Why Do Cats Fight?

Should you let cats fight it out?

How to Manage Fighting and Aggression Between Cats in cats — like aggression and fighting — can come on suddenly or gradually. When they happen, it can be stressful for you and your cat. Any sudden change in your cat’s behavior could be a sign of an underlying medical condition.

1. Diseases such as hyperthyroidism, osteoarthritis, dental disease, and central nervous system problems may cause aggression.
2. See a veterinarian to make sure your cat is healthy.
3. If your veterinarian rules out medical problems, you’ll need to identify the cause of the aggression to develop a behavior modification plan with your vet (or other professional)”.

If there’s no medical reason for your cat acting aggressively, one of the following could be in play: Fear aggression. Fear aggression may occur in situations that make your cat feel threatened or trapped. If your cat feels afraid, they may act in aggressive ways to defend themselves.

Maternal aggression. Maternal aggression may happen when an animal or person approaches a mother cat and her kittens. The mother cat may growl or hiss, swat at, chase, or even try to bite another cat who gets too close, even if they typically get along. Maternal aggression usually goes away after the kittens are weaned from nursing.

If a female cat is maternally aggressive, consider to prevent any more litters. Play aggression. All feline play consists of mock aggression, so rough play is nothing out of the ordinary. Cats may stalk, chase, swipe, sneak, pounce, kick, ambush, and even scratch or bite each other during play.

However, play can lead to overstimulation, which can escalate to aggression. This commonly happens between cats with a significant age difference. Territorial aggression. All animals can be territorial, and cats are no exception. When cats perceive their territory is being encroached upon, they may hiss, swat, growl, and even stalk and/or chase the “intruder” — whether that’s another cat or a person.

Your cat’s eyes, ears, body, and tail all attempt to communicate their feelings — with you and with other cats and animals. Some postures and cues to look for include:

If your cat’s ears are backward, sideways, or lying flat (“airplane ears”), they’re likely annoyed, angry, or frightened.If their pupils are dilated, they may be feeling nervous or submissive, or defensively aggressive.If their tail is held low or tucked between their legs, they may be feeling anxious. If it’s thrashing back and forth, they’re likely agitated.If their back is arched and their fur is standing on end, they might be scared or angry.

Cats’ vocalizations also communicate their feelings:

Growling and/or hissing indicates your cat is annoyed, angry, frightened, or aggressive. Yowling or howling means your cat is in some kind of distress. They could be in pain, trapped, or afraid.

Treatment for aggression or fighting between cats varies depending on the type of aggressive behavior but may include desensitization, counterconditioning techniques, or drug therapy. Management methods for cat aggression include:

Spay or neuter your cats. Fighting is common between intact (unneutered) males, and intact females are likely to have litters, leading to maternal aggression.Provide additional perches and hiding spots, such as boxes and cat trees. This allows your cat(s) to escape and/or hide when they feel threatened or afraid.Have plenty of cats’ supplies. Having multiple food and water bowls, litter boxes, perches, and toys can prevent fighting over resources.Reinforce incompatible behaviors — any behaviors that cannot occur at the same time as the problem behavior. Praise them and toss to reward your cats.Try using pheromones. There are products that mimic a natural cat odor, which may be effective in decreasing aggression.Keep cats separated, especially at mealtimes. Separation may need to last only a few days, but if the aggression is persistent and severe, it may take several weeks before you can gradually reintroduce the cats.

When you’re trying to help your cats get along, it’s important to pay attention to whether they’re playing or really fighting. If the fight is real, you want to break it up and respond appropriately afterward.

Don’t let them fight it out. If it’s a real fight, never let your cats fight it out. Cats don’t solve disagreements with aggressiveness. You don’t want to get in the middle of two fighting cats, so try to distract them instead, with a loud noise or sudden movement to break their concentration on their fight. Don’t punish your cat. Never punish your cat for aggressive behavior toward another cat. Punishment can make fearful or aggressive behaviors worse. Don’t reassure them. In that same vein, don’t try to calm or soothe your aggressive cat. Instead, give them space.

If your cat’s aggression is severe or becomes unmanageable, contact a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist (CAAB or ACAAB) or a board-certified veterinary behaviorist (Dip ACVB) for guidance. These professionals can provide deeper insight and guidance on for your cats.

How do you stop cats fighting?

Our top tips to stop your cat from fighting outside – Fighting can lead to some nasty injuries on cats, especially from cat bites. It may also leave your cat feeling very stressed, which can also cause some serious illnesses, so it’s best to do what you can to prevent your cat fighting in the first place.

Consider time inside. If your cat doesn’t mind spending some time indoors, try to monitor when neighbourhood cats are around so you can engage your cat in a fun activity to keep them inside and avoid conflict. Use visual barriers such as curtains or blinds so neighbourhood cats cannot see into your home and your cat cannot see other cats outside. If your cat becomes frustrated and wants to go outside, let them, but try to monitor them so you can step in if needed. Keep to a routine. Making things consistent can help your cat avoid fights. A predictable schedule can help cats avoid each other. This is especially important if it’s not practical to allow your cat free access to go outdoors as they choose. If you keep having problems between particular cats, you could try to agree on a schedule with the other owner for when each cat goes outside, too. Never force your cat outside if they’d prefer to stay in. If there’s another cat in the neighbourhood that your cat doesn’t get along with, they may be choosing to stay in to avoid bumping into them. Get a microchip cat flap. You can buy cat flaps which only open when your cat’s microchip is recognised so that other cats can’t get into your house. This way, your cat can safely come and go as they choose without the worry of other cats coming into their home. Neuter your cat. Getting your cat neutered can also help as unneutered tomcats can be more territorial and unneutered females cats can have trouble with male cats who are interested in them. Find out more about the benefits of neutering your cat. If you know the owner of a cat that may be fighting with your cat, have a chat to them to check that their cat is neutered, too. Check your garden is secure. A garden with a high fence, especially if it has a 45 degree angle at the top, will keep your cat in and neighbourhood cats out. This will help them avoid fights but it’s important to make sure they’re plenty keep your cat occupied if they’re going to be in your garden (or house) full time. A garden full of safe plants and bushes will give them lots to sniff at and explore. Spend time playing with your cat and put up some other toys to keep them occupied as well. Read our vets’ advice on buying toys for your cat.

Why do cats fight each other at night?

They’re marking their territory – When a cat fights, it’s not just to defend itself. It is marking its territory! Cats usually fight during the night, when they are trying to keep an area under their control. This is how they establish their family and social groups, after all. This is also when they use their psychic powers to dictate who gets what room and who goes where, as they’re sleeping.

Why is my cat attacking my other cat?

Fortunately, aggression in cats is easier to make sense of and typically derives from two impulses: fear and mistrust. These are the most likely scenarios to cause fear and mistrust amongst cats: One or more cats in the home are intact (not spayed or neutered). A new cat recently entered the home.

Is my cat OK after a fight?

Has my cat been in a fight — Woofpurnay Veterinary Hospital | Professional compassionate care | Emergency Vet Cats may be small, but they can inflict a lot of damage if they get into a fight. Some wounds are obvious, while others may go unnoticed, hidden by their coat. Bite wounds often become infected due to the bacteria in a cat’s mouth that can contaminate the wound. There are a number of reasons cats get into fights, many of which relate to their natural feline behaviour. Here are some common reasons cats fight: Territory – cats are territorial animals and can get in a fight with another cat to protect their homeland.

It is common for cats to fight directly outside their home when they feel another cat has invaded their space. If your cat likes to wander, they may cross paths with another feline that wants to defend their territory. Un-neutered male cats are very territorial and will not only defend the land around their home but will continuously try to expand the boundaries of their territory.

This means they can be constantly fighting to keep out intruders as they expand their space. Intruder – fighting can result when you introduce another cat into the family. A cat that has had a bad experience with another cat early on in life may struggle with another cat in the household.

Similarly, if your cat has grown up as the only cat in the household, they may find it difficult to accept a new cat into their already established territory. Personality clashes can also occur. Cats prefer consistency over change, so a disruption to their routine and environment can be difficult for them to accept.

There are a number of steps you can take to help settle new pets into your family. For details, Possessions – cats have an instinctive urge to mark their territory by leaving their scent. This is often done by scratching or rubbing their head or body against items, areas and even family members.

1. Cats that live together can get in a fight to protect their food, toys or their favourite place to relax.
2. If you have more than one cat in your household, make sure they each have their own personal items.
3. This includes bed, food bowl, water bowl, litter tray and favourite toy.
4. Its also important to provide plenty of private hiding spaces so each cat can get their own personal space.

Rough play – sometimes when cats play it can get a little rough. Normally cat play is harmless, however sometimes this can escalate into a fight which can inflict harm on both or one of your cats. If this happens, distract your cats by clapping your hands or stomping your feet loudly to safely stop them fighting. It can be distressing to see or hear your cat in a fight. Whether it’s between your own cats or with another cat in the neighbourhood, never use your hands, feet or body to separate them. Cats can get quite worked up when they start fighting which may result in you receiving some nasty bites or scratches.

Make a loud noise – by clapping your hands loudly, shaking their favourite toy, slamming the door or stomping your feet to try and divert their attention. Blocked vision – try throwing a towel, blanket or jacket over both cats. They may stop fighting if they cannot see each other anymore.

Sometimes it can be obvious when you cat has been in a fight if they are visibly hurt or distressed. However, other times the signs are subtle or may be hidden under their coat. While every cat is different, common cat fight injuries include:

Bite wounds, scratches or punctures Lameness Crying or growling Difficulty jumping or moving around Tender areas Self-grooming painful areas Abscess (pus filled pocket) forming on the skin Loss of appetite Lethargy Fever

When a cat bites, its sharp teeth can easily puncture your cats skin. This can leave a small, deep wound. These bites seal over quickly, trapping bacteria beneath the skin. Often, there is no sign of the bite so it can go unnoticed for several days until pain and swelling occurs as bacteria rapidly multiplies under the skin and the tissue surrounding the site becomes infected.

At this point the cat can often develop a fever. They may also become lethargic or lose their appetite. In areas of loose skin, an abscess can develop (pocket of pus). These can be quite painful for your cat and often they will not let you touch near this area. In areas where the skin is tighter such as the foot, leg or tail, a widespread infection of the tissues beneath the skin can develop.

This type of infection is called cellulitis. Both abscesses and cellulitis can make your cat extremely ill. Occasionally, cat bites can result in septic arthritis (infected joint), osteomyelitis (bone infection) or pyothorax (infection in the chest cavity). If your cat is involved in a fight it is important to know how to look after them once the fight is over.

Remove your cat from the situation – the first thing you should do is take your cat away from the other cat involved. If the fight was with another cat in the neighbourhood, gently carry them home. If it is between two cats in your home, separate them into different rooms. Take them somewhere comfortable that you can offer calm and check them over for any injuries. Calm them down – this can be quite a traumatic event for everyone involved so offer your cat some comforting, soothing words and gentle pats to help them and you recover. Check for injuries – you will need to check over your cat for any bite wounds, scratches, punctures or tender areas. Look over your cat’s entire body visually, then if they will let you gently check them over with your hands. Pay close attention to their skin and check areas that are commonly hurt such as their ears, tail and legs. Take them to the vet – to protect your cat from infection, take your cat to the vet if they have any injuries, especially a bite wound. It is always a good idea to have your cat looked over by your vet if they have been in a fight to make sure they are ok and that there are no internal issues or hidden puncture wounds that you may not be aware of. Your vet can give your cat a thorough check-over, clean any bite wounds and address any other issues. They may also offer an antibiotic to prevent infection.

One of the best ways to stop your cat from getting into fights is to work on ways to prevent it happening in the first place.

Spay or neuter your cat – this will reduce the desire for male cats to fight to keep out intruders from their continuously expanding territory around their home. It will also eliminate the desire for female cats to roam while on heat. Keep them indoors – confining your cat to your home, especially during the night when cat fights are most common is a great step towards preventing cat fights in the neighbourhood. Consider installing a cat enclosure for cats that love the outdoors. Placed in a weatherproof area, they allow your cat to experience the wonders of the great outdoors, while keeping them safe and sound. Vaccinations – make sure you cat is not at risk of serious diseases if they ever do get bitten by wild or infected animals by vaccinating them. Keep their vaccinations up to date, including their annual booster shots. If you are unsure about your pet’s previous vaccinations or when their next vaccination is due, give us a call on 03 8784 4444. It’s never too late to start a vaccination program for your pet. Places to hide – make sure all cats in your household have plenty of vertical spaces and hiding spots. This will allow them to escape or hide if they feel threatened or scared. It will also double as a quiet place for them to retreat when they want some time to themselves. Plenty of cat supplies – if you have more than one cat in your household, make sure they each have their own personal items. This includes bed, food bowl, water bowl, litter tray and favourite toy. It is also important to provide multiple litter trays throughout the home for each cat. Generally, you need one litter tray per cat, plus an extra one. Feed multiple cats separately – it is much safer to feed multiple cats on other sides of the room or in separate rooms if they are possessive. You can also wash and place their food bowls out of reach once they finish their meal. Understand body language – there are some common signs to look out for that a cat feels angry, threatened or frightened and is ready to snap. These include growling, hissing, flattened ears, arched back, fur standing up, thrashing tail or tail tucked between legs. If you notice any of these signs from yours or another cat, remove your cat as quickly as possible to avoid a fight. Play and stimulation – keep your cat happy by fulfilling their natural hunting, chasing and fighting instincts through play. Use a wand or laser toy for your cat to run, jump and chase after, bubbles for your cat to swat with their paws, or a mouse toy for your cat to pounce on and wrestle with. Try to take some time out each day to play with, cuddle or pat your cat. Vary it up and try to find a range of toys and activities that engage your cat’s interest.

We hope that your cat never gets involved in a fight. There are a number of steps you can take to keep your cat safe and prevent fighting both in the neighbourhood or inside your home if you have multiple cats. If you require behavioural advice, veterinary care or emergency support, call us on 03 8784 4444.

How normal is it for cats to fight?

How To Tell if Your Cats Are Playing or Fighting? – Most cats in affiliated social groups will engage in play fighting. Play is important for all cats. Whether young or old, play has a positive impact on a cat’s emotional state while providing stimulation from boredom and helping to develop and maintain social bonds.

Do cats get traumatized after a cat fight?

How to tell if your cat has been fighting – Sometimes, cat fight wounds are obvious – your cat may have a torn or scratched ear or a wound on their skin. Typically, cat fight injuries are puncture wounds, because cats tend either to swipe each other with their claws or they bite, using their long canine teeth.

If your cat has been involved in a fight, you might suspect from their behaviour that they have suffered a scare or a traumatic event. Often, the signs of a cat fight are subtle and your cat might just seem jumpy and on edge, subdued or lame, They may rush indoors and hide, because cats often feel upset and traumatized after a fight,

Once your cat has calmed down, and if they’ll let you, the best way to check your cat for fighting wounds is by using your fingertips. Very soon after a cat gets bitten or clawed, before the wound begins to swell, a tiny bead of dried blood or serum (clear fluid) usually appears on the punctured skin.

These can take time to find, but they are much more obvious to feel than to see. A cat fight scratch wound normally needs to be managed differently to a puncture wound. For instance, a scratch wound on the ear might bleed a little at first but, once it has been cleaned, you will be able to keep an eye on it for a few days and you’ll notice if it starts to look swollen, sticky or infected, or if your cat seems to be paying it a lot of attention.

Puncture wounds are difficult to spot because they don’t normally bleed much. The skin over a puncture wound often heals over quickly. This seals in all the bacteria and dirt deep within the tissue and prevents oxygen from getting in, which can promote the growth of certain infection-causing micro-organisms.

Do cats hurt each other when they fight?

How can I tell if my cats’ fighting is serious? – Many cats will enjoy play fighting and will chase each other, roll around and bat each other with their paws. The key difference between play fighting and real fighting with cats is noise. Play fighting is usually silent, with plenty of pauses as each cat repositions themselves.

Any biting is gentle and doesn’t cause injury or pain and claws are usually retracted. Play fighting can, on occasions, escalate and if your cats start hissing or screeching this may indicate that one of them is getting a little too rough. When play fighting, both cats will also go back to normal afterwards with no obvious tension between them.

If your cats are fighting every time they see each other for example, this is an obvious issue, but some other signs of real fighting might be harder to spot. If cats are fighting or are tense around each other this can be very distressing. Distressed cats might develop physical symptoms such as bladder problems, or behavioural ones like going to the toilet in the house,

Why do cats fight so viciously?

Why do cats fight? – Territory: Cats are territorial animals and they will often fight to defend what they believe is their territory. This is most common with cat fights that happen outside the house, where your cat believes another cat has encroached on their land.

Alternately, a feral cat could believe your cat should not be here. But such fighting is also common among cats who live together. Cats mark their territories with scent, and your house is no exception. If you have more than one cat living at home, they will often fight about this issue. Aggression: Some cats can be aggressive by nature.

Male cats are especially aggressive and these cats keep fighting. Sometimes, they also dominate female cats. Your cat may need to act out their aggression by picking fights with their brothers and sisters or by causing a fight with a strange cat. Rough play: Sometimes cats can be playing and it can get rough.

Why do cats cuddle and then fight?

Cats May Sometimes Play Fight after Grooming – Sometimes cats that groom each other will suddenly start to ” play fight,” This may simply be a case of over-stimulation. Cats can sometimes become irritable or stressed around people if they are touched for too long.

Usually, they first try to communicate this by twitching their tails. If that doesn’t work, they may end up scratching the offender. That’s why if one cat grooms another for too long, the two cats might start play fighting. If you see your cats grooming each other, be glad. This means your cats are bonded and have an e-meow-tionally healthy relationship.1.

McCracken, Susan Logan. “Why Do Cats Groom Each Other?” Catster, 4 March 2020, https://www.catster.com/cat-behavior/why-do-cats-groom-each-other,2. Paoletta, Rae. “Why Cats Lick and Bite You, According to Science.” Inverse, 8 May, 2018, https://www.inverse.com/article/44533-why-do-cats-lick-you-science-explains,3.

Why do cats turn sideways when fighting?

Signs of Conflict –

The Assertive Cat	The Threatened Cat
Never backs away from other cats	Spends large amounts of time hiding or away from the family
Stares at other cats	Avoids eye contact with other cats
Denies other cats access to resources	Yields resources to other cats
Rub cheeks, head, chin, and tail on people, doorways, and furniture at cat height.
When it sees the victim:	When it sees the assertive cat:
Lowers its head and neck while elevating its hindquarters and stalks the other cat.	Crouches, may then flee
The hair along its back, on its tail and tail base may stand on end
Growls	Does not vocalize
May spray	May spray
	May develop cystitis or other disease problem.

Signs of conflict between cats can be open or silent. Signs of open conflict are easy to recognize; the cats may stalk each other, hiss, and turn sideways with legs straight and hair standing on end up to make themselves look larger. If neither backs down, the displays may increase to swatting, wrestling, and biting.

1. The signs of silent conflict can be so subtle they are easily missed.
2. The cat creating the conflict can be identified as the one that never backs away from other cats, denies other cats access to resources, stares at other cats, and lowers its head and neck while elevating its hindquarters as it approaches less confident cats.

The hair along its back, on its tail and tail base may stand on end, although not to the extent of cats engaged in open conflict, and it may emit a low growl. The cat creating the conflict eventually may only have to approach or stare at another cat for it to leave a resource such as food or a litter box.

If the threatened cat tries to use the resource later, the more confident cat’s presence alone may be enough to make it flee. Threatened cats often spend increasingly large amounts of time away from the family, in areas of the house that others do not use, or spend time with the owners only when the more confident cat elsewhere.

The signs of conflict can result from three types of conflict; offensive, defensive, and re-directed. In offensive conflict, the more confident cat moves closer to the other cats, and to control the interaction. In defensive conflict situations, a cat tries to increase the distance between itself and something it perceives as a threat.

Is it normal for cats to play fight every day?

Other Types of Aggression to Consider – Maternal Aggression A female cat with a litter of kittens may hiss, growl, chase, swat or try to bite another cat who approaches, even one with whom she was formerly friendly. Maternal aggression usually subsides once the kittens are weaned.

1. It’s a good idea to spay maternally aggressive cats to prevent future litters and future aggression problems.
2. Play Aggression It’s common for kittens and young cats to engage in rough, active play because all feline play consists of mock aggression.
3. Cats stalk, chase, sneak, pounce, swat, kick, scratch, ambush, attack and bite each other—all in good fun.

If they’re playing, it’s reciprocal. They change roles frequently. Their ears are typically forward in play, their claws may be out but they don’t cause damage, and their bodies lean forward not back.

Will cats eventually get along?

Introducing Your Cat to a New Cat Free-ranging and feral cats lead complex and busy lives. They maintain far larger territories than most people realize, and these territories often contain a variety of environments, such as forests, farmlands, urban gardens and yards.

Within these territories, cats explore, hunt and scavenge for food alone. They only occasionally interact with other cats. They don’t live in groups or even pairs, and they don’t seek out contact with other cats. In fact, they actively avoid it. Considering this natural behavior of cats, it isn’t surprising that it can be very difficult to introduce a new cat into an established cat’s territory, even when that territory is your home.

If you’re bringing a new cat into your home, be patient. The introduction must be gradual. Following the initial introduction, it can take a very long time for a relationship to grow. It takes most cats eight to 12 months to develop a friendship with a new cat.

• Although some cats certainly become close friends, others never do.
• Many cats who don’t become buddies learn to avoid each other, but some cats fight when introduced and continue to do so until one of the cats must be re-homed.
• If your resident cat becomes aggressive when she sees other cats outside your home, you’ll probably have a difficult time introducing a new cat into your household.

If your cat has lived harmoniously with other cats in the past, the odds are good that she’ll adjust to a newcomer. However, it’s impossible to predict whether or not any two individual cats will get along. Unfortunately, there are no reliable guides for deciding the best matches among cats.

What is the alpha cat behavior?

Dr. Nicholas Dodman
Behavioral Disorders

THE BITING CAT Cats are supposed to be warm and friendly creatures, seeking owner approval, petting and cuddles and purring their way through peaceful evenings at home. But not all cats are this amiable or this compliant. Some have an agenda of their own and seemingly refuse to take no for an answer.

1. These are “alpha cats.” They are natural leaders; they refuse to be led and attempt to take charge of practically every situation.
2. These cats like their food when they want it and the way that they like it or else.
3. They may only let you touch them for short periods of time and then again, only on their terms.

They rebel when admonished and demand attention, access, and assets – when the mood so takes them. You don’t own an alpha cat – he owns you, or at least, he thinks he does. When alphas don’t get their own way, they bully and pressure you into immediate action.

• They may bite your nose or toes to get you out of bed in the morning.
• They may shriek their demands for food until you are forced to give in.
• They may growl if approached while eating and some are protective of their toys and naptime.
• And watch out if you try to pick up your alpha cat or pet him when he’s not in the mood.

He may bite or claw his negative message to you in no uncertain terms. Perhaps the most classical component of the alpha cat syndrome is petting-induced aggression. Alphas will jump up on your lap and allow themselves to be petted – but only for a short while.

1. And when they’ve had enough, they narrow their eyes, glance sideways at the petting hand, and their tail begins to switch from side to side.
2. This is the writing on the wall that heralds an imminent meltdown: Suddenly he’ll swat, bite, and maybe roll onto his side so he can attack you with all five sharp points simultaneously.

What to do? In essence, they must be shown who calls the shots, who is really charge, and who is the supplier of all good things. Then and only then will their bossiness be honed into acceptance and respect. The name of the behavior modification program is “Nothing in Life is Free.” It is a non-confrontational “tough love” leadership program in which the cat is required to earn all valued assets from the owner.

How do you know if a cat fight is serious?

What does this tell you about your cats’ play? – If your cats are wrestling, they are most likely playing. When there is friction between cats in a multi-cat household, they tend to avoid physical contact. Instead, they’ll use offensive or defensive manoeuvres that don’t involve extended direct contact, such as slapping.

1. If your cats are vocalising, and chasing between periods of inactivity (such as crouching) they are most likely fighting.
2. Vocalisation is an especially important clue here to an aggressive, rather than playful interaction.
3. Chasing is OK if it’s mutual, but if one cat is chasing or one cat is running away, that’s not so positive.

The intermediate group is the tricky one. It contains elements of both playful and agonistic behaviours, though was more closely related to the playful than the agonistic group. This suggests play could become agonistic, depending on what happens during the interaction.

How long can a cat fight last?

The Dos and Don’ts of Breaking Up a Cat Fight One evening last spring as I was leaving the house, my dog barked and scared my indoor cat Luisa outside where she came face-to-face with the neighbor’s cat. They both frizzed out and started yowling, and I knew I needed to stop the fight before it started.

I grabbed Luisa by the scruff with my right hand and planned to put her back into the house, but before I could, she turned her head and chomped down on my left hand. The next morning, I found myself in urgent care with a painfully swollen hand and a doctor who wanted me to go to the ER for intravenous antibiotics.

Most cat owners know the feeling: you find your cat face-to-face with a strange feline and the fur is about to fly. While having can help alleviate vet bills if your cat is injured, in that crucial moment, you need to know what to do and what not to do in order to avoid a serious cat fight with potentially dire implications.

• DO remember that cats will make lots of noise before they’re actually fighting.
• All that caterwauling serves as a warning to get the other cat to back off before a physical fight starts.
• This phase will usually buy you some time to follow the tips below.
• DO get all other pets and kids out of the area and prevent them from coming to see the action.

If you have a dog, make sure it’s safely inside and close the doors so other pets can’t come out to investigate. DON’T reach for the cats – not even your own. You absolutely will not be successful trying to swat them or break up a fight with your bare hands.

• DO grab the nearest squirt bottle, water gun, watering can or hose.
• A good dose of water will separate most cats within a few seconds.
• Even if you have to run back into the house to get a pot of water, it’s probably the most surefire way to stop a cat fight.
• DON’T hit the animals.
• Can be seriously jeopardized with even the slightest whap of a stick or broom.

DON’T try to pick up your cat even when you think the fight is over – your cat will still be agitated and feeling defensive. If you absolutely must move her, grab a thick blanket, gently toss it over your cat and calmly carry her back into your house.

• The familiar scent and darkness created by the blanket will help calm her down.
• DO check your cat carefully once she’s calmed down, and seek veterinary care if any contact was made between the two cats or if you see any injuries.
• For cats can help defray the costs of veterinary expenses due to cat fights.

DO consider spaying or neutering your cat if you haven’t already. Altered cats are less likely to be territorial and are less likely to roam and get into fights on other cats’ turf. Routine care coverage added to your plan can often help pay for, Most cat fights only last a few seconds, yet can feel like an eternity when you’re standing there helpless.

How do you calm a cat after a cat fight?

How to reintroduce sparring cats – How do you get two fighting cats to live in harmony with each other? It’s a slow, gradual process, sometimes taking several weeks before the cats agree to a ceasefire, so be patient.

To start with, house the cats separately, closed off from each other, each with their own food, water, bed and litter box. If one cat must live in a smaller, more confined area, be sure and provide plenty of enrichment and playtime. Since cats form positive associations over food, try placing their food dishes on either side of the door that separates the two. Allow cats to sniff each other under the closed door. After a few days in their separate areas, move the cats to each other’s space for one minute apiece. Then, swap them back. Make sure they don’t physically encounter each other during the swaps. During and after these sessions, they’ll likely be focused on the scent left behind by the other cat. Once cats become acclimated to the above, it’s time to help them get used to being in the same room with each other. Contain the cats in harnesses and carriers, placing them on opposite sides of the room. Feed them a meal. If they’re too agitated or too anxious to eat, try increasing the distance. As they become increasingly calm with the presence of the other cat, place them nearer to each other in the following session.

Once the cats respond calmly to the other’s presence (no signs of aggression or fear), release them in the same room, on opposite sides. Again, feed them a meal. Gradually increase the time spent together in the room until you can be sure they can handle each other.

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What not to do when cats are fighting?

How to Stop Cat Fights – To stop cats from fighting, you’ll want to redirect their attention. You can do this with a short, sudden noise, such as hissing from a can of compressed air (not directed at the cats). You could also redirect play behavior toward an appropriate toy, such as a wand toy,

Is it better to have two cats of the same gender?

Twice the love for less work. – You only have to kitten-proof your house once regardless of how many kitties you’re bringing home. Two kittens means two new lives in your house that will provide double the entertainment, snuggles and love! Tips:

Look for kittens from the same litter or a pair that bonded during their time in an animal shelter. That way you’re guaranteed that their personalities will match! It’s suggested that you choose two male cats or a male and female combination if bringing home two kittens who are not already bonded as they tend to get along better than two females. Cats generally don’t like eating close together, so consider placing your kittens’ food bowls across the room from each other. Get a free quote and enroll both kittens in pet insurance to provide coverage for accidents and common kitten illnesses, as well as routine checkups, so you don’t have to worry about unexpected vet bills. There are endless reasons your kittens need pet insurance, and the cost of pet insurance is significantly lower when enrolling your cats at a young age.

How long to let cats fight it out?

My cats have suddenly started fighting – If your cats have suddenly started fighting, the safest option is to separate them into different rooms for 24-48 hours until they have both calmed down. You should also keep them inside for this time in order to avoid them meeting and fighting outside.

Eep an eye out for any signs that your cats are frustrated by being kept inside, such as pacing, meowing to be let out, or raising themselves up by the door. Make sure your cats are kept separate for long enough that they can calm down, but not so long that they become frustrated and potentially more stressed.

If you think either of them might be injured, get in touch with your vet as soon as possible. It is safest to separate two cats who are fighting using a thick blanket or by gently pushing a soft bristled broom between them. Don’t try to pick them up with your bare hands as you might get hurt by accident.

If you are able to separate them into different parts of the house make sure they both have easy access to food, water, a place to sleep, somewhere to hide, a scratching post and a litter tray, Once they’ve both had time to cool off, re-introducing them may be as simple as opening the doors and allowing them to meet again.

However, if the fighting resumes when they see each other, you might need to keep them apart for a while longer and essentially treat them as complete strangers meeting for the first time,

Should you let cats hiss at each other?

First impressions between pets are just as important as they are between people. By providing a slow and steady introduction, the result can be rewarding for both your feline companions. Here are a few tips and precautionary steps to help make cat-cat introductions pleasant for everyone involved.

• Eep the cats separate at first.
• House the new cat in a separate room for at least seven days with food, water, comfortable bedding, a litter box(es), and all of the necessities to keep him happy and healthy.
• This allows the cats to get used to each other’s scent without needing to confront the other.

We recommend using Comfort Zone® with Feliway® diffusers or spray during this separation, as well as the initial stages of the introduction. The Feliway® pheromone helps to reduce anxiety during times of change. Encourage positive associations between the cats while they are separated.

Do this by feeding treats or canned food to them near the door that separates them. You can also swap bedding every couple of days so they can further explore each other’s scent. Some hissing is normal during this stage. Don’t punish the cats for hissing or growling as that can form a negative association about the other cat, as well as you.

Allow the cats to see each other once there has been no hissing for a couple of days. If there is no hissing within seven days of your new cat being home, just open the door and permit the cats to explore. Do not force either cat to see the other. Have some treats handy so they can have a pleasant experience together right away.

• As long as they appear to be relaxed, allow them both out.
• Again, some hissing when they see each other is normal so don’t be alarmed.
• Some light swatting is also common.
• Separate them if the hissing doesn’t die down after 1 or 2 minutes or if there is any sign of threat (swatting with force, chasing, screaming, ears flattened, etc.).

Try again when the cats seem to be calm. If it takes more than seven days for the hissing to stop, things need to go more gradually. Allow the cats to see each other while maintaining a physical barrier, such as stacking baby gates in the doorway, opening the door an inch or two and using a door stop to keep the door open, or putting in a screen door.

Continue to feed treats to the cats on opposite sides of the door. If one of the cats won’t eat, move the food far enough from the door for the cat to feel secure enough to eat. Praise them for being calm when they see each other. Continue this until the cats have shown no tension around each other for a couple of days, then open the door and proceed as above.

Note: The initial introduction should take place during a time when the cats are calm – perhaps shortly after a meal or play time. You need to be calm, as well. Cats can sense tension; your nervousness could translate to anxiety for them, causing a rocky meeting.

1. Gradually increase the amount of time the cats spend around each other while you are home and supervising.
2. Once they are routinely spending 4 or 5 hours together without incident, you should be able to give both cats free run of the home overnight and then when you are away.
3. The average time frame is a few weeks but it could take months for the cats to learn to tolerate each other.

Maintain a separate litter box and feeding area for the new cat in his room for a few weeks. It is highly recommended to have multiple resources for multiple cats. As long as the cats are getting along after a few weeks of being together you can try to forgo the extra food and water bowls if you must but watch for any signs of animosity or stress and return the bowls.

Should I let cats duke it out?

The Basics Aggression refers to threats or attacks. Aggressive acts in cats include hissing, growling, swatting, chasing, and biting. Cats can have various kinds of aggressive behaviors. Non-recognition aggression occurs when one cat is uncharacteristically aggressive toward a companion cat after a period of separation.

The returning cat is unrecognizable and/or perceived as a threat because he or she smells like the veterinarian’s office.The smell of alcohol or disinfectant on the returning cat reminds the aggressive cat of a negative experience at the veterinarian’s office.The returning cat may have discharged his or her anal sacs at the veterinarian’s office. The discharge may contain a pheromone (a natural feline odor that humans can’t smell) that signals danger to your other cat, causing him or her to become aggressive.

What to Do Never let your cats “fight it out.” Cats don’t resolve their issues through fighting. Interrupt aggression or fighting by clapping your hands loudly, squirting the aggressive cat with a water gun, or directing compressed air (without noise) at the aggressive cat.

Try to “herd” the aggressor into a separate room so that he or she can calm down, which might take several hours. If necessary, cover the aggressor with a large towel to help calm and handle him or her. Don’t try to soothe your cats right away; just give them time to calm down. An agitated cat may become aggressive toward any pet or person who gets close.

If necessary, keep the aggressor confined overnight with food, water, and a litterbox. Reintroduce your two cats only when the aggressor has completely calmed down and is back to normal. It may help to reintroduce your cats gradually through a screen, gate, or cracked door before allowing them full access to each other.

Place your cats’ food bowls on opposite sides of the barrier to encourage them to be close together while doing something they enjoy.Onceboth cats appear relaxed, open the barrier between them little by little. If your cats remain relaxed, they may be ready to be together again. If they show signs of aggression (e.g., growling, spitting, hissing, swatting), separate them again and restart the process of gradual reintroduction.

Your two cats are likely to reestablish a relationship or at least tolerate each other, but future episodes of non-recognition aggression may be likely. Prevention Non-recognition aggression may be prevented by taking the following measures after bringing a cat home from your veterinarian’s office and before reintroducing him or her to your other cat(s):

Ensure that your cat has fully recovered from sedation or anesthesia.Bathe your cat to remove veterinary odors.Keep your returning cat separate from your other cat(s) to give them time to remember each other’s sounds and odors.

The following general guidelines can also help to reduce aggression:

Neuter your cats. Unneutered males are especially prone to aggression.Separate your cats’ resources. Reduce competition between them by providing multiple, identical food bowls, beds, and litterboxes in different areas of your house.Provide additional feline-friendly areas (e.g., hiding spots) to allow your cats to space themselves out as they prefer.Reward your cats for getting along. Praise them or give them treats when you see them interacting in a friendly manner.Try using pheromones. Feliway (Ceva Animal Health, Inc., St. Louis, MO) is a product that mimics feline pheromones that may reduce tension between your cats.

Find Help Any change in your cat’s behavior could be a sign of a medical condition. If your aggressive cat’s behavior does not improve, take your cat to your veterinarian for a checkup. In addition, you may consider contacting a certified applied animal behaviorist (CAAB or ACAAB after the last name) or a board-certified veterinary behaviorist (DACVB after the last name).

Staring with constricted (small) pupilsPiloerection (raised hair) along the shoulders and tailFacing the returning cat and appearing ready to pounce

Signs of a Defensive (Returning) Cat

Dilated pupils: the center (iris) of the eyes opens so that the pupils become largeEars pressed back against the headArched backPiloerection (raised hair)Facing the aggressor sidewaysHissing, spitting, and/or growlingRolling onto back to fight if there’s no escape