Changes

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 [[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]].

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 [[Alopecia and Hypotrichosis|hair loss]] and [[:Category:Dermatological Diseases - Cat|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 [[Feline Communication Behaviour#Olfactory communication|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.

Forty-one percent of cat owners that gave their cats outdoor access did not provide a cat door. So, these cats are reliant on a person to let them in and out of the house. Cats follow a strict timetable of movement around their territories so that they can avoid contact with other. By being tied to the owner’s routine, the cat is unable to follow this kind of pattern.

Forty-one percent of cat owners that gave their cats outdoor access did not provide a cat door. So, these cats are reliant on a person to let them in and out of the house. Cats follow a strict timetable of movement around their territories so that they can avoid contact with other. By being tied to the owner’s routine, the cat is unable to follow this kind of pattern.

However, even though outdoor access is fraught with problems due to a lack of owner understanding of the actual needs of cats, there is evidence that a lack of outdoor access contributes to problem behaviour. Heidenberger (1997)<ref>Heidenberger, E. (1997) Housing conditions and behavioural problems of indoor cats as assessed by their owners. ''Applied Animal Behaviour Science''. 52, 345-364.</ref> found that cats that were allowed to go outside when they wanted, or at least 2-3 times weekly, were less problematical to their owners.

However, even though outdoor access is fraught with problems due to a lack of owner understanding of the actual needs of cats, there is evidence that a lack of outdoor access contributes to problem behaviour. Heidenberger (1997)<ref>Heidenberger, E. (1997) Housing conditions and behavioural problems of indoor cats as assessed by their owners. ''Applied Animal Behaviour Science''. 52, 345-364.</ref> found that cats that were allowed to go outside when they wanted, or at least 2-3 times weekly, were less problematical to their owners.

==Key points==

==Key points==

* Cats will choose to occupy small territories if food resources are sufficient.

* Cats will choose to occupy small territories if food resources are sufficient.

* In the UK, suburban environments often have a high cat population density and a lack of suitable marking locations, so that territorial boundaries become blurred and unclear.

* In the UK, suburban environments often have a high cat population density and a lack of suitable marking locations, so that territorial boundaries become blurred and unclear.

* Since many cats are not fed ad lib, their need for food may drive them to investigate and invade the core territories of other cats.

* Since many cats are not fed ''ad lib'', their need for food may drive them to investigate and invade the core territories of other cats.

==References==

==References==

[[Category:To Do - Behaviour]]

[[Category:To Do - Behaviour]]

[[Category:To Do - Behaviour Questions]]

[[Category:To Do - Behaviour Questions]]