Problem behaviors in cats, such as aggression and fighting, can occur suddenly or gradually. When fights happen, it can be stressful for you and your cat.
Any sudden change in your cat's behavior could be a sign of an underlying medical condition. Conditions such as hyperthyroidism, osteoarthritis, dental disease, and central nervous system problems can cause aggression. Contact your veterinarian to make sure your cat is healthy.
If your veterinarian has ruled out medical problems, you will need to determine the cause of the aggression in order to develop a behavior modification plan.
Friendship
The most favorable development of the situation, except in the case where animals grow up together from a very young age, is the immediate sympathy that arises between them.
This happens when a kitten appears in a house with an adult cat. And then the owners do not have to think about how to make friends between a cat and a kitten, since thanks to maternal instinct, a cat is extremely rarely aggressive towards the baby. On the contrary, she, as a rule, takes him under her wing. But if a kitten is purchased for a home with an adult cat, then there is a chance that at first the old-timer will ignore the newcomer. But later, a warm and strong friendship can also begin between them.
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
But this is not always enough; sometimes a little more effort is required from the owner:
feed cats at the same time, in different places, but at the same height
Rivals will fight for the bowl that is higher, and under equal conditions, the hooligans will switch their attention to food; the same goes for vacation spots. All houses, beds and play complexes should be located at approximately the same height. If cats choose the same bed, move it to another place or temporarily remove it; keep windows closed and interior doors open
A retreating cat should be able to retreat, this will significantly reduce the frequency and severity of conflicts. In addition, various shelves, steps, ladders, etc. help. If the owner is not at home and the cats are fighting, what should I do? The distraction method will work here. For example, interesting toys left in secluded corners: a mechanical mouse, an automatic laser pointer, birds on springs, etc. Toys must be extremely attractive so that curiosity overcomes the desire to sort things out. And there should be several of them, so that an interesting thing does not become the cause of a new conflict; If cats get into a fight in the presence of the owner, it is necessary to sharply and rather harshly distract the hooligans from each other. You can throw half a glass of water on the hissing woolen thing or throw a thick, heavy blanket over the cats. Of course, scaring your pets is not very right, but it is better than treating torn ears and bloody faces; If cat fights continue despite all the efforts of the owner, one of the pets will have to find a new home or resort to sterilization (castration). Deciding on an operation is not easy, but such drastic measures almost always work: castrated (sterilized) animals gradually lose interest in the struggle for territory and power, and this is the right path, if not to friendship, then at least to friendly relations with the former “enemy.”
If cats choose the same bed, move it to another place or temporarily remove it; keep windows closed and interior doors open. A retreating cat should be able to retreat, this will significantly reduce the frequency and severity of conflicts. In addition, various shelves, steps, ladders, etc. help. If the owner is not at home and the cats are fighting, what should I do? The distraction method will work here. For example, interesting toys left in secluded corners: a mechanical mouse, an automatic laser pointer, birds on springs, etc. Toys must be extremely attractive so that curiosity overcomes the desire to sort things out. And there should be several of them, so that an interesting thing does not become the cause of a new conflict; If cats get into a fight in the presence of the owner, it is necessary to sharply and rather harshly distract the hooligans from each other. You can throw half a glass of water on the hissing woolen thing or throw a thick, heavy blanket over the cats. Of course, scaring your pets is not very right, but it is better than treating torn ears and bloody faces; If cat fights continue despite all the efforts of the owner, one of the pets will have to find a new home or resort to sterilization (castration). Deciding on an operation is not easy, but such drastic measures almost always work: castrated (sterilized) animals gradually lose interest in the struggle for territory and power, and this is the right path, if not to friendship, then at least to friendly relations with the former “enemy.”
And remember that love is capable of miracles: communicate with your pets equally affectionately, do not scold the instigator of the conflict, do not feel sorry for the victim. Cats should feel the same warmth and care. Sitting together in front of the TV, playing games together and having “conversations” before bed are an excellent remedy against aggression from domestic predators.
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
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 cannot forcefully raise animals with your hands and you cannot yell at them.
Disorientation is considered an effective way - placing them in different rooms, different boxes or beds
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.
Two cats (cats) in the house: pros and cons
So, there are now two cats living in your house. What are the pros and cons of such a situation? First, let's talk about the disadvantages:
- if your pets remain full-fledged cats, then during the mating season you will be threatened with “fights” of local significance, in addition, the animals will actively mark their territory;
- The consumption of cat food and litter doubles.
And the positive points:
- despite prejudices, cats are emotional animals, and having a friend or girlfriend will make their life much more active and fun;
- your home will receive twice as much fluffy happiness!
If you are mentally and financially ready to have another pet in your home, then do not be afraid of possible problems. Your patience, consistency and perseverance will certainly yield results, and the animals will become friends. And after a while, they will give you many funny and warm stories together.
Understanding cat body language
Your cat's eyes, ears, body and tail are trying to communicate their feelings to you and other cats and animals. Some postures and cues to pay attention to include:
- If your cat's ears are turned back, to the sides, or lying flat ("airplane ears"), they are likely irritated, angry, or fearful.
- If her pupils are dilated, she may be nervous, submissive, or aggressively defensive.
- If her tail is down or tucked between her legs, she may become restless. If she's pacing back and forth, she's probably agitated.
- If her back is arched and her fur stands on end, she is scared or angry.
Cat sounds also convey their feelings:
- Growling and/or hissing indicates that your cat is irritated, angry, fearful, or aggressive.
- Howling or growling means your cat is in distress. They may be in pain, trapped, or afraid.
Cat and kitten
When a small fluffy cat appears in the house, an adult cat, of course, is not ready for such a turn of events, so aggression on her part cannot be avoided
Judge for yourself: her cat's heart already belongs to you and she does not intend to share your attention with anyone. Therefore, the appearance of a new “family member” in the house is perceived as a betrayal
The cat will demonstrate its resentment by its behavior: it will hiss at the kitten, perhaps throw itself and in every possible way drive the “uninvited guest” away. What to do in such a situation?
Step one
You should not force the company of a kitten on your pet. If you see obvious irritation on her part, there is no need to put additional pressure on the animal: for her, a new tenant is already stressful. It is best to take the kitten to another room, if the apartment allows, so that the cat cannot get to it.
Naturally, each pet must have its own bowl and place to rest. After a while, switch places between the kitten and the cat so that the animals get used to each other’s smell. Then let the kitten wander around the apartment to adapt to the new environment. Let your cat watch him through the doorway.
Step three
This is a closer acquaintance. Place the kitten and the cat in the same room (maybe the kitchen). Place two bowls of food. First, pour food for the cat so that the new tenant understands who is boss, and then for the baby. First, place a partition between the cat and the kitten to prevent them from stealing food from each other's plate. Gradually bring the bowls closer together as the furry “family” stops fighting.
Step four
Try to appease a cat who feels unwanted - give her a toy, pamper her with a treat
Give her extra attention so that she feels your love and care. Over time, you will be able to share love in equal “proportions” with two pets. Even if a strong friendship between a kitten and a cat did not work out, do not be upset: animals can have different characters
All you need to do is just teach your cat and kitten to get along and not fight.
How to make friends?
cat and cat
Two adult males in an apartment cause a lot of inconvenience, as they almost always conflict. In nature, it turns out that the habitat of cats is much larger than that of females. Consequently, how many cats he will impregnate depends on the vastness of this territory. This is why cats have a negative attitude towards the fact that someone occupies their premises.
Adult pets can treat each other well for months, but there will still be periodic conflicts. With the help of a fight, they will be able to determine who is in charge, and, if possible, remove the opponent from their room.
If there is a female nearby who is ready to mate, then the fight between the cats will be especially brutal, and will most likely end in serious injury or death of one pet, if the forces are not equal.
In addition to fighting, pets will mark the territory every time, trying to kill the smell of a competitor, which will lead to an unpleasant odor in the house that is difficult to remove.
Cat and cat
And if it is almost impossible to make friends between two males, then pets of opposite sexes can get along quite well. But be prepared for the fact that in the first days of communication the cat will periodically show his temper, hissing or hitting the cat. This is how he shows his leadership.
Pets should be fed at the same time, but in different rooms. If they eat from the same bowl, the male will constantly eat everything himself. Consequently, the cat will quickly gain extra pounds, and the cat will constantly be malnourished. Both will have a negative impact on your health.
Many owners, in order to avoid fertilization of animals, simply separate them into rooms.
Kitten and cat
Males are more skeptical of kittens than females. Cats, by their nature, never care for kittens, and in the event of a conflict, they can even kill them. But an adult cat is unlikely to quarrel with a kitten, because the male understands that he does not pose any danger. And after a couple of weeks, the pets will definitely form a friendship. However, you should still be on the safe side: at first, do not leave the animals alone. As the kitten grows up, further communication will develop based on its gender.
Cat and cat
Cats have different personalities: they can be stubborn, proud and even fighty. Aggressive breeds rarely make friends with newcomers. It is not recommended to use force in raising pets, as this will cause the cat to develop an even greater dislike for its competitor. You will have to be patient and persevere.
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.
Is it worth getting several cats?
If one cat in the house is not enough for the owners, then they can get a second one. This solution has both pros (cats are great stress relievers) and cons (increased maintenance costs). Therefore, you need to think about whether you have enough free time to care for both animals and whether you can support them financially.
Many people get a second pet, thinking that the first one is boring being at home alone while the owner is away. This is not reasonable. It should be understood that representatives of the feline breed are not pack animals, so they do not require company
The owner’s attention is another matter; it must be given to any pet: both dogs and cats.
You should only get a second cat for company if you are away from home all day and cannot devote enough time to your pets.
However, it is important to understand that some pets are not able to find a common language and will constantly conflict, even if the owner does everything to reconcile them
Where to get?
There is a choice: here you have cats you know, nurseries with and without names, shelters, foster care, the Bird Market and His Majesty Chance.
Let’s agree right away that we are rejecting the Poultry Market for reasons of safety of an existing pet: the risk of buying not a healthy animal from the owner, but a “boxed version of a kitten” from a reseller (read: an emaciated animal suffering from almost all possible infections) is too great.
His Majesty the Case. Everything is simple here: dear Universe, responding to your request for a second animal, sends you a “messenger”. This could be a domestic kitten abandoned to the mercy of fate, a “boxer” on the move, or an accidental addition to the family of a yard or completely domestic cat. You just saw a certain cat essence and realized that this was your destiny.
Shelters and foster care. Carefully! In this case, the risk of taking a sick animal is also very high. Want to play it safe? Go to the chosen place yourself and conduct a “reconnaissance”. Dirty cages, smell, neglected animals are a reason to turn around and leave.
If the owner of the foster home takes the animal to the stairwell, to the elevator, to the corridor, but resolutely does not allow you into the apartment, the situation is even worse. For the safety of your pet, we advise you to look elsewhere for your new pet. Of course, except for those cases when you understand that life is not sweet for you without this beast.
Nurseries. It is better to choose a well-known nursery that has a website and good recommendations. Ask cat owners you know, go to specialized forums and, armed with a critical attitude, study the available information: your meticulousness will help save two cats’ lives (don’t forget about your existing pet)!
Cats of acquaintances/device through forums. Feel free to ask your “feline relatives” about everything that interests you: the date of birth of the kittens, living conditions, why they give away an adult animal? Is there an opportunity to visit your future household member? Don’t neglect it: it’s better to see it once and ask 10 questions than to ask a thousand questions during correspondence.
When looking for a candidate, be sure to pay attention to his health, availability of vaccinations, “sense of litter tray and scratching post” and communicability: about some animals they immediately write that they are the only pet in the family.
Two animals in the house: behavior options
Cats are one of the most skittish pets. When two animals appear in one apartment at once, a conflict between them is almost inevitable. It's easier for an adult cat to accept if she has to adopt a kitten. It is very difficult to make friends between two sexually mature males.
Representatives of the cat world are jealous of their territory, the owner’s attention, and food. Having got a second cat, the owner must make every effort so that the first one does not feel deprived. At the same time, the new animal must be provided with the necessary comfort.
Several types of relationships can be established between two adult cats:
Friendship. At the first meeting, the animals will quickly find a common language. They will sniff each other without showing hostility. In the future, the animals can sleep peacefully together, play, and calmly be in the same room. They do not mind sharing trays and food bowls and can lick each other. Fright. Often the pet experiences real horror from the new environment. He hides under a sofa or closet and refuses to eat for several days. A frightened cat may hiss and even fight. Competition. Each animal can feel disadvantaged and offended
Pets will try with all their might to fight for a bowl of food, the best warm place, and the owner’s attention. A few days after they met, you can watch how each of the cats approaches a person, arches their back, rubs against their legs, and purrs.
In these ways, animals try to get affection from the owner.
The behavior of two animals largely depends on the character of each. Often, behavioral characteristics can be adjusted depending on the situation. For example, an adult cat calmly accepted a kitten, but when it matured, it began to experience pronounced aggression towards it. However, competent actions by the owner can minimize problems in the relationship between the two animals.
How to properly raise a kitten from an early age?
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.
Beating and humiliating a cat is useless and dangerous
Beating and humiliating a cat for educational purposes is the worst thing the owner of a guilty animal can think of. Humiliation and physical violence will not achieve obedience from your pet. He will not be able to grasp the cause-and-effect relationship between his behavior and moral and physical pressure; he will not be able to somehow connect these events.
Beating and humiliating a kitten or an adult cat is also prohibited for another reason. Felines have an extremely vulnerable psyche. Anything can throw them out of emotional balance. Many cats have a hard time traveling in a car, a change of scenery, the appearance of a child or a new four-legged inhabitant in the house, even moving to another room can have a negative impact on their psyche.
Screaming and physical impact on them can lead to severe mental disorders that will require long-term and expensive treatment. However, there is no guarantee that it will be successful.
Tailed bully is not recommended:
- Poking your nose into urine and feces. Poking in its own excrement will result in severe stress for the animal. It will begin to fear its owner, and its behavior will become even more unpredictable, if not inadequate.
- Beat. In the mind of the pet, physical punishment will be fixed not in connection with the action committed, but with the offender or the object with which he was punished, for example, with a slipper. As a result, he will begin to avoid shoes and the person who offended him, but will not stop doing what he was beaten for.
- You can’t stop doing something using the “no” command. These animals do not understand the meaning of this word, and perceive prohibitions as a violation of their personal boundaries.
Beatings and humiliation will not solve the problem. This will only push the pet away, but will not improve the situation. The only thing that can be done without harming the cat’s psyche is to lightly slap it on the back with your palm at the moment the “crime” is committed.
Preparing for a second cat
Before a second cat appears in the house, you need to prepare the space by dividing it into several zones. Two cats in the house will get along much faster if they do not collide with each other in the resting, feeding and toilet areas.
Rest
The “new” cat should sleep separately from the “old” one, and preferably in a different room. The place where an old-timer relaxes is taboo for a newcomer. Be sure to prepare a comfortable mattress or house that will be located at some distance from your cat’s “bedroom”. It is advisable that there be a door between the seating areas that will need to be closed at night (at least for the first time).
Feeding
Two cats that don’t know each other well and have not yet established contact will most likely be most aggressive near food bowls. Therefore, the new cat needs to be fed from a separate dish, preferably not in the room where the “old” cat is used to eating. Over time, if the cats get along, the bowls can be moved. Cats need to be fed at the same time so that each is busy with its own bowl and does not try to take food from its rival.
Toilet
Be sure to buy a separate litter box for the “new” cat. The filler in the old tray should be dirty by the time the new one arrives. So the likelihood that the “new” cat will go into a clean litter box is higher (if the second cat soils the litter box first, a conflict may arise; the first cat may compromise cleanliness and start dirtying the corners). Over time, if the cats become friends, you can leave one tray.
The second cat should be placed so as not to disturb the old-timer. For your first cat, everything should remain the same. In no case should she feel violated in her rights due to the appearance of another animal in the house.
Features of different breeds
Cats of different breeds are characterized by certain behavioral features that should be taken into account when choosing a pet to join existing ones.
1. “Flock” breeds.
The most flexible in character are British Shorthairs and Ragdolls. For phlegmatic Britons, it is not difficult to get along with other relatives.
This also applies to ragdolls. Their good-natured disposition makes it easy to find a common language with other cats, especially those with a calm character. They are afraid of cats that are too active and assertive, which can cause severe stress.
In addition, exotics, Russian Blues, and Nibelungs can be called flexible. If you plan to “add” another cat to them, then most likely he will be accepted into the pack without any problems.
2. Single breeds.
Persians value tranquility, so the appearance of other relatives is often met with hostility. Only competent behavior of the owner will help in this case to avoid hostility and conflicts between pets, and prevent serious stress.
Siamese cats and Sphynx cats are the most aggressive towards other pets. Siamese are extremely jealous, and never want to share their owner's attention with others. This makes their peaceful coexistence with their competitors almost impossible.
Sphinxes have a suspicious character, they are distrustful. Because of this, they perceive changes in their lives painfully and find it difficult to get along with new neighbors.
It will also be difficult for you to reconcile your pet with its relatives if you are the owner of an Abyssinian, Burmese, Burmese, Siberian, Savannah and Bengal.
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How to prepare for the introduction of two cats?
In order to introduce and, most importantly, make friends between a cat and a kitten, it is important to initially prepare an apartment or house for the arrival of a new furry. Please note that each of them needs their own separate space - otherwise conflicts are inevitable. There are rooms and separate areas where cats can interact closely with each other
However, it is much more important to determine the places where two fluffies should not intersect:
There are rooms and separate areas where cats can interact closely with each other. However, it is much more important to determine the places where two fluffies should not intersect:
- toilet;
- dining room;
- bedroom;
- your own corner;
- toys.
Toilet
The number of trays should increase in proportion to the number of pets. Not a single cat can go to the toilet in another animal’s litter box - purrs are terribly squeamish in this matter. In addition, the tray must be selected based on the age of the animal - high sides are completely unsuitable for small kittens.
Dining room
As with litter boxes, each of the two cats in the house should have a separate food and water bowl. It is advisable to place them at a distance from each other. Of course, you won’t be able to regularly ensure that your four-legged friends don’t steal each other’s food. However, severe conflicts over food may be preventable.
Place to sleep
Never will a cat who has lived with you for several years allow a newcomer to sleep somewhere nearby. At the bedding-in stage, a hierarchy is clearly visible between the two cats in the house. Therefore, it is better for two animals to sleep not just separately, but also in different rooms. In the first few weeks, it is better to even lock the animals separately to avoid fights.
Your personal corner
Regardless of the age and gender of the cat, it must have its own “shelter”, so to speak - a place where neither people nor other pets can find it
This is especially important for new fluffies - the “oldies” already know the house inside and out and can hide, for example, in a closet or under the sofa. So, to make your cat more comfortable, place an empty box in the room - this is an excellent shelter for the first time.
Toys and accessories
Two cats in the house should have a separate set of toys. This is not necessary - if the pets quickly found a common language, they may well share balls or teddy mice. However, for the first couple of months it is better to take care of two scratching posts and toys.
After arranging the apartment, it is also important to take all necessary measures in order to make friends between two adult cats or furry cats of different ages. This process consists of two simple steps:
- Place the cats in different rooms. Leave most of the territory to the old animal.
- Introduce cats in one common room. It is better to do this 2-3 days after the new kitten appears in the house.
- If communication goes smoothly, increase the number of meetings. If not, isolate the cats for a couple of days and try again.
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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.