In remote areas, male cats living in the wild lay claim to patches of considerable size; females generally claim smaller areas. Since urban areas, and indeed rural localities and villages, are mostly overpopulated with cats, these animals have to come to terms with the situation in such regions, laying claim to significantly smaller territories.

The key factor determining a harmonious coexistence is the food supply. If this is limited, then major hunting expeditions become necessary – even into the neighbouring patch, if possible – and this in turn leads to confrontation. If the cat is fed regularly, the size of its territory generally decreases.

This may mean a place that has not been claimed as any cat’s patch, giving them the opportunity to meet. Likewise, at feeding places established by humans, cats are able to come closer to each other without conflict than would ever be possible on one cat’s patch.

Contrary to their usual behaviour, female cats sometimes assist each other when rearing their young. In addition to help provided in giving birth and caring for kittens, it is common within such groups for adult animals to groom each other. In individual instances, tomcats can also be seen exhibiting paternal behaviour, for example washing the kittens.

Among stray cats: sometimes feral cats band together to form a group without any clear hierarchies. Within such groups, it is rare for any sharing of tasks to be observable (the sole exception being the rearing of the young by females).