It comes with the territory

When your kitten starts to establish his own territory, he’ll want a secure base to start from whether it’s a farmhouse or a high-rise flat. Territorial behaviour is instinctive and dates from a time when cats had to hunt in order to survive. The larger the territory, the better their chances of catching enough food to live.

Your kitten will use scratches, smells and sounds to mark the boundaries of his territory. If he’s not been neutered, for example, he will probably spray objects with urine, as will other cats who are vying for status. Your kitten’s territory is quite likely to overlap with others, especially in places where cats tend to congregate. In fact, the situation is always fluid, and when your kitten arrives on he scene, the boundaries will no doubt have to be redrawn.

Some home truths

Your kitten’s territoriality will be much more obvious if you already have one or more cats already living in your house. In that case, it’s a good idea to let your kitten familiarise himself with his surroundings before he meets the others.

With more than one cat around, a pecking order will soon be established. This may involve occasional displays of aggression or dominant cats may wash weaker ones to make their point. As your kitten matures and grows stronger, these patterns of dominance may well change.

Even if your kitten has the house to himself, he will still want to establish his territory. So be prepared to contest ownership of a favourite spot with him!