The domestic cat is a strict carnivore whose physiology, territorial behavior, and nutritional needs remain close to those of its wild ancestors. Understanding these mechanisms allows for concrete adaptations in its environment, diet, and veterinary care.
Ban on sale in pet shops: what changes for adopting a cat
As of January 1, 2024, the sale and free transfer of cats in pet shops are prohibited in France. This regulatory change, still little reported in general guides, profoundly alters the process of acquiring a feline.
The only legal avenues remain registered breeders, shelters, or animal protection associations. Each transfer must be accompanied by a certificate of commitment and knowledge, signed at least seven days before the actual adoption.
Summer 2026 illustrates this new reality well: SPA shelters recorded an increase of about 20% in animals taken in compared to 2025, with cats representing the majority of entries. At the same time, adoptions increased by about 18%, which shortens the stay duration in shelters and diversifies the profiles of available cats. To delve deeper into the specifics of this species, cats on AlmAnimal serve as a useful complementary resource.
Cat territorial behavior: marking and living areas
The cat structures its space into three distinct zones: the resting place (often elevated), the feeding area, and the elimination zone. These three zones must be physically separated, otherwise behavioral issues can quickly arise.
Urine marking and facial marking
Urine marking, often confused with uncleanliness, is a territorial signal. The cat sprays urine on vertical surfaces to mark its perimeter. This behavior mainly concerns unneutered males but can occur in any cat under stress.
Facial marking works differently. The cat deposits calming pheromones by rubbing its cheeks against furniture, walls, or the legs of its cohabitants. A cat that no longer engages in this facial marking in its usual environment often expresses discomfort.
Coexistence between cats
Unlike dogs, cats are not obligate social animals. Coexisting two felines in the same household requires doubled resources:
- One litter box per cat, plus one extra (the “n+1” rule applied by veterinary behaviorists)
- Separate water and food points, spaced at least one meter apart
- Independent access to heights (cat trees, shelves) so each animal can isolate itself
Forcing proximity between two cats that have not chosen each other generates chronic stress, identifiable by excessive grooming, scratching, or urination outside the litter box.
Cat diet: animal proteins and meal splitting
The cat is a strict carnivore. Its body does not synthesize taurine or certain fatty acids, which it must find in its food. A diet low in animal proteins ultimately leads to cardiomyopathies and retinal disorders.
Meal splitting mimics the natural hunting rhythm. A cat spontaneously consumes between ten and fifteen small meals a day. Free-access kibble suits most cats, as they regulate their food intake, unlike dogs.
An overweight cat is an exception to this rule. Rationing must then be supervised by a veterinarian, with a gradual dietary transition over two to three weeks to avoid hepatic lipidosis, a serious condition related to too abrupt fasting in felines.
Signs of stress in cats: identifying abnormal behaviors
Feline stress signals are often subtle, delaying intervention. Four behaviors deserve particular attention:
- Compulsive licking, which causes symmetrical alopecia patches on the belly or hind legs
- Prolonged disappearance under furniture or in high places, beyond just napping
- Redirected aggression: the cat attacks a cohabitant (human or animal) after being stimulated by an inaccessible external element (bird behind the window, noise)
- Sudden uncleanliness in a previously clean cat, signaling physical discomfort or territorial conflict
A change in environment, even minor (moving furniture, arrival of a new cohabitant, construction work in the neighborhood), can trigger these reactions. A recent study on cats adapting to a new environment highlights the importance of providing a closed bedding area like a hideaway and access to heights from the first hours.
Neutering and identification: legal obligations in France
Identification by microchip is mandatory for any cat over seven months old. Neutering, however, is not yet mandated for individuals at the national level, although the Senate has highlighted the figure of 11 million stray cats in France, reigniting the debate on widespread obligation.
Several municipalities and intercommunalities have already enacted orders making neutering mandatory in their territories. Some local authorities offer free or reduced-cost neutering campaigns for pet cats, in partnership with local veterinary clinics.
Neutering significantly reduces urine marking, heat-related escapes, and fights among males. It also decreases the risk of mammary tumors in female cats and eliminates the risk of pyometra, a potentially fatal uterine infection.
Adopting a cat in 2026 involves navigating a more stringent regulatory framework than a few years ago. The ban on sales in pet shops, the pressure on shelters, and discussions around mandatory neutering are reshaping the relationship between owners and their felines.
