Cats will mark their territory in different ways just like other animals mark
their territory. The following are some of the methods or behavioral characteristics
used by cats to mark their turf.
Cat Urinating
Cats will spray their urine in certain areas as a common method from marking
their territory. The cat's urine has a very distinctive scent that can be easily
detected by other cats and animals. This is comforting to the pet because they know
their scent has been distributed. However, this should not result in you letting
your cat urinate all over your furniture or rug. There are certain restrictions to
be placed on the cat in your house. It is completely natural behavior for a cat to
mark certain areas by urinating there. Cats that have not been neutered usually act
in this manner.
Cat Rubbing
Have you ever seen a cat that does not rub? Every cat will rub their head and
body on a person or other items including furniture in your house. A cat's hair
follicles contain sebaceous glands at the base of the follicle. A substance called
sebum is created by these glands. The sebum is used to cover the cat's fur and coat
for the pet's protection. It also is used to place his scent on different objects
in the cat's environment. These sebaceous glands are found all over the cat's body.
Cat Licking
Cats lick themselves on a constant basis. Everyone knows that. A cat will constantly
clean themselves over and over again. This is one of the reasons a person desires to
have a cat as a pet because they literally lick their bodies clean. However, this is
not the only reason that your pet is forever keeping themselves spot-free clean. A
cat's scent is carried in their saliva. Your cat is ensuring that their scent is placed
all over the cat's body by licking every inch of the fur they can reach. In a strange
way this ensures they have marked their territory even on their own body.
Cat Clawing
Why do cats claw everything? A cat is trying to achieve certain things as a result
of their clawing. One of these objectives is to help keep the cat's claws in shape and
healthy by scratching his claws on some object. This will result in the tip of claw
remaining sharp and removing the claw's outer layer. In addition, the clawing helps
in the marking of the cat's territory. Sweat glands exist at the bottom of the claw.
The cat's scent is released when the glands are rubbed on an object's surface. You will
never be able to stop a cat from scratching stuff or clawing.
