Stand Your Ground

We cats are fortunate to have a sophisticated defense system to protect our territory. For example, when I’m out on patrol, I rub my face against objects to leave behind my facial pheromones. Humans might think of this as the feline equivalent of leaving a pool towel on a sun lounger to claim it.

While surveying my territory, I also leave deep scratch marks on tree trunks. These act as visual billboards, advertising my size and strength. If that doesn’t do the trick, I spray urine at high-traffic spots along the perimeter to alert outsiders to my presence. Admittedly, this may sound a little unorthodox, but trust me, the results speak for themselves!

Additional Hunters Unwanted

Any intruder bold enough to ignore these signs will trigger an immediate escalation. The opening phase is purely psychological. I arch my back, puff out my fur, and flatten my ears. If this message doesn’t sink in, phase two includes sharp, rhythmic hissing. Phase three then involves a more physical form of contact. The intruder will experience my claws and teeth first-hand.

These security protocols send an unambiguous message: Uninvited guests are not welcome. Unlike other mammals, we cats understand the importance of resource management. The presence of an additional hunter in the area directly results in fewer mice for all of us.