No one enjoys living in a home where one resident, human or feline, frequently behaves in an aggressive manner. Cat fights can cause serious injury to the animals involved, especially if fights become a routine occurrence in your home. If you have a cat who is behaving aggressively towards your other cats, you will need to modify and control his behavior to create a safe home environment for all your cats.
Reasons Cats Fight
Cats are not pack animals but they can live together peacefully in many situations. Common reasons for feline aggression include gender-based aggression, territorial disputes, changes in social hierarchy among your cats, introducing a new cat to your household, competition over resources such as food or toys and sometimes just plain orneriness. Your cat's behavior around other cats will depend heavily upon the environment he has been in for most of his life, whether he has been surgically altered and the personalities of both himself and the other cats in his environment.
Introducing a New Cat to the Household
It's not unusual to have conflict when you introduce a new cat to your household. Take your time introducing the animal so that your existing pets do not feel threatened by the newcomer. Note that you may have better luck making successful and peaceful introductions if all parties have been spayed or neutered. Put the new cat in a separate room away from your other pets. Allow the animals to sniff at one another through the door but do not give them access to one another. Exchange each other's bedding materials after a few days so that the animals can get used to one another's smell. Once you have done this, you can allow the cats to become acclimated to one another through a baby gate or other containment device that allows animals to sniff and interact without having full access. If these steps go well, you can begin allowing your cats to interact with one another in the same room under supervision. Gradually reduce supervision as long as everything seems to be going smoothly.
Causes of Aggressive Behavior
Your cats may be more inclined to behave aggressively towards one another when food, treats, attention or any other desirable experience is up for grabs in your household. Treat each cat equally. If you are petting one cat, make sure to pet the other as well. If you are giving treats to one cat, give treats to the other as well. If mealtime is an issue, you may want to separate your cats while they eat to avoid problems. In some situations, you may be able to redirect the attention of an aggressive cat so he focuses on attacking a toy or other inanimate object rather than his fellow feline housemate. You also may want to try giving treats and rewards to your cats when they are behaving well or playing well together.
Stopping Fights
If your cats are behaving aggressively or fighting with one another, you need to intervene before one of your pets is injured. Aggressive behavior consists of growling, hissing, stiff posture, raised hackles, striking, biting, yowling, kicking and otherwise attacking. If you notice one or more of your cats behaving in an aggressive manner, try to distract them by making a loud noise, yelling or blowing a whistle. You also may be able to use a toy or a laser to distract the aggressor into attacking something other than your other cat. Do not attempt to grab fighting cats to separate them. You do not want to be attacked or injured by your cats. If aggressive behavior persists, you may need to separate your cats long term.
Reasons Cats Fight
Cats are not pack animals but they can live together peacefully in many situations. Common reasons for feline aggression include gender-based aggression, territorial disputes, changes in social hierarchy among your cats, introducing a new cat to your household, competition over resources such as food or toys and sometimes just plain orneriness. Your cat's behavior around other cats will depend heavily upon the environment he has been in for most of his life, whether he has been surgically altered and the personalities of both himself and the other cats in his environment.
Introducing a New Cat to the Household
It's not unusual to have conflict when you introduce a new cat to your household. Take your time introducing the animal so that your existing pets do not feel threatened by the newcomer. Note that you may have better luck making successful and peaceful introductions if all parties have been spayed or neutered. Put the new cat in a separate room away from your other pets. Allow the animals to sniff at one another through the door but do not give them access to one another. Exchange each other's bedding materials after a few days so that the animals can get used to one another's smell. Once you have done this, you can allow the cats to become acclimated to one another through a baby gate or other containment device that allows animals to sniff and interact without having full access. If these steps go well, you can begin allowing your cats to interact with one another in the same room under supervision. Gradually reduce supervision as long as everything seems to be going smoothly.
Causes of Aggressive Behavior
Your cats may be more inclined to behave aggressively towards one another when food, treats, attention or any other desirable experience is up for grabs in your household. Treat each cat equally. If you are petting one cat, make sure to pet the other as well. If you are giving treats to one cat, give treats to the other as well. If mealtime is an issue, you may want to separate your cats while they eat to avoid problems. In some situations, you may be able to redirect the attention of an aggressive cat so he focuses on attacking a toy or other inanimate object rather than his fellow feline housemate. You also may want to try giving treats and rewards to your cats when they are behaving well or playing well together.
Stopping Fights
If your cats are behaving aggressively or fighting with one another, you need to intervene before one of your pets is injured. Aggressive behavior consists of growling, hissing, stiff posture, raised hackles, striking, biting, yowling, kicking and otherwise attacking. If you notice one or more of your cats behaving in an aggressive manner, try to distract them by making a loud noise, yelling or blowing a whistle. You also may be able to use a toy or a laser to distract the aggressor into attacking something other than your other cat. Do not attempt to grab fighting cats to separate them. You do not want to be attacked or injured by your cats. If aggressive behavior persists, you may need to separate your cats long term.
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