Territorial Aggression in Cats

Cats may become aggressive due to territorial issues.

Cats in the wild are territorial creatures. They dislike having other cats in their area, and they spend a lot of time marking that territory and defending it. Our house cats haven’t lost that territorial nature, and while most cats living in multiple-cat households are able to work things out in such a way that they don’t often clash over territory, other cats resort to aggression toward the others.

How Do Cats Show Territorial Aggression?

Cats can show aggression based on territorial urges toward dogs and humans as well as other cats. Some clues that your cat’s aggression may be rooted in territorialism include:

What Can You Do About Territorial Aggression in Your Cat?

Feline territorial aggression can be particularly difficult to deal with. Here are some strategies for helping your cats overcome it as well as ways to avoid it in the first place.

You May Also Like These Articles:

How to Introduce a New Cat to a Household that Already Has a Cat

STOMP out Problem Cat Scratching

Why Your Cat Scratches Some Areas of Your Home and Not Others

Special Cat Scratching Post Considerations for Multiple Cats

Stressed Cats Scratch More

Human-directed Aggression in Cats

Redirected Aggression in Cats

Cat Aggression: Why Some Cats Fight

Disclaimer: This website is not intended to replace professional consultation, diagnosis, or treatment by a licensed veterinarian. If you require any veterinary related advice, contact your veterinarian promptly. Information at CatHealth.com is exclusively of a general reference nature. Do not disregard veterinary advice or delay treatment as a result of accessing information at this site. Just Answer is an external service not affiliated with CatHealth.com.