. In well-equipped pet stores like Petz, it’s easy to find items that will help educate four-legged kids.
“There are also products that can help calm pets, such as pheromones and floral scents,” adds Dr. Flávia. According to experts, these items can be of great help in times of change.
Warning sign
If your cats mark territory and continue urinating in the wrong places, it may be going through a physical or psychological problem. So, if this is your furry friend’s persistent behavior, take them to the vet.
This way, you can ensure that your pet is not having health problems and can seek professional help to leave behind the behaviorally demarcated areas of the cat.
