I find it helps a lot to explain how a cat sees the world, and what it wants when establishing a âterritoryâ to pretend the cat is some sort of strategic military thinker or that youâre playing a resource management game.
Cats, particularly feral cats, can have territories that vary markedly in size and area, and in terms of how many other cats they will tolerate sharing that space. Outdoor cat proponents will often claim that cats âneedâ to roam, to have lots of space, but we really donât want that to happen because the world is not kind to cats, itâs outright dangerous, and we care about their health and welfare.
So, consider the available space from a resource-management standpoint, because thatâs kind of what the cat is doing. It has things that are âmust havesâ which will get increasingly problematic if it doesnât have them, and things that are âsuper niceâ which improve their lives. If you have enough of these resources, the cat doesnât need to wander, and can tolerate more cats together in a smaller space.
Your home, which you share with your cat, should be a resource rich area. You are providing for your pet. Thatâs part of the whole deal about âhaving a petâ.
A catâs âterritoryâ (read: their home) must have the following resources for them to remain within it. If theyâre inadequate, the cat will actively expand its territory.
Fresh water, ideally in locations separate from the food
Toilet station, ideally in locations separate from the food and the water. Cats may have a preference for litter/substrate type and covered or uncovered trays, but they generally should be spacious and somewhere quiet.
Secure hideout. The definition of âsecureâ will vary by cat, as some prefer to get as high as possible, some want to be under as many things as possible, but they want a place where they can watch the world and feel safe sleeping.
A step up from the bare basics, cats still seek out and require the following inside their âterritoryâ.
Human companionship. Thatâs right, for most cats you are a resource. Itâs not a coincidence that the cat always seems to be in the same room as you but pretending not to look at you. They want to be around you, some closer than others.
More hiding spots, both high and low
Scratching spots. If they donât have one, they will make one.
A place to watch the outdoors. A high vantage point from a window will do, as will a catio or harness walk.
Vertical space! Most cats enjoy climbing and by allowing more vertical spaces it makes what you think of as a small space practically bigger for the cat.
Play! If you donât give them things to play with, and that includes you, human, they will claim things to play with.
If a cat is lacking one of these resources, itâs natural for them to seek it elsewhere. Canât access the litter trays because the other cat guards their access and theyâre not getting along? Cat will make do somewhere else. Has absolutely zero enrichment or companionship inside? Of course itâs going to want to go outside. That doesnât mean outside is good, it just means inside wasnât good enough.
