are cats territorial

Cats are indeed territorial animals. They typically defend a specific area, which serves as their safe space to eat, sleep, and play. The extent of territorial behavior varies among cats, but many cats mark their territory through scent marking, such as spraying urine or rubbing scent glands on objects. Territorial disputes usually occur when another cat invades this space, which can lead to threatening gestures or sometimes fighting to settle hierarchy. This behavior is natural and can apply both to indoor and outdoor cats, with males often having larger territories that may overlap with females' territories. Cats prefer to have a personal space even when coexisting with other cats, and this space is vigorously defended when needed.