Cats are territorial animals
Territorial animals (like cats) have a very strong link with their territory, which is much stronger than the link they have with the other occupants.
Cats don’t necessarily need a large territory, but in all cases, they will organize their space by dividing it into at least 3 parts:
- Isolation areas where cats can rest: These areas are often high places where the cat won't be disturbed and are rarely shared with other cats.
- Activity areas where cats will play, hunt, eat, eliminate: Depending on the resources, the cat may be forced to share these areas.
- Passageways between all the areas (defined during various exploration activities): These paths will only change if there is a modification in the environment.
As long as these areas and passageways stay the same, cats will feel secure. Any change in the environment will disrupt the harmony of the territory, thus leading to stress.