01/08/2025
Your cat isn’t trying to be the alpha because that’s not how cat social structure works.
Believe it or not, cats don’t follow a social hierarchy or pack mentality. Their social structure is based on territory, resources, safety, and personal preference—not dominance.
In multi-cat households or feral colonies, most cats tend to avoid each other unless they choose to form close bonds. While cats in colonies may cohabitate for survival and safety, territory still plays a key role. If an outsider attempts to join the colony or share resources, members will often defend their space and chase the intruder away.
In multi-cat households, you may also notice conflicts over key resources such as food, water, or the litter box. This happens when a cat claims a resource as its territory. Behaviorists recommend providing multiple resources throughout the home to help reduce competition.
Sometimes, their social interactions are more fluid. For example, one cat may claim the sunny spot on the cat tree one day, but the next day, a different cat might be enjoying that spot instead. And, of course, cats can create strong bonds with other cats, pets, or people, which will be discussed further in an upcoming post.
Knowing that a cat's social structure is based on territory and their own preferences allows us to understand and meet them where they are.
