Cat Welfare Week

Your cat’s territory and space

Cats are highly territorial and may not accept that what we recognise as our garden to be sufficient territory, and may instead consider a number of back gardens or a large expanse of land as their own territory. This can lead to feline conflict and stress if other people in that neighbourhood also have cats or new cats move in to the area. Such stress may not manifest as obviously as vocalisation or fighting with other cats, but may instead be demonstrated as soiling in the home, or overgrooming. It is important that all cats, especially indoor cats are given space to climb, hide and explore to allow them to diffuse any stressful situations they find themselves in.

Cats and solitude

Cats are independent rather than pack animals. They often find cat-to-cat interactions stressful, such as the introduction of a new cat into the household. Visitors (cats, people or other pets) can also cause stress. Even in situations where cats do get on well together (usually related individuals), they still hunt alone. Make sure your cat has somewhere to eat, drink and rest in privacy away from any new visitors or additions to the family.