Cats are territorial animals and feel stressed if other cats trespass into their marked territory. This means your furry family member can get into a scuffle, especially when neighborhood cats are involved.
The best way to stop their fight is to distract them. The distraction can be a loud clap or introducing a toy to divert their attention from each other. However, it is not a practical solution.
Understanding the reasons behind these fights and the associated injuries will aid you in preventing your cat from getting into altercations. In this article, I will highlight the causes and proven tips to stop cats from fighting each other.
What Causes Cats To Fight?
There are several reasons why cats may fight. They include:
Cats Trespassing
Cats are solitary animals and prefer to avoid trouble for fear of getting hurt. If a cat within its territory sees another cat or animal, it will start making warning sounds and change its body language and facial expressions to let the intruders know they need to back off.
They typically leave scratch marks and scent marks around the property to let other animals know the area is theirs. However, the situation will escalate if both cats ignore these signs and don’t back down.
Cat Territory
Like other animals, cats are territorial and mark premises as their territory.
Your cat’s territory could be limited to the indoors, the backyard, or can extend to the neighborhood. It will fight if the other cat from the area comes into its territory or when territories overlap.
Their territorial behavior is at its peak when your cat has an underlying issue like stress and anxiety. While most cat owners opt to neuter their pets, addressing the causes of stress will significantly help.
New Cat in the Neighborhood
While most cats adjust to other nearby pets, there are chances of them fighting with unfamiliar and strange cats. As a result, cats familiar with each other mostly find a way to share the area between them.
They will restrain from crossing territories and even time share the territory. For example, a cat will patrol around the territory in the evening, whereas others will patrol at a different time.
Cats Sharing the Premises
If you already have a pet cat in your home and bring in another feline, it’s most likely the two cats will fight for the territory. These fights will occur over food bowls, toys, and other shared items.
If one cat feels insecure, it will start making its territory and defend the area, making other cats stressed and nervous.
This behavior is typically seen in those who become stressed after the entry of a new cat. It’s recommended to practice controlled introductions and provide each cat with a different living environment until they start tolerating each other.
Cat Behavior
An aggressive cat will display play and real aggression. Both male and female cats are territorial. It’s important to note that female cats show maternal aggression to protect their babies.
It’s best to visit a board-certified veterinary behaviorist for adequate behavioral training if you have an aggressive cat. Hormonal imbalance is another reason for negative behavioral changes and should be addressed immediately.
Poor Socialization in Cats
Due to poor socialization, most cats need to learn to get along with other cats. Therefore, behavioral therapy sessions can benefit significantly.
Tips To Stop Cats From Fighting Outdoors
Cat bites and stress are some expected outcomes of cats fighting, which can lead to severe illnesses. Here’s what you can do to prevent outdoor scuffles.
- Monitor the time when neighborhood cats are nearby and keep your cat indoors. You can indulge them in their favorite game, give them a toy, or spend time cuddling with your little angel to avoid conflict. However, if it still wants to go outside, accompany your pet and keep a close eye.
- Follow a routine and stick to it to avoid these encounters. However, you can still face issues if other aggressive cats are around. You can talk with your neighbor to agree upon the timings to ensure your cats don’t confront each other.
- Fixing your cat can assist in reducing its territorial behavior. Neutering male cats decrease their desire to protect their territory. Likewise, spaying a female cat aids in mating aggression. Before you decide to fix your cat, it’s recommended to consult a certified veterinarian and discuss the pros and cons to make an effective decision.
- Fencing your premises prevents your pets from wandering into areas that are not safe. Ensure you keep a 45-degree angle at the top of the fence, keeping outdoor cats from entering the household.
- Cat flaps can be installed, which will open when your cat comes near, allowing safe entry indoors or outdoors. These flaps stay closed if other pets or cats come near and only recognize your cat’s microchip.
Tips To Stop Cats Fighting Indoors
You can take several measures to ensure your indoor cats stay calm and get along.
- If you have more than one cat, keep their beds, food stations, scratching posts, litter boxes, and water bowls separate. Provide them enough space to explore and let them decide whether they want to be near or further from each other. Keeping them in confined spaces can lead to a scuffle.
- Ensure the cats are slowly introduced before they get on the wrong foot. For example, please keep them in separate rooms initially to reassure them that they have their own spaces.
- Keep your cats involved in different activities to prevent them from crossing paths. With persistent efforts, they will eventually settle in and stop fighting each other.
- Talk to a cat behavior counselor to determine a practical course of action if you can still not control your cat’s behavior.
Final Thoughts on How To Stop Cats Fighting
It takes time for cats to settle in if you own one that likes to go outdoors or have a multi-cat household.
Addressing the causes and following the tips I shared will assist you in preventing a conflict and becoming best friends with your cats.
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