Changes

Aggression between cats in a neighbourhood will be minimal if they are able to successfully maintain and control territorial boundaries and distance form one another, and thereby avoid face to face confrontations. However, in urban areas the population density of cats may be very high, and cats are forced to traverse each other's territory in order to gain access to the resources that they need. Conflict is more likely if one of the neighbourhood cats is an intact male, as these are far less tolerant of the presence of other males (intact of neutered) and will attempt to attack and drive them away.  

Aggression between cats in a neighbourhood will be minimal if they are able to successfully maintain and control territorial boundaries and distance form one another, and thereby avoid face to face confrontations. However, in urban areas the population density of cats may be very high, and cats are forced to traverse each other's territory in order to gain access to the resources that they need. Conflict is more likely if one of the neighbourhood cats is an intact male, as these are far less tolerant of the presence of other males (intact of neutered) and will attempt to attack and drive them away.  

Most cats that have outdoor access will, at some time, either be frightened or attacked by a neighbourhood cats, but injuries are usually minor. However, it must be remembered that any level of physical conflict between cats is problematic and unusual for the, as their entire social and communication framework has evolved to prevent this. As a result, we would expect even minor injuries to be associated with a stress related impact on cat welfare. In a recent, unpublished, cats that  

Most cats that have outdoor access will, at some time, either be frightened or attacked by a neighbourhood cats, but injuries are usually minor. However, it must be remembered that any level of physical conflict between cats is problematic and unusual for the, as their entire social and communication framework has evolved to prevent this. As a result, we would expect even minor injuries to be associated with a stress related impact on cat welfare. In a recent, unpublished, study by the author, cats that had experienced injuries by other cats were more likely to have significantly higher levels of coat problems, respiratory disease, and eye infections, as well as indoor spray marking problems.

Invasion of core territories and threat to resources within homes increases competition within the home and can increase the risk of conflict. When a [[Feline Social Behaviour#Social Structure|feline despot]] is present within a neighbourhood, aggressive encounters between cats increase significantly. These despotic cats not only show intensely territorial behaviour but also make regular and repeated attempts to take over the territory of other cats, including their core territory or home range. They may enter the homes of other cats to attack or intimidate them, or to leave urine marks, leading to misdiagnosis of inter-cat aggression or [[Indoor Marking - Cat|indoor marking problems]] within the homes they are targeting. Entire male cats are more likely to be despotic, which is why stray males should be caught and neutered. However, there is '''no exclusive correlation between reproductive status and despotism''', and other cats can behave in this way. Despotic cats are often most active at dawn and dusk and their behaviour is often a source of tension between human and feline neighbours throughout the potentially very large area that the despot attempts to control.

In most cases inter-cat aggression toward neighbourhood cats is only reported when the problem becomes extreme. For example, when a local cat is identified as the culprit for regular home invasions and attacks on other cats. The owners of the cats who fall victim to this behaviour may even pursue litigation, but this is difficult to achieve given legal issues regarding the ownership, and responsibility for, pet cats.

==Prevalence and Risk factors==

==Prevalence and Risk factors==