Nothing is more stressful than when members of our family don’t get along, and this includes our pets. Cats that once got along fine, can suddenly be triggered into fighting with one another, making the once peaceful living situation a memory. Tension between cats, and the stress that comes with it can also trigger other behavioural difficulties, such as soiling outside the litter box. While fighting between cats that live together can often be resolved, it’s easier to prevent the situation from happening in the first place. So let’s explore common triggers for fights and what can be done to prevent them from occurring.
Pain
When cats suddenly start fighting with one another, or in general behave more aggressively, the first thing that needs to be done is rule out any medical issues. Medical problems that result in pain and discomfort, such as dental disease, central nervous system problems, hyperthyroidism, and osteoarthritis are all reasons that a cat can suddenly become more agitated and aggressive, and hence the likelihood of fights increases.
Lack of stimulation
Bored cats will become frustrated, and frustration can lead to increased irritability and stress, and hence result in fights. To prevent your cats from getting bored, be sure to provide them with enough physical and mental stimulation. This can be achieved by playing lots of enriching games with them, and setting up their living space in an engaging way. For example, by placing perches on windows so they can watch outside, a catio, interactive toys, and cat furniture such as a wheel, perches on the walls, and scratch poles.
Resources
Another cause of fights between cats that live together can revolve around resources. When you have more than one cat, make sure that you have enough space and items for each. By ensuring that you have enough toys, beds, perches, and scratch surfaces available, you can prevent fights over these items. Have a feeding and water station for each cat, and to prevent stress around food time, don’t place them next to one another. The general rule around litter boxes is that you should have one for each cat, plus one extra. Having enough litter boxes will not only prevent fights, but also soiling outside the litter box. Place resources not clustered together, but rather scattered around the home, so each cat can take space when needed.
Territory
Cats are territorial, and fights may happen when they feel their territory is invaded. Most cats like their own space and living without another cat companion often poses no problems. However, cats are fairly tolerant of sharing a house with other cats, even if they might not particularly get along. When cats tolerate each other but don’t get along, it can create underlying tension which may be hard to spot. This tension can result in stress, and in turn cause behavioural and even health issues.bSigns of happy bonded cats include rubbing against each other, grooming, and sleeping together.
The more cats sharing the territory, the more likely fights are about to happen. Some examples of situations that are known to be triggers for territorial fights are when a new cat enters the family, when a kitten is maturing, when a cat sees another cat through the window outside, and redirects his frustration to a cat indoors, or when major changes are made in the cat’s environment or family such as a change of daily routine, or changing of furniture.
To lower territorial aggression, make sure that your cats have plenty of space and resources available, and neuter them when old enough. Do not get more cats than your living situation, and individual cats, can handle. Try to prevent any major and stressful situations where possible.
Vet visits
A trip to the vet, and even more so a stay for a procedure, can be a trigger for cats to start fighting with each other. If your cat has had a procedure, such as dental work or an operation, keep them separate from your other cats until they are fully recovered from the anaesthesia and their stress levels have lowered. Keep them in a room where they have food , water, litter, and a bed available, at least for a few hours, if possible even overnight.
Body Language
Even with all our best intentions and preventative measurements, fights may occur, and it’s important to not let cats that are in a real fight to “fight it out”. While our primary way of communication is talking, for cats this is body language. Before cats start fighting, they will often display particular body language. If you can interrupt and redirect them in time, you can prevent a fight from happening. For example, you can shake a treat bag, call their names, or anything else that works for your cats. By placing a visual barrier between them, such as a large blanket, you can also prevent a fight from happening.
Pheromone diffusers are useful tools that can be used when you notice tension starting between your cats while working to resolve the issue.
Conclusion
Preventing a strained relationship between cats, is easier than trying to resolve when they get to the point of fighting. We can aid this relationship by providing enough space, resources, timely neutering, and enough physical and mental stimulation. Any behaviour change that comes on suddenly, needs a vet to rule out any medical reasons, which can also be a cause of fights. If you have taken all preventative measurements and your cats are still fighting, it’s advised to contact a qualified feline behaviourist. The longer you wait, the harder the issue will become to resolve.
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