see more Lolcats and funny pictures
Space is the area the cat is used to having access to. For a timid cat, a small space is fine. It can actually be soothing, since they don’t feel pressured to patrol, or control, a space that is intimidating. An energetic cat needs “runways” to be able to run flat out, and often.
Reach is the area a cat thinks they can handle. A timid cat in a large, loft-type space might choose an area they feel comfortable in, even though their space is much larger. A confident cat will extend their Reach to whatever they can see from the windows. These are the kinds of cats who get upset when they see other cats in “their” territory.
Presence is when a cat can assert their preferences even when they are not physically there. Cats with strong opinions on their favorite spots will often find them vacant if they have a stronger presence than another cat, while cats with a weak Presence will find themselves shoved out of spaces even while they are in them.
People, dogs, parakeets; all have some impact on a cat’s sense of territory, but since people, dogs, and parakeets are usually not sleeping in the same places or doing the same things in them, we can usually share these spaces with the cat no matter who we are. Other cats have much more impact.
Cats who are neutral can be when they have enough space and reach to not get into conflicts about having enough. Cats who are friends will readily share both space and reach, and overlap their presence.
Cats who are foes will have difficulty with any overlaps from an unfriendly cat.
Understanding how cats juggle these different needs in their home territory will let us accommodate different cats even when these needs differ widely. We can let a cat with little reach or presence “own” a particular room, chair, or corner, and let the other cats know we will police their rights, even if this cat cannot.
We can allow a cat who loves Reach to have “outposts” in many areas of their territory, thus making it larger, mentally. If we let such a cat have access to a new window, or occasional trips to a place in the house where the other cats do not care to go, we have harmlessly increased such cats’ Reach, and let them feel they have it all to themselves.
This is the impetus behind a cat wanting to sneak down to the basement or explore the attic. If we can somehow open their territory, even if it is with supervised visits just with them, we can monitor their behavior to keep them from getting in trouble, and make them feel comfortable in the extra space, without having to claim it constantly.
Cats who try to make their Presence cover too much of the waterfront can make other cats feel oppressed and confined. Step in to let the big-headed cat know they are important, they are certainly something; so they can be magnanimous and let the other cats enjoy the shared space.
Often, making a fuss over the cat, especially when they are “sharing” or “making friends,” is what the cat is really after: attention. This expands their Presence without making them feel compelled to make the other cats fuss over them.
This is part of being the Boss of Cat Town. Making every cat feel as though their needs are being met.
Whatever they are.
Got here from a Link or Search?
There’s more ways to care for our cat with The Way of Cats than the article you are reading now. See all of my posts on CAT CARE.
Very interesting blog. My poor cats don’t really have a space of their own cause there are so many here. One cat does go next door under the house over there because she doesn’t like any other cats. But the rest pretty much share the spaces, even outside.
Margaret Elmendorf’s last blog post..I just think ponies are the best ever.