Changes

==Territory==

==Home Range==

The size of the territorial range of cats (home range) varies between feral and pet cats, male and female cats and neutered and entire cats. Although evidence regarding the absolute size of home ranges is inconsistent between studies performed in different countries and habitats, intact male home ranges are, on average, three times larger than intact female home ranges <ref>Liberg, O., Sandell, M., Pontier, D., Natoli, E. (2000) Density, spatial organization and reproductive tactics in the domestic cat and other felids. Pp. 119-148 In: D. C. Turner and P. Bateson (eds.). ''The Domestic Cat: the biology of its behavior''. 2nd edition, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, England.</ref>. The same author found that pet females in Sweden had home ranges of around 30-40 hectares and rarely roamed further than 600m from their homes<ref>Liberg, O. (1980) Spacing patterns in a population of rural free roaming domestic cats. ''Oikos''. 38, 336-349.</ref>, and feral females had home ranges that were about four times larger than those of pet females<ref>Liberg, O. (1984) Home range and territoriality in free ranging house cats. Acta Zoologica Fennica. 171, 283-285.</ref>. It appears that male home range size is determined by the availability of reproductive opportunities, whilst that of females is governed by the availability of food. Range size has been found to vary between 0.1 hectare in a Japanese fishing village to 170 hectares in the Australian bush<ref name="Bradshaw">Bradshaw, J.W.S (1992) The Behaviour of the Domestic Cat. ''CABI'', Oxford, UK.</ref>, indicating that cats do not have a specific need to maintain a large territory, only to hold sufficient territory to satisfy specific survival needs. A larger territory will also be needed if suitable resting sites are distant from hunting locations.

The size of the territorial range of cats (home range) varies between feral and pet cats, male and female cats and neutered and entire cats. Although evidence regarding the absolute size of home ranges is inconsistent between studies performed in different countries and habitats, intact male home ranges are, on average, three times larger than intact female home ranges <ref>Liberg, O., Sandell, M., Pontier, D., Natoli, E. (2000) Density, spatial organization and reproductive tactics in the domestic cat and other felids. Pp. 119-148 In: D. C. Turner and P. Bateson (eds.). ''The Domestic Cat: the biology of its behavior''. 2nd edition, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, England.</ref>. The same author found that pet females in Sweden had home ranges of around 30-40 hectares and rarely roamed further than 600m from their homes<ref>Liberg, O. (1980) Spacing patterns in a population of rural free roaming domestic cats. ''Oikos''. 38, 336-349.</ref>, and feral females had home ranges that were about four times larger than those of pet females<ref>Liberg, O. (1984) Home range and territoriality in free ranging house cats. Acta Zoologica Fennica. 171, 283-285.</ref>. It appears that '''male home range size is determined by the availability of reproductive opportunities''', whilst that of '''females is governed by the availability of food'''. Range size has been found to vary between 0.1 hectare in a Japanese fishing village to 170 hectares in the Australian bush<ref name="Bradshaw">Bradshaw, J.W.S (1992) The Behaviour of the Domestic Cat. ''CABI'', Oxford, UK.</ref>, indicating that cats do not have a specific need to maintain a large territory, only to hold sufficient territory to satisfy specific survival needs. A larger territory will also be needed if suitable resting sites are distant from hunting locations.

The home ranges of neutered male and female domestic pet cats are likely to be smaller than their feral counterparts, and in one UK study were found to be 0.45 and 0.27 hectares respectively<ref name="Bradshaw" />. This reflects the high-density food resources, the close proximity of hunting, resting and latrine locations, and competition for space between the numerous cats in a typical suburban area. Home range size is inversely proportional to population density<ref name="Bradshaw" />.

The home ranges of neutered male and female domestic pet cats are likely to be smaller than their feral counterparts, and in one UK study were found to be 0.45 and 0.27 hectares respectively<ref name="Bradshaw" />. This reflects the high-density food resources, the close proximity of hunting, resting and latrine locations, and competition for space between the numerous cats in a typical suburban area. Home range size is inversely proportional to population density<ref name="Bradshaw" />.

==Core Territory==

==Core Territory==

Within the home range, the cat will also have a smaller core territory that is primarily used as a secure site for resting, feeding, and self-maintenance behaviour. In wild cats this core territory is typically around 100m in diameter and makes up 0.2 to 4% of the total home range<ref>Turner, D.C. & Bateson, P. (1986) The domestic at; the biology of its behaviour. ''Cambridge University Press'', Cambridge. </ref>. This core territory is away from direct view or intrusion by other cats that are not part of the social group.

Within the home range, the cat will also have a smaller core territory that is primarily used as a secure site for '''resting, feeding, and self-maintenance behaviour'''. In wild cats this core territory is typically around 100m in diameter and makes up 0.2 to 4% of the total home range<ref>Turner, D.C. & Bateson, P. (1986) The domestic at; the biology of its behaviour. ''Cambridge University Press'', Cambridge. </ref>. This core territory is away from direct view or intrusion by other cats that are not part of the social group.

[[Feline Communication Behaviour#Olfactory communication|Facial and flank marks]] are deposited in core territory where a cat does not anticipate meeting unfamiliar cats.

[[Feline Communication Behaviour#Olfactory communication|Facial and flank marks]] are deposited in core territory where a cat does not anticipate meeting unfamiliar cats.

==Territory Defense==

==Territory Defense==

The extent to which female cats will defend their home range relates to the abundance of food resources. Studies by Foley et al (2005)<ref>Foley, P., Foley, J. E., Levy, J. K.,  Paik, T. (2005) Analysis of the impact of trap-neuter-return programs on populations of feral cats. ''Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association''. 227(11), 1775-1781.</ref> and Driscoll et al (2009)<ref>Driscoll, C. A., Macdonald, D.W., O'Brien, S.J.,  (2009). From wild animals to domestic pets, an evolutionary view of domestication. ''Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.'' 106(1), 9971-9978.</ref> indicate that cats defended their territories, whilst a study by Corbett (1979)<ref>Corbett, L.K. (1979) Feeding ecology and social organization of wild cats (''Felis silvestris'') and domestic cats (''Felis catus'') in Scotland. PhD thesis, University of Aberdeen, Scotland.</ref> identified a lack of competition between cats due to the reliable excess of food in the abandoned farms on the Scottish islands where the study took place.

The extent to which female cats will defend their home range '''relates to the abundance of food resources'''. Studies by Foley et al (2005)<ref>Foley, P., Foley, J. E., Levy, J. K.,  Paik, T. (2005) Analysis of the impact of trap-neuter-return programs on populations of feral cats. ''Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association''. 227(11), 1775-1781.</ref> and Driscoll et al (2009)<ref>Driscoll, C. A., Macdonald, D.W., O'Brien, S.J.,  (2009). From wild animals to domestic pets, an evolutionary view of domestication. ''Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.'' 106(1), 9971-9978.</ref> indicate that cats defended their territories, whilst a study by Corbett (1979)<ref>Corbett, L.K. (1979) Feeding ecology and social organization of wild cats (''Felis silvestris'') and domestic cats (''Felis catus'') in Scotland. PhD thesis, University of Aberdeen, Scotland.</ref> identified a lack of competition between cats due to the reliable excess of food in the abandoned farms on the Scottish islands where the study took place.

Conflict is avoided by the use of [[Feline Communication Behaviour#Olfactory communication|scent marks]] and cats following strict timetables for their movements around their territories. [[Feline Communication Behaviour#Spray Marking|Urine spray marks]] provide information about the time of day the area is being used and [[Feline Communication Behaviour#Claw Marks|claw marks]] are used to indicate firmer territorial boundaries that discourage the presence of non-resident cats.

Conflict is avoided by the use of [[Feline Communication Behaviour#Olfactory communication|scent marks]] and cats following strict timetables for their movements around their territories. [[Feline Communication Behaviour#Spray Marking|Urine spray marks]] provide information about the time of day the area is being used by a specific individual and [[Feline Communication Behaviour#Claw Marks|claw marks]] are used to indicate firmer territorial boundaries that discourage the presence of non-resident cats.

==Domestic Cat Territory==

==Domestic Cat Territory==

In a domestic setting, the difference in area between the home range and core territory may be minimal, and for indoor-only cats that have a view of a garden, the boundaries of the indoor space are the absolute limits of territory, leaving no opportunity for conventional territorial organisation or distance maintenance from neighbourhood cats that are easily visible from indoors.

In a domestic setting, the difference in area between the home range and core territory may be minimal, and for indoor-only cats that have a view of a garden, the boundaries of the indoor space are the absolute limits of territory, leaving no opportunity for conventional territorial organisation or distance maintenance from neighbourhood cats that are easily visible from indoors.

In urban areas the density of cat populations may be high, exceeding 50 cats per square kilometre. <font color="red">In a study by the author</font color>, 81% of 734 UK cat owners whose cats were allowed outdoor access indicated that their neighbours also had at least one cat that was allowed outside, and 66% reported seeing a neighbour’s cat in their garden at least once a week. Owner reports of the number of different cats regularly seen in the garden and the frequency of cats visiting the garden were both correlated significantly with the frequency of injuries due to conflict with non-resident cats.  

In urban areas the density of cat populations may be high, exceeding 50 cats per square kilometre. <font color="red">In a study by Bowen (xxxx)</font color>, 81% of 734 UK cat owners whose cats were allowed outdoor access indicated that their neighbours also had at least one cat that was allowed outside, and 66% reported seeing a neighbour’s cat in their garden at least once a week. Owner reports of the number of different cats regularly seen in the garden and the frequency of cats visiting the garden were both correlated significantly with the frequency of injuries due to conflict with non-resident cats.  

Forty-one percent of those households reported some level of home entry by neighbourhood cats, with 18.7% reporting that cats came in to fight with their cat and 25.6% reporting that cats came in to steal food. For households that had a plain cat door without security features (as opposed to a selective entry cat door that only allows resident cats in and out) the figures were significantly higher; 24.8% of cat owning households reported that neighbourhood cats came into their home to fight with their cats, and 39.4% reported that cats came in to steal food.

Forty-one percent of those households reported some level of home entry by neighbourhood cats, with 18.7% reporting that cats came in to fight with their cat and 25.6% reporting that cats came in to steal food. For households that had a plain cat door without security features (as opposed to a selective entry cat door that only allows resident cats in and out) the figures were significantly higher; 24.8% of cat owning households reported that neighbourhood cats came into their home to fight with their cats, and 39.4% reported that cats came in to steal food.

Given that the [[territorial marking behaviour]] of cats has evolved to reduce direct conflict, and maintain distance, it is worrying that so many domestic pet cats regularly experience home invasions and injuries from fights with non-resident cats. This ought to be a '''significant source of stress for domestic pet cats'''. The fact that cats commonly take the risk of entering each other’s core territory in order to get access to food indicates that there are serious problems with the way that pet cats are being kept.

Given that the territorial marking behaviour of cats has evolved to reduce direct conflict, and maintain distance, it is worrying that so many domestic pet cats regularly experience home invasions and injuries from fights with non-resident cats. This ought to be a '''significant source of stress for domestic pet cats'''. The fact that cats commonly take the risk of entering each other’s core territory in order to get access to food indicates that there are serious problems with the way that pet cats are being kept.

Cats that had '''experienced injuries''' due to conflict with other cats showed 3.9 times that rate of indoor spray marking compared with cats that had not experienced injuries. They also waited by the cat door before going out, and became agitated and afraid when they saw another cat in the garden.

Cats that had '''experienced injuries''' due to conflict with other cats showed 3.9 times that rate of indoor [[Feline Communication Behaviour#Spray Marking|spray marking]] compared with cats that had not experienced injuries. They also waited by the cat door before going out, and became agitated and afraid when they saw another cat in the garden.

There was a strong, and significant, correlation between cats entering the home for food, and fighting with resident cats in the home. Only 45% of owners in the survey fed their cats ''ad libitum'', indicating that a lack of availability of food may be a strong motivation for many cats to enter homes seeking sources of food, and thereby ending up in conflict with residents.  

There was a strong, and significant, correlation between cats entering the home for food, and fighting with resident cats in the home. Only 45% of owners in the survey fed their cats ''ad libitum'', indicating that a lack of availability of food may be a strong motivation for many cats to enter homes seeking sources of food, and thereby ending up in conflict with residents.  

Cats who had '''experienced home invasion''' of any kind showed 24% higher levels of [[scratching behaviour]] compared with cats that had not experienced home invasion. They also waited by the cat door before going out, became agitated and fearful when they saw other cats in the garden, and showed significantly higher rates of [[hair loss and skin disease]].

Cats who had '''experienced home invasion''' of any kind showed 24% higher levels of [[Feline Communication Behaviour#Claw Marks|scratching behaviour]] compared with cats that had not experienced home invasion. They also waited by the cat door before going out, became agitated and fearful when they saw other cats in the garden, and showed significantly higher rates of [[hair loss and skin disease]].

Domestic gardens also often lack suitable landmarks for scent marking, such as posts for scratching. As a result, the boundaries between the necessarily small territories of domestic cats become blurred. There are few clear indicators of territory ownership to deter a cat from approaching another cat’s home.

Domestic gardens also often lack suitable landmarks for scent marking, such as posts for scratching. As a result, the boundaries between the necessarily small territories of domestic cats become blurred. There are few clear indicators of territory ownership to deter a cat from approaching another cat’s home.