How to distinguish a fight in a game from a real conflict?
Many cats that have a close bond enjoy playing together. They fight, rush around the apartment, roll around in a ball and hit each other with their paws. Play wrestling often takes place silently with breaks during which the participants change positions. Such fights do not bring pain, because... the animals retract their claws and strike carefully. At this stage there is no need to separate the pets. In some cases the struggle may intensify; Hissing and squealing indicate that the animal’s partner’s actions are beginning to cause discomfort. After joint activity, the cats quickly return to their normal state, and there is no tension in further relationships between the participants in the play fight.
Why do cats fight?
Cats typically demonstrate social status through posturing and communication that does not result in injury. If the animals get along, they will learn to tolerate each other. However, this will likely not always be the case and fights may break out.
Fighting is usually the result of redirected aggression, play aggression, or fear aggression:
Most fighting occurs with same-sex pets and escalates during mating season—90% of cases of feline-to-feline aggression can be reduced or prevented by spaying or neutering cats before their first lambing.
The lowest-ranking cat—often the older or frail one—may become a target for bullying by other cats. When she acts like a victim, sneaking around, using submissive body language, hiding, it only increases the attacks.
Changes in a cat's social group, such as the arrival or departure of a member, can lead to an increase in conflict.
Changes in the environment, such as rearranging cat furniture or bowls, can also cause fighting.
Any change in daily routine can cause cats to become so stressed that they take it out on each other.
Cats reach social maturity between 2 and 4 years of age, and this is when many first challenge others for status.
Lack of space predisposes cats to territorial disputes. Cats mark property by cheek rubbing, patrolling, and urine marking. Some cats may lure others into their territory and then “punish” others for trespassing. Feline territorial aggression is notoriously difficult to correct. Outdoor cats are more aggressive in their territory.
Cats use vocal and silent communication to increase their status in the eyes of other felines. They challenge each other with looks, forward-facing body positions, hissing, growling, biting the back of the neck, or blocking access to food or toys. Some dominant cats use "power grooming" behavior, where they actively lick another cat to get it to move away.
My pet is being attacked by the cat living next door. What can I do?
Sometimes aggression associated with the manifestation of territorial rights goes beyond what is necessary. The so-called hooligan cats deliberately appear on “foreign land” in order to claim it. They enter properties and houses, attacking furry residents (and sometimes their owners if they become an obstacle), and also mark vertical surfaces before leaving. These impudent people rarely encounter resistance on their way, because... choose the victim wisely - an older, weaker or timid cat. Interestingly, in the UK the largest number of “criminals” are found among pets of the Burmese and Bengal breeds. However, aggressive behavior associated with invading someone else's territory can be exhibited by any cat (this is more typical for males), no matter whether they are purebred or not.
It is very unpleasant when your cat is attacked in her own home. There is a desire to demand that the owner of the “shaggy insolent” take action to prevent future attacks, since it is he who is responsible for his robber. However, the reality is that the owner of an abused cat often has to take matters into his own hands. If a furry friend is unable to stop the attack, a person should intervene to protect the pet and its territorial rights.
There is debate as to whether the intrusion of some individuals into someone else's space is considered normal. At the moment, there is no evidence that attacks on relatives for territory are something unnatural for representatives of the cat family.
Both purebred and street cats have been living next to each other for many generations. It would seem that it is time for them to moderate their territorial appetites. However, natural cat aggression has not disappeared. It’s just that a significant portion of individuals exhibit it to a lesser extent.
When faced with a furry aggressor, you must first determine whether it has an owner. If a cat lives on the street, you need to contact employees of a specialized service who humanely catch, castrate and rehome the animals.
If the owner is identified, you need to try to negotiate with him about the “confinement” of the despot at night within the walls of the house (if the invasion occurs in the dark). To motivate an aggressive animal to return from a walk at the appointed time, the owner can treat him with some kind of treat before bed. A cat that goes on “raids” during the day may be subject to a curfew. If other pets suffer from his aggressive behavior, it is necessary to inform their owners about the restrictive measures introduced; owners will know that during this period of the day their animals are not in danger. It would also be useful to attach bells to the collar of the aggressor cat, the ringing of which will warn of the approach of the bully and will enable pets and owners to take the necessary measures.
To make an attacked cat feel calmer, you should “tightly” close the cat flap, as well as other passages that allow a stranger to enter the house. An additional safety measure will be to calculate the route of an aggressive cat and block the path. A prey cat, even one accustomed to going outside, must be provided with a home litter box. When a suffering furry friend leaves the premises, it is best to accompany him. If the cat is accustomed to using its own entrance/exit and insists on free movement, you can use modern technologies and install a special damper “customized” for the resident of the house. However, some sneaky people who want to get into other people's houses manage to fool such devices.
The owner of an aggressive cat, in addition to confining his pet, should take additional measures. Restrictions on movement can cause stress in an animal, so it is necessary to create an atmosphere conducive to relieving emotional stress: place several soft and warm loungers around the house, as well as arrange play sessions in the morning, evening, and during those periods when the bully is usually overly active.
For some cats, aggressive behavior is so deeply ingrained in nature that the only solution may be to move to an area with fewer cats.
How to stop aggression
If your home is the site of frequent cat fights, it is important that you do everything you can to stop them. This is important not only for the cats' health, but also for your own well-being.
This is not an overnight process; developing behavior can take months.
Follow the guidelines, but also realize that some cats may never get along.
- Adding more territorial space can eliminate the need for cats to cooperatively climb, hide, and perch in areas where fights can break out. Increasing the number of toys, cat trees, litter boxes and feeders reduces competition for resources.
- You can use an electronic cat door that can only be opened by a prey cat wearing a collar. This allows the passive cat to have access to the entire house while having a safe area where the aggressor cannot follow her. The doors are opened with a magnetic “key” inside a special collar. Such devices can be purchased at pet stores or on the Internet.
- Avoid rewarding bad behavior. Providing food or attention to an aggressive cat during attacks is a reward. Instead, catch the aggressor before he starts hissing. Redirect his behavior with an interactive toy, such as a flashlight beam, to lure him into play.
- If play is not getting attention, interrupt the bad behavior by spraying water. Once the aggressive cat has left and calmed down, reinforce her good behavior with the desired treat, toy, or attention.
- Get back to basics. Treat aggressive cats as if you were bringing them into your home for the first time. Give the passive cat a choice of places in the house, isolate the bully cat, and then reintroduce the animal.
- Talk to a board-certified veterinary behaviorist to learn what professional therapy may be helpful. Some medications can control the aggressive behavior of a bully cat. Although it is not a cure, it can be a supportive tool that allows further training to work more effectively.
- Use controlled situations where the eyes are in contact. A cat carrier or leash used in a hallway or large room can be helpful.
- During supervised encounters, feed the cats tasty food or engage in playdates to help them learn to associate each other with fun, positive rewards.
- Try pheromones to reduce tension. Pet stores sell products that imitate a cat's natural odor (which humans cannot smell) and can significantly reduce stress. Diffusers are more effective than sprays.
- Provide at least one feeding area and one litter box for each cat. If you have the option, you should add one extra kit.
When all tactics have failed to stop two indoor cats from fighting, one cat may have to be rehomed or permanently separated from the other. This will make the cats' lives better.
How to reduce the risk of aggression and raise an affectionate animal
An affectionate animal can only grow up in a caring and loving family. Never, under any circumstances, use physical punishment. Your hands should only be associated with affection.
Try to talk with your pet often and study its habits. If dissatisfaction appears, accompanied by warning signals, do not test his patience, but immediately stop the unpleasant actions.
If a cat grows up next to a child, make sure that the child knows how to handle it carefully. Stop sudden grabbing and squeezing.
