Cats and their territories
We all know that cats are pretty independent creatures, with great character and personality. Sometimes though, a cat’s constant scratching or urination markings can wear thin on a homeowners patience – however it is wise to remember that these are all fundamental parts of being a cat in a territory it recognises. Today Animal Friends is helping you understand why your cat acts in this way.
How do cats mark their territory?
Cats have a variety of means to mark their territory, and cats have different reasons to use each. These are all important to cats, and are fundamental to a cat’s well-being. These markings are urinary, scratching and facial marking.
Urinary Marking is the process of marking territory by scent. When used outdoors, the urine scent is a powerful odour that clearly marks the boundaries of a cat’s territories, which will often be refreshed as a cat patrols, or possibly left to fade as a cat expands its territory. Indoors, however, is a completely different story. As a homeowner, urine spraying in your home is unpleasant both in terms of odour and the hygiene risks. Urine marking is a very specific behavioural sequence where the cat adopts a posture that is easy to recognise:
- He approaches a vertical surface (wall, item of furniture…)
- He sniffs the surface and is seen to treads the floor
- The cat then turns his back
- Standing with his tail erected, he emits a horizontal jet of urine onto the object
This process leaves a small amount of urine stained above the ground – urine on the floor or in large quantities is not a sign of urine marking and you should consult your vet in this case.
Scratch Marking can mean one of many things. Scratching that is confined to one or two areas of the house, usually hidden or ‘quiet’ then the cat is keeping them trim for hunting. Scratching against horizontal surfaces when at play, waking up or during sexual excitation are all other activities which are normal. It is when the scratching becomes more widespread and on prominent pieces of furniture that may alert you that the cat is uncomfortable or distressed. Look for these scratches around windows or doorways as well as any new items of furniture, as this increased level of scratching may be to increase the visual and scent signals for your cat. Attempt to find the stimuli which has upset your cat and remove it – if this is not possible, then perhaps consider rubbing your cats bedding over it so that a recognisable scent is attached; this will make your cat feel more secure and happier.
Facial Markings are the commonly seen and widely recognised behaviour of cats, and are used when a cat is happy in its environment and wishes to convey a message of safety and well-being. The pheromones are deposited when the cat rubs his head from the side of the chin to the base of the ear against the object/person in question.
It is important to remember that a cat will only be acting in these ways for a reason – cats will not intentionally try to ruin your home with their actions, so if your feline friend does seem to be acting in an overly destructive manner then you should attempt to find the source of his irritation before anything else.
Remember that Animal Friends offers a wide range of comprehensive pet insurance, so get in touch with us on 0844 55 70 300 and ask how we can help your animal friend today.
