Cats fight: why this happens, how to quickly separate, calm and reconcile the animals

Two representatives of the cat family: pros and cons

If you plan to have several cats, it is better to do this at the same time. It’s easier for kittens to get used to each other, because they lack aggression and competition for primacy. Babies from the same or different litters quickly find a common language, play together, attack, but do not seriously fight. If the pets are of different sexes, castration should be planned, since there is a high probability of unwanted matings in the future.

When a feline is already living in the house, problems are likely to arise when introducing a new animal. The most complex relationships occur between two sexually mature males. Females are more reserved, but rarely become attached to their territorial neighbor. A female cat and male cat can be affectionate and caring, but it is important to neuter both to avoid producing offspring. It is better not to use hormonal drugs, as they negatively affect the health of animals.

When planning to add a second cat, it is important to take into account the temperament of both animals. It is desirable that they match. If we are talking about purebred pets, it is easier to find out the type of temperament, since certain qualities are inherent in a particular breed. The British have a relatively calm character and will not be able to get along with active Orientals. You should also pay attention to the age of the animals: older pets will not like being next to playful kittens.

How to reconcile fighters?

It is impossible to force pets to treat each other with tenderness and trust. But you can minimize the problem by eliminating the cause of the conflict - that very throne of omnipotence.

Extreme measures are to destroy it to the ground: replace the sofa favored by cats with other furniture, block access to the window sill, etc.

But it’s not always clear why cats are fighting – are they fighting for a specific place or for the entire apartment, for a person’s attention or for territory? Or maybe out of boredom? Therefore, it is easier to artificially delimit possessions by providing each cat with a personal “throne”: a separate tray, a separate bowl, a couple of high play complexes, several loungers and houses

Cats fight, although they used to be friends. What to do?

Sudden enmity between cats that previously lived peacefully is one of the most common reasons for seeking help from animal psychologists.

The reason for the enmity is fear, which is associated with the other cat. Here are two illustrative examples: 1) An old cat was sleeping on the nightstand, a young cat was sitting next to her and washing herself. The hostess came and turned on the TV. Somehow it turned out that the TV was set to maximum volume and it literally roared. The old cat jumped in place and the first thing she saw was a young cat. She, frightened by both the sound and the sudden movements of the old cat, twisted and hissed... A split second later, the older cat attacked the younger one. When the owner managed to separate the cats by pouring water from a jug on them, the cats scattered to different rooms. From that moment on, the older cat began to watch and mercilessly beat the younger one. In this case, the fear of loud noise became associated with the presence of the second cat.

2) The owners decided to keep the kitten from their purebred and very beautiful cat. The cat was a little timid, but the cat - her son - grew up, on the contrary, cheerful, perky and brave. A few months after giving birth, the cat was sterilized. She was very nervous after the operation and took a long time to recover at home. Gradually, all the experiences were forgotten, but they reminded me of themselves 1.5 years later, when the cat was taken to the veterinary clinic to be neutered. When he was brought home, he was lethargic and inactive. The cat came up to smell him and then went into another room. Outwardly, she seemed calm. When the cat came to his senses, he tried to approach the cat. She immediately assumed a threatening pose and hissed. He grew up in this house and was used to treating his mother cat quite familiarly, so he did not react to the threat. Then she attacked him with a heartbreaking scream (as the frightened hostess said). For the next few days, the cat chased the cat and tried to attack him as soon as she saw him. He no longer tried to approach her, did not defend himself, only tried to hide. Here the cat smelled the medicine from the cat and transferred negative associations with the experience of the surgery to him.

In most such cases, the problem of sudden aggression between cats can be dealt with within 2 weeks. So that you can do this yourself, I will tell you about a step-by-step behavior correction scheme. But before we get started, let me remind you:

1) I tell you simple techniques that are accessible to everyone. Most likely they will help you solve the problem. But, also, they may not be enough if the problem is very large, or it manifests itself in combination with other difficulties in the cat’s behavior. In this case, it is better for you to contact an animal behaviorist for individual recommendations.

2) when you undertake to follow the recommendations, do not skip steps, do not change their sequence, and do not violate the time frame, as otherwise you risk aggravating the problem rather than solving it.

We reconcile cats step by step:

Stage 1

Aggression in cats is largely related to brain physiology, namely endorphin synthesis. If a cat’s brain produces “pleasure hormones” in normal quantities, it can more easily cope with any difficult situations and does not have to be scared and defend itself from an imaginary threat. Correction of “sudden enmity” begins with maintaining endorphin synthesis with the help of special drugs. (!!!The drugs described here are sold without a prescription, without contraindications, however, if the cat is not healthy, is allergic, or for some other reason you have doubts, be sure to consult a veterinarian!!!) Veterinary pharmacies sell, for example, Serene Um, Calmex, Good as Gold, Sanal Relax and others. The main thing you should know when looking for a medicinal product: it should contain B vitamins and L-tryptophan (or better yet, take drops rather than tablets: drops are easier to add to your cat’s food).

Drugs with this composition do not calm animals, do not make them slow or drowsy. These are not “heavy” antidepressants. Preparations with tryptophan and B vitamins strengthen the nervous system, similar to those vitamins and supplements that are prescribed to schoolchildren and students during exam periods. About 3 days after starting to take the drug, the cat becomes more cheerful, lively, as if younger, she looks happier. It just becomes easier for her to cope with stress. But don't be under the illusion that this is enough to bring peace to the cats. This is only support in behavior correction, and not the correction itself.

Following the instructions, add drops to your cat's food. It usually takes 10-14 days to compensate for the lack of essential microelements, vitamins and amino acids. This period is most favorable for carrying out behavioral correction, so do not waste time and move on to the next stage:

Stage 2

The general idea is this. It is necessary to create such a space so that the cats can constantly see, hear and smell each other, but at the same time they are separated by a solid mesh/lattice, and are free to move enough to move away from the mesh by at least one and a half meters.

Technically, you need to look around the rooms or the entire apartment, divide the space, allocate each of the cats their own part, choose a grid and secure it. For example, you can fix a net in the interior passage, leaving one cat in the room and the other in the corridor. You can rearrange the furniture, but carefully arrange everything so that cats cannot get around or climb over obstacles on their own.

You can use a section of an enclosure for a puppy as a mesh, you can ask your friends for a large enclosure for a puppy (with a floor, a roof and four walls), you can connect several oven grates... In general, show your imagination, but do not rush to spend a lot of money on the perfect grate , since you will need it from three days to four weeks, no more.

An important condition is that cats should be able to decide for themselves how close they want to be.

If you are afraid of cockroaches and are forced to tolerate one in close proximity without being able to move away, then you will also begin to experience aggression. Cockroaches in a jar at your strange entomologist friend's house are quite tolerable, since you don't have to go near them and eventually someday you will leave his hospitable home. Allow cats to approach or move away from the bars at least 1.5 meters away.

However, if you simply “bar” one cat from a room, the other cat may decide that it will simply live in another room from now on. This way, reconciliation will not come, and conflicts will continue to occur on the borders of territories in the future. So the space will still have to be limited for both cats. Again:

The more time cats see, hear and smell each other, the faster a truce will come.

It often happens that owners cannot find the ideal grille and say: “we will buy it in a week and then we will start making corrections.” This is a bad decision. It is better to start working right away, even if you use imperfect bars, keep an eye on the cats, keep them in the space only in the evenings, when you have returned from work and you have time to deal with them. Even in the case of severe and (without exaggeration) bloody conflicts, cats need no more than 3 days for fear to turn into discontent, dissatisfaction (with a quivering tail tip) gives way to mild irritability, and then... complete calm and peace suddenly sets in.

If you manage to create a common space with a good grid, then the correction will take you three days (don’t forget about endorphin synthesis). If you manage to study with cats only in the evenings after work, then success will come when you accumulate about 72 hours of practice in total.

Another little "trick". Take a kitchen towel and cut it into two pieces. Wet and wring out - the towels should be slightly damp. Use one half to wipe one cat, and the other half to wipe the other. Then place the cloths so that the cat can sniff the cloth with the scent of its ex-girlfriend. Repeat this manipulation every day. If you have to separate cats in different rooms while you are not home, nothing prevents you from at least leaving them with cloths with the smell of another cat. This will speed up the correction process a little if you do not have time to devote enough time to this every day. Cats may mark these rags. This is generally a good sign. You just have to throw away the dirty ones and lay out new rags.

Stage 3

Place bowls of food at a distance of one and a half meters from the grate separating the cats. If the cats refuse to eat (but they are definitely healthy!), ignore them and continue feeding the same way and in the same place. Animals often tolerate stress more easily when they are hungry, so if your cat misses 1-2 feedings (but she is healthy!) there is no need to worry. Most likely, on the third feeding, she will eat, as if nothing had happened, one and a half meters from the grill. Both cats need to be fed at the same time.

At the next feeding, you can move the cat's bowl a little closer to the grill. Take your time, move the bowl literally 5-10 cm. If the cat itself begins to come closer to the grate, you can move the bowl more. If the cat begins to lie near the grate, turning away from the other cat, you can place the bowls literally 30 cm from the grate.

Of course, portion feeding (where your cat's bowl isn't filled with food 24/7) gives you a big advantage in this case, so it makes sense to switch to it if you haven't done so before.

Feel free to communicate with each of the cats, pet them, play. The second cat can watch you communicate through the bars. This will not make her jealous; on the contrary, it will help restore trust in the other cat.

Stage 4

After 1, 2 or 3 days (in total), you will see that the cats somehow calmed down and began to approach the bars and rub against them. Perhaps they will start sniffing through the bars, leaning back against it and acting relaxed and relaxed. In this case, you can try removing the grille. To do this, prepare a spray bottle and everything that can help you separate the cats in case of failure.

Play with one cat, then with another cat, so that both “shed” excess energy. Place the bowls again at a distance of one and a half meters from the grill. Then toss a small handful of food into each cat's bowl. Be prepared to remove the grate and do so by the time both cats have finished eating. If one of them doesn’t finish, put the bowl of food somewhere. Then just watch, don’t interfere. Breathing deeply, meditating, imagining a place of peace, and whatever else makes you feel calm will help your cats feel better.

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If everything went well, that's it. You did it! Congratulations! If it has passed more or less, but you are still not sure, it’s okay, this is also a good result and I also congratulate you!

If any of the cats resumed aggression, then at some point you were in a hurry - either you moved the food bowls too quickly, or you needed to wait a few more days before removing the grate. In this case, go back to the previous steps and don’t worry. Everything will work out if you continue to practice this way.

In case of confident (and uncertain) success, praise yourself, but at night, as well as during your absence from the apartment, return the grille for at least 2 more weeks (it is important to do this within this period). In your presence, most likely the cats will communicate in the same way as they did before the conflict. And after two weeks, you will be able to fearlessly leave them together when you leave home.

If the problems return...

Is it possible. It happens that after six months or a year the situation repeats itself. Usually it is very similar: again the cat hears a sharp sound or smells an odor associated with a negative experience, and again begins to attack another cat. In this case, you will have to repeat everything again. A little faster than the first time, you will achieve success again. And this new success does not mean that the problem will not arise again if...

What can be done to ensure that conflicts no longer arise?

The culprit of the “sudden conflict” is usually a fearful older cat who hides when guests come to the house or in some other situations that disrupt the usual way of life. She lacks the initiative to learn something new. As a result, her life is boring and poor. An animal needs eustress, and by coping with it, it gains invaluable experience, like confidence in its ability to act in difficult situations.

Once you have achieved success in reconciling cats, do not stop there. Make it a habit to play with your cat for a few minutes a day (you may have to work hard to find a game that keeps your cat engaged). Offer your cat an intellectual toy that she can roll on the floor to shake out the goodies. She can easily give up such toys to a more active younger cat, this is not scary. The main thing is that she does not leave, but watches how the younger cat plays with the toy. Sooner or later the older one will also try to play. Now, if the older one turns away and leaves, then you will have to hold the younger one and still try to teach the problem cat to enjoy games.

The simplest game is to tie leaves (for example, tea bags) with different smells into rag bags and lay them out in front of the older cat, let her get used to it, and then explore new smells. A little imagination, and you will come up with similar entertainment on the go. If you manage to stir up a problem cat, its character will change, it will begin to relive its childhood, and it may even act out (if it never did this when it was a kitten). All this suggests that she is “blooming”, “coming out of her shell” and, most likely, being frightened again, she will be brave and strong enough to cope with stress on her own and not transfer the associations to her four-legged companion.

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How to accustom two cats to each other?

How to make friends between two cats living in the same territory? Conflicts between girls arise less often than between boys. Why? This is due to the fact that there are fewer cats in nature, and they are accustomed to sharing territory with other animals. Moreover, if the cat has been the only pet for many years, a negative reaction to the appearance of a new cat is possible. This is especially true for elderly, pregnant and lactating females. If you are planning to purchase a second pet, it makes sense to wait until the first cat gives birth and feeds its offspring, and only then introduce a neighbor.

If, despite all the measures taken, cats fight, castration of both may help (if matings are not planned). After the procedure, the animals’ sexual instinct and associated aggression disappear. The merger of such cats goes more smoothly.

Causes of cat fights

Cat fights can occur for a number of reasons. Most often, cats living in the same territory are prone to conflicts due to the following factors:

temporary isolation;
aggression provoked by fear;
social pressure due to the large number of individuals;
unsuccessful acquaintance with each other.

Why do cats fight?

The reason for male conflicts lies in the nature of the cat's origin. To take a place in the sun, small predators made their way to it with teeth and claws.

In most cases, cats are called to fight by the instincts of the hunter, and sexual desire also plays a big role. Therefore, fights for territory are organized by mature, uncastrated males, especially if there is a “walking” cat nearby.

Most often, fights between cats are caused by defending the territory in which they live. This applies to a greater extent to outdoor cats. The cat defends its territory, following instinct. The more land under his paws, the more satisfying he will eat. In addition, the cats living in this territory will be exclusively at his disposal.

Most often, cat fights are caused by a struggle for territory.

When we moved to a private house, we inherited a cat. He lived somewhere in a barn, walked exclusively on the roofs, and ate what we gave him there. He was absolutely unkind, I was even afraid of him. But nevertheless, all around was his territory, which he fearlessly defended from uninvited guests. We sometimes observed these fights with our own eyes, but more often we saw the consequences in the form of scratches on the brave man’s face, torn out shreds of fur. We realized later how important defending this territory was for us personally, when the cat died. The yard was filled with cats darting here and there, each of whom considered it his duty to mark the territory. All this, to put it mildly, smelled unpleasant, and we just had to get a new cat - a yard guard.

Why do cats fight?

There are frequent cases of fights between females. Of course, for a lady it’s an unworthy occupation, but you can’t escape from nature. Cats, due to genetics, are much less prone to aggression and, it would seem, they have no reason to start fights. But if cats are seen fighting, then the reason for this is the mating season. Females can compete for the attention of a cat, even if there is no one in sight.

Another reason for fighting between two cats is motherhood. This instinct gives rise to aggression not only towards its fellow tribesmen, but also towards the owner.

I have 4 cats: a mother and her three daughters. Naturally, they all grew up together. We also got pregnant at the same time. I have never seen any signs of aggression between them. They even gave birth in the same box, although a separate place was prepared for each, and together they fed their babies indiscriminately between their own and those of others. But after sterilization, fights began between them. It is not clear to me what they shared among themselves, but two cats had to leave their common house for a while. And only the coming cold brought them together again - together, apparently, it was warmer.

Why does a cat fight with a cat?

If you carefully consider the hierarchy of the cat family, it will immediately become clear that the male occupies the dominant place. A cat is always more flexible, since nature dictates that the male is stronger. But, just like in human families, cats often have discord and fights can break out.

Most often this happens if the cat strives to take a leading position. The male will not stand on ceremony with such disobedience. Fights between cat and cat rarely continue for a long period. Often they are not taken seriously.

Conflicts between females

Every cat naturally has a certain level of aggression. Even the most gentle-looking murkas are imperious, wayward empresses who do not tolerate quarrels. They love solitude, reject noisy gatherings and do not tolerate intrusive affection. That's why cats fight among themselves quite often. After all, it is difficult for several independent queens to get along in one territory at once. A cat does not see a rival in a person, but a fellow cat is an obvious competitor.

Animals fight for bowls, for a place on a soft sofa or chair, for the next portion of affection from the owner. There is no big difference in the cause of the conflict. The main goal of any purring creature is to prove its superiority, to force the enemy to recognize it as the rightful owner of the territory. Also, two females fight when the hunting season begins. They actively compete for the cat's absolute attention. But when the murkas fight quite brutally and constantly, rewarding each other with terrible lacerated wounds, then we are talking about females, in which the territorial instinct is expressed quite clearly.

How to quickly separate fighting animals

It’s painful to look at your beloved pets when, instead of purring pleasantly, they begin to arch their backs and scream wildly, sorting things out and demonstrating their readiness for battle. It is much worse if opponents move from “words to deeds” and begin to fight fiercely. Here you should remember several effective methods that will allow you to quickly separate fighting cats.

Cover the fighters with a blanket. The animals will experience temporary disorientation, which will make it possible to safely separate their rivals and calm them down.
Turn on the vacuum cleaner. You can even direct it towards raging opponents if they are fighting so actively that they no longer notice anything around them.
Use water spray. Cats will run away in different directions for fear of getting wet, because only a few like to swim.

Will two cats become friends?

It's not easy for two adult cats to get along with each other. Before meeting, it makes sense to give both sedatives, after consulting with a veterinarian regarding the choice of drug and dosage.

Neutered cats who do not mark their territory are more likely to make friends. It is important that both pets undergo surgery, as an uncastrated cat will begin to offend the castrato. At first, it is recommended to isolate the animals from each other by placing them in different rooms. When reuniting, conflicts are possible, so both should have their claws trimmed, and the doors should be left open so that the fleeing pet can retreat. It is necessary to ensure that all windows are closed.

During the adaptation period, it is important to give both pets the same amount of care and affection. You need to intervene in “showdowns” only in case of a fight. If cats are simply yelling or hissing, it makes sense to give them the opportunity to solve the problem on their own. You shouldn’t take the side of one of them, because this way you won’t be able to reconcile them.

How to stop a fight

If pets chase each other, deliver short blows with their paws and jump back, hiss and scare each other, then you should not intervene. Enough observation.

If the conflict could not be prevented, and the fight has already begun - the cats are grappling and rolling on the floor, the situation needs to be resolved. And a lot here depends on the correct behavior of the owner.

You should never separate fighting animals with your bare hands. Despite their small size, cats are predators. With their claws and teeth, they can cause significant damage to humans (and each other).

It is necessary to separate animals and this can be done in the following ways:

The most effective results are achieved by a blanket, a large towel or any other dense fabric. If you throw it on fighting cats, they will freeze. You must immediately take it along with the blanket, without unwrapping one fighter, and move it to another room.
If the fight does not stop in the dark under the blanket (which is unlikely), you should try to push the animals away from each other using a mop or any other stick. You need to act quickly, but under no circumstances hit your pets.
Another effective technique is to pour water on the fighters. This method works flawlessly.
The cats need to be isolated from each other for several days, and then try to get acquainted again. The new one should be placed in a separate room. An old-timer should under no circumstances be offended by the owner and must remain in his familiar territory.
If animals are injured, they should be treated with any antiseptic. If necessary, call a veterinarian.

Why do cats fight?

The reasons should be sought in the very nature of these small predators, in their instincts that allowed them to survive during evolution. Without strong teeth and sharp claws, it would be impossible to take such a strong place in the sun.

Of course, this primarily concerns males. Cats fight among themselves for territory, especially for animals living in the wild. It is difficult to find large owners in this regard. After all, for a cat, “his” land is not only a territory for hunting (the larger the area, the fuller the belly), but also a place where every cat will belong to him.

Type in the search bar the query “cats fighting photos” or “cats fighting video” - the likelihood that you will see a picture of a fight between two mature, non-neutered cats is close to 100%. The hunting, territorial and sexual instincts that drive these “hot guys” often lead to tragic consequences when two cats fight, especially if they sense a cat walking nearby.

Therefore, to the question of what to do if cats are fighting?”, there is only one answer - to intervene. True, this must be done competently so as not to fall under the hot hand - this is also fraught. Many people recommend scaring fighters with something loudly rattling or rustling, but perhaps the most effective time-tested method is to pour or spray the “macho” with water. This is a priority measure.

In general, if domestic cats are constantly fighting, then the owners have only one solution - castration. There is an opinion that brothers from the same litter can live under one roof, but it is controversial and does not guarantee peace in the house.

What to do if an adult cat (cat) does not accept the kitten, hisses and attacks him?

Cats accept babies much more willingly than males, because the former have a maternal instinct. It is important to take into account age: a cat will accept a kitten less than six months old, because after 6 months these animals begin puberty. If the pet hisses at the baby and refuses to accept him, the animals should be temporarily separated. When a cat and a kitten live together, there are two possible scenarios:

indifference of an adult animal towards the baby;
negative reaction (the male hisses at the kitten, bites, does not accept it).

In the worst case, the cat can strangle the kitten, because in nature such behavior is not uncommon. A baby should not be left alone with an adult animal immediately after it arrives in the house. Only after a period of adaptation and the establishment of a positive relationship between the male and the kitten can the animals be left unattended.

It is impossible to say how long it will take to accustom pets to each other; it all depends on the individual characteristics of the animals. If the pets are similar in character and do not show jealousy, they can become friends quickly. There are times when two animals fail to get along after several months or even years. In such situations, one of the pets experiences severe stress and may become ill. There is only one way out - to put the newcomer in good hands and begin to restore the physical health and emotional state of the first cat.

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Adult cat and kitten up to six months

A sexually mature male, whether castrated or not, is unlikely to accept the baby friendly. But he will never get into a fight with him, even if the new pet attacks him himself. It can hit with its paw, but will not cause serious injuries and will not extend its claws.

If the kitten is very small (a month or a month and a half), then you should not leave the animals alone until the younger one grows up and gets stronger. In the wild, a male will eliminate a defenseless enemy from his territory, even if it is a child.

When the kitten is three months old, the cat will no longer be able to strangle it.

If the cat is neutered, then most likely he will accept a new tenant and the pets will quickly become friends.

Male vs female

Most often, owners are misled by the cat's behavior towards the cat. She seems to accept his dominance and fulfills his every whim. However, this is not the case. The cunning of females knows no bounds, and they successfully use it, “powdering the brains” of both the cat and the owner. This tactic of behavior allows the cat to achieve what it wants without open conflict, and fights between animals of different sexes are rather nonsense.

Yes, the male can afford to hiss at his girlfriend or lightly touch her with his paw, but this is not a full-fledged fight, but only a reminder of who is boss in the house. Serious fights between a cat and a cat break out extremely rarely, and only if the female ceases to obey and shows leadership qualities. Usually cats go crazy because of this behavior of cats and find no other way out than to give the presumptuous “madame” a beating. In this case, short fights can break out out of nowhere; they proceed loudly, but not for long.

It is worth noting that the war between a cat and a cat is a fight to the last drop of blood. As soon as one of the pets obeys, peace and grace sets in in the cat kingdom.

Advice from a zoopsychologist

Animal psychologists recommend analyzing the causes of unprovoked aggression. It is possible that the animal may have a mental illness that requires medication correction. But before making such a diagnosis, it is necessary to exclude standard causes that cause aggression.

Note! Cats convey a lot of information to their owner through their body language. Most of them try to avoid collisions, and they attack, as a rule, when they feel in danger and begin to defend themselves. If the owner does not have the opportunity to cope with the problems of aggression in an animal on his own, then a good way to change the situation is to turn to a professional, that is, animal psychologists. They will professionally advise you on how to correct your pet’s behavior.

Owners must remember that aggression and jealousy do not just appear in an animal. If cats do not get along in the same apartment, you need to love, pamper them and be sure to praise them if they coexist peacefully. You cannot kick out an animal while the owner is playing and petting another pet. It is necessary to show your love and favor so as not to cause rivalry among them. Good owners always remember that it is pointless to show your authority in front of a cat, since the animal may become embittered and stop trusting its owner. The most important thing is a kind and equal attitude towards pets and, of course, love, which will help eliminate hostility and rivalry among furry friends.

How to understand how serious a fight between cats is?

Many cats enjoy play fighting and will chase each other and paw at each other. The main difference between in-game combat and real combat is noise. Game combat is generally quiet, with many pauses. Any bites are gentle and do not cause injury or pain, and the claws usually retract. In some cases, play fights can escalate, and if your cats start to hiss or growl, it could be an indication that one of them is getting too rough. When the cats are just playing, then both return to their normal state, without obvious tension between them.

If your cats start fighting every time they see each other, there's an obvious problem.

Problem cats may develop physical symptoms, such as bladder problems, or behavioral symptoms. It's not always easy to tell if your cat is upset as they are very good at hiding their feelings, so always keep a close eye on any changes in behavior and contact your vet if this occurs.

There are several signs that your cats are struggling or not getting along:

Full contact fight. They may fight like this every time they see each other, which can lead to injury, or sometimes they may feel good together, but only under supervision.
Partial contact battles. This is where cats quickly swing their paws in the direction of another cat, with or without physical contact. Body language that appears aggressive. One cat may chase another with a tense body posture. Their ears will be turned back, their back may be arched and their tail fluffed.
Aggressive sounds. This is usually a hiss, growl, or scream. Quiet aggression. There are less obvious signs called passive or quiet aggression.

Less obvious signs that your cats aren't getting along:

Your cats look at each other with wide, unblinking eyes and a fixed expression.
One cat "steals" a resting spot from another cat (for example, one cat climbs over another and tries to rest in the same spot in such a way that the cat that was originally there is forced to leave the spot).
One cat blocks passages, stairs and hallways to prevent the other cat from moving freely throughout the house, as well as blocking access to the cat hatch.

How to separate fighting cats and calm a bully?

Separating cats with your hands is the worst advice you can give. Moreover, following it is very dangerous, since the cat's redirected aggression can turn your hands into a scary sight.

Spraying water from a spray bottle and loud noises, which in other circumstances help to stop the outrage, are unlikely to help separate fighting cats. On the contrary, they can inflame the fighters even more, since they are an additional irritating factor.

What remains? Turn to nature, because of which, in fact, all the fuss began. There is a completely natural and understandable way for animals to strictly and immediately suppress unwanted behavior. It is to him that the mother cat resorts when she wants to call her offspring to order. As you guessed correctly, we are talking specifically about holding by the scruff of the neck!

In the case of a cat fight, you not only make it physically impossible to continue the fight, but you also really prove to the cat that for any force there is always an even greater force. And if there is any leader here who lays claim to all resources without exception, then it is you.

Options to correct the situation

It is quite easy for a person to cope with the aggression of an animal. The main thing is to understand exactly what caused it. The cats need to be separated, given the opportunity to calm down, fall asleep, feed them, and only after that, after a while, start trying to introduce them again. The following tricks will work for this. You can build a transparent wall between the cats, which will help them see each other, but not get into fights. It is especially better to start doing this when the cats are friendly and relaxed. This therapy can take up to two weeks.

You can also divide the room or apartment into zones in which cats will live separately. They can watch each other, but not enter someone else's territory. After a while, the new resident will not irritate the cat, and he will slowly begin to get used to him.

Important! It is not advisable to forcefully introduce a cat to a newborn baby. The animal itself must express a desire to get acquainted with it. The pet needs to get used to its smell.

Sexual aggression can be removed by removing the gonads, which secrete hormones that cause animals to be attracted to the opposite sex. Males are neutered until they are one year old, and females until their first heat.

Outdoor cats are more accustomed to harsh sounds. But the home can react strongly to a sharp signal. He will confuse her, and she will dramatically change her behavior. Here a bunch of keys, which at that moment were in your hands, can come to the rescue; you need to throw it on the floor, or you can clap your hands sharply.

Note! A proven way to influence animals is to spray them with water from a spray bottle. Over time, they may develop an instinct where the animals will scatter just at the sight of a sprayer.

You always need to remember one thing: you can’t forcefully shake animals with your hands and you can’t yell at them. Disorientation is considered an effective way - placing them in different rooms, different boxes or beds.

You can’t punish too much; you must always understand that any aggressive behavior of an animal is caused by some factors, and which ones, the owner must figure out himself and eliminate them.

It may take several days for your pet to get used to it.

Causes of aggression in cats

Very often, owners can see cats fighting. To understand the cause of aggression in a pet, you need to be patient with the current situation. It is necessary to analyze which factor causes this and, if possible, eliminate it. Animal psychologists identify a number of main causes of aggression in cats, which can lead to a cat fight.

Cats fight each other for many reasons.

Why do cats fight among themselves? The first reason is the cat’s desire to take dominance in the house and show that she is the main one in the family. According to their psychology, they are designed in such a way that they defend their territory, regardless of whether it is within the boundaries of an apartment, a favorite chair or a couch. If a new furry pet appears in the family, the cat that previously lived in the house begins to actively protect the house. Because of this, cat fights most often begin.

Important! To prevent this situation, many animal owners advise buying their own feeders, bedding and houses for their new pet. This will avoid a fight.

Territorial aggression is caused primarily by the presence of other cats in the animal's field of view. If a pet attacks people, then, as a rule, these are people who have come to visit, in whom the cat sees a threat to the owners. This type of aggression is no less common. The pet hisses, hits with its paw, and rears up. As a rule, territorial aggression is shown by uncastrated cats, which are unlikely to be kept in friendship and harmony.

The second significant reason is cats fighting for food. A cat is designed in such a way that attacks of aggression are caused by other animals that carry out some active actions towards it. Protecting your food is an instinct that is inherent in nature and allows it to survive in difficult conditions. Sometimes four-legged pets are aggressive, even if the owner approaches their feeding trough, not to mention a new tenant, and even a competitor. Cats do not allow anyone to approach their bowl; they can hit with their paw or bite if someone approaches their feeder while eating.

During a fight, pets may bite and tear shreds out of each other.

The third reason is the manifestation of instincts that are inherent in nature. Most cats are domesticated, but they still have instincts, although they are no longer afraid for their lives, they understand that they will get food anyway, and there is no need to conquer their territory if there are no other relatives nearby. But when a furry animal is sleeping, it is better not to disturb it. Cats are often aggressive when they are scared. They are not aware of what caused their fear and can attack an innocent feline or even a weaker family member.

The situation is similar with a cat that has small kittens. The cat protects the babies and can attack if it feels danger to its offspring. She begins to growl and meow anxiously, warning that it is better not to touch the kittens.

Note! New scents that come home with, especially if it is a new pet, can cause aggression and a “beware the enemy” reaction. To avoid anything like this, you need to transfer the smell from one cat to another, wipe them with the same towel and change their beds. Thanks to this simple procedure, animals quickly adapt.

A new pet can cause jealousy in an old pet, since they spend more time with it, play with it, and the former resident feels useless. You need to try to replace jealousy with mercy and goodwill.

Another reason for aggression may be an unrealized hunting instinct. Thanks to him, animals survive in a normal environment, so the kitten is interested in balls, toys and all kinds of play equipment. Aggression during play is a fairly common phenomenon, especially when the kitten is too small and likes to throw itself at its owner’s legs.

Kittens don't always fight for real, that's how they play.

Another reason for aggression can be the presence of pain. If the owner touches the disturbing part of the pet, then he instinctively begins to rush and rush at the person.

Often cats can be found during a fight due to the fact that their mating season has begun, and females at this time are actively fighting for the cat’s affections. You may not be able to see the male up close, but the females smell him, which is why they put on a show. It is at puberty that cats begin to actively show aggression.

What to do to avoid provoking clashes between cats

After eliminating the cause of the conflict, an important step in the peaceful coexistence of cats in the same house is the prevention of such incidents. We must use all possible means to achieve, if not complete unity, then at least a long-term truce.

Personal hygiene items

Each pet should have its own items that only it uses. These include bowls, combs, trays, scratching posts:

this will help avoid fights over food or going to the toilet;
This approach creates more hygienic living conditions for pets.

When the owner observes open clashes between animals, bowls with food and water should be placed as far from each other as possible, for example, in different rooms. The same goes for trays.

It is better if each cat in the house has its own bowl.

Each animal must be provided with its own toys. It is important not to confuse them in the future, otherwise the offense may spread from the furry neighbor to the owner. Cats are very sensitive and, if they catch someone else's scent on a toy, they can easily react in a negative way.

Individual games

The owner of several pets must learn one simple rule: give each pet at least 30 minutes a day for play. This allows you to create harmony in relationships with each representative. In addition, cats will see that they are equally important to their owner.

During the game, the cat will throw out excess energy, along with which aggression will go away.

If the owner is not alone, then several people can play with the cats at the same time, and then change places. With such a setup, it is important that during the game the cats do not intersect and cannot interfere with each other. An interactive puzzle toy can be an excellent option to keep your pet occupied. You can order it online or buy it at a pet store.

A puzzle game can keep your pet occupied by separating it from another animal in a separate room.

How to make furry bullies friends

In order to make warring cats friends, associations of a positive attitude can be useful. The owner of the animals must achieve a situation in which the animals have only positive perceptions of each other. To do this, treats and affection are used. For example, pet cats only at the same time. Treat them to “goodies” in the presence of each other, etc. Here you need to be careful and behave in such a way as not to single out one animal from the whole group, otherwise a new conflict cannot be avoided.

So we became friends with each other, not only the cats, who began to conflict with each other, but also the cats and the dog. Now, for example, my animals do not perceive each other as enemies: the dog does not touch the cats, they have stopped hissing and rushing at her. So the method works is to simultaneously stroke the animals and speak kind words to them.

Video: how to make friends between two cats who have not lived together before

Using a Clicker

Many breeders, not only cats, but also dogs, use a clicker when training animals. This is a special device that can make a sound resembling a click. If the animal does everything as it should, then its correct actions are noted with the help of a clicker.

Clicker training is done in advance. The owner presses a button, then gives out a treat. It is important that animals develop a conditioned “click-treat” reflex. Then, based on the sound of the device, the pets themselves will look for the “yummy.”

The device can also be used in situations of conflicting cats. For example, if the animals are sitting peacefully next to each other - the clicker clicks, the animals show aggression - the clicker is not used.

A clicker is a simple device that, when you press a button, produces a clearly audible click.

Creating Vertical Space

Scientists have discovered one interesting detail. People live and interact with each other in a world of a horizontal plane. Cats, on the other hand, live in vertical space. Therefore, it is important to provide pets with multi-tiered houses and high scratching posts. This way you can create a happy life for your cat. By being located at the highest point, a cat can show how important a place it occupies in its team. If this is not possible, then it will prove its role with the help of claws and teeth.

It is psychologically important for a cat to lie on a hill, this is how it proves its superiority in the team.