Changes

Cats control access to their [[Feline Territorial Behaviour|territory]] using [[Feline Communication Behaviour#Olfactory Communication|scent marks]] and by [[Feline Communication Behaviour#Visual Communication|watching and threatening]] their enemies from vantage points that they spend time at around the edge of their territory. In order for the cats to do this, the garden must be filled with hiding and climbing places as well as places for scratching. Otherwise the cat may use vantage points in the home, and could start to scratch and spray mark inside.

Cats control access to their [[Feline Territorial Behaviour|territory]] using [[Feline Communication Behaviour#Olfactory Communication|scent marks]] and by [[Feline Communication Behaviour#Visual Communication|watching and threatening]] their enemies from vantage points that they spend time at around the edge of their territory. In order for the cats to do this, the garden must be filled with hiding and climbing places as well as places for scratching. Otherwise the cat may use vantage points in the home, and could start to scratch and spray mark inside.

Making improvements to the outdoor environment has several benefits including increasing the space available to the cats and reducing competition for [[Cat Latrines|toilets]], resting places and space within the home. It provides the cat with things to do so that it is able to carry out a wider range of its normal activities. The cat may stay closer to home because all of its needs are met locally and it enables the cat to successfully maintain the garden as a territory, thus reducing fighting with other cats.

Making improvements to the outdoor environment has several benefits, including increasing the space available to the cats and reducing competition for [[Cat Latrines|toilets]], resting places and space within the home. It provides the cat with things to do so that it is able to carry out a wider range of its normal activities. The cat may stay closer to home because all of its needs are met locally and it enables the cat to successfully maintain the garden as a territory, thus reducing fighting with other cats.

Necessary provisions:

'''Necessary provisions:'''

:'''[[Cat Latrines#Outdoor Latrines|Outdoor toilets]]'''

*'''[[Cat Latrines#Outdoor Latrines|Outdoor toilets]]'''

:'''Scratching places''': Cats tend to leave [[Feline Communication Behaviour#Claw Marks|claw marks]] at the edge of their territory to keep other cats out. Creating some outdoor scratching places will enable the resident cat to maintain its territory more effectively. These are simply made from softwood posts, which have been rubbed against existing scratching places to pick up claw marking smells. The surface is scratched with a wire brush to simulate scratch marks, as this often attracts further scratching. They should be positioned around the edges of the garden.

*'''Scratching places''': Cats tend to leave [[Feline Communication Behaviour#Claw Marks|claw marks]] at the edge of their territory to keep other cats out. Creating some outdoor scratching places will enable the resident cat to maintain its territory more effectively. These are simply made from softwood posts, which have been rubbed against existing scratching places to pick up claw marking smells. The surface is scratched with a wire brush to simulate scratch marks, as this often attracts further scratching. They should be positioned around the edges of the garden.

:'''Hiding places and vantage points''': Cats need some easily-defended vantage points in the garden from which they can rest and watch the activities of other cats. For example fixing shelves to fences and outside walls, wooden platforms into trees and empty shelves and windowsills in garden sheds so that the cat can sit on them. The vantage points need to face away from the house, otherwise invading cats may use them to stake out the resident cat's home. The line of sight back to the house needs to be blocked using the natural arrangement of trees and plants in the garden or pot plants, fences and other obstacles.

*'''Hiding places and vantage points''': Cats need some easily-defended vantage points in the garden from which they can rest and watch the activities of other cats. For example fixing shelves to fences and outside walls, wooden platforms into trees and empty shelves and windowsills in garden sheds so that the cat can sit on them. The vantage points need to face away from the house, otherwise invading cats may use them to stake out the resident cat's home. The line of sight back to the house needs to be blocked using the natural arrangement of trees and plants in the garden or pot plants, fences and other obstacles.

Some cats are hesitant to go out and will hang around the cat flap for long periods, or they will often rush in as if they are being pursued. These cats may benefit from having a few hiding places (e.g. plant pots) close to the exit of the cat flap. This also reduces the tendency for cats to spray around the interior walls close to the cat flap. It also means that the resident cat can sneak out into the garden without being watched by other cats.

Some cats are hesitant to go out and will hang around the cat flap for long periods, or they will often rush in as if they are being pursued. These cats may benefit from having a few hiding places (e.g. plant pots) close to the exit of the cat flap. This also reduces the tendency for cats to spray around the interior walls close to the cat flap. It also means that the resident cat can sneak out into the garden without being watched by other cats.

'''Preventing access by other cats'''<br>

'''Preventing access by other cats'''<br>

In most cases, cats are not very concerned when other cats cross their [[Feline Territorial Behaviour|territory]] because it is normal for this to happen. Problems arise when other cats lurk in the garden, using their own vantage points to observe and threaten the resident cat in its own home or when it tries to enter the garden. To prevent this from happening, plant shrubs or planters and other obstacles can be used to obstruct the view. Another option is to make vantage points uncomfortable for other cats to use, for example by fixing burglar deterrent prickle strips onto fences or spots intruder cats might rest in the garden.

In most cases, cats are not very concerned when other cats cross their [[Feline Territorial Behaviour|territory]] because it is normal for this to happen. Problems arise when other cats lurk in the garden, using their own vantage points to observe and threaten the resident cat in its own home or when it tries to enter the garden. To prevent this from happening, plant shrubs or planters and other obstacles can be used to obstruct the view. Another option is to make vantage points uncomfortable for other cats to use, for example by fixing burglar deterrent prickle strips onto fences or spots where intruder cats might rest in the garden.

==Introducing a Cat to a New Home/Environment==

==Introducing a Cat to a New Home/Environment==