ALLEY CAT RESCUE
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Cat on cat aggression 

Causes of Aggression 

There are several reasons why cats might be aggressive towards one another. The most common cause is under socialization, meaning your cat had a lack of positive experiences with other cats early in his life. Cats are territorial animals, so introducing a new cat into your home can be stressful and threatening to your current cat. In particular, two unrelated males or two unrelated females may have an especially difficult time sharing space. Other times, there may be a clash of personalities. In some cases, cats will get along until there is a traumatic event (loud fireworks, the scent of the vet) that becomes associated with the other cat. Relationships between cats also change as they mature.

Maternal Aggression 
A mother cat with a litter of kittens may display aggression towards other cats who approach her, even ones that she was formally friendly with. Maternal aggression usually stops once the kittens are weaned, but it’s a good idea to spay your cat so that she doesn’t have any more litters or future aggression issues.

Play Aggression 
It is normal for kittens and young cats to partake in rough, lively play. They may stalk, scratch, chase, pounce, swat, bite, and attack each other – but it’s all in good fun. You can differentiate play aggression from real aggression by observing their interactions. If they’re playing, it’s mutual. They will switch roles often. Their ears and bodies are usually facing forward, and their claws may be out but they aren’t causing injury.
Tips for Managing Aggression
  • Don’t let your cats ‘fight it out’. Interrupt their fighting with loud noises or a water gun spray.
  • Neuter male cats. Unneutered males are more likely to be aggressive.
  • Reduce competition by separating their resources. Provide them with multiple food bowls, beds, and litter boxes in various places in your house.
  • Offer additional perches.  Providing more hiding spots and perches means your cats will have more space to spread out.
  • Reward good behavior. Give praise or treats to your cats when they are acting friendly towards each other.
  • Pheromones, which humans can’t smell but mimic natural cat odors, can also help decrease tensions.
 
References

“Aggression Between Cats in Your Household.” ASPCA, www.aspca.org/pet-care/cat-care/common-cat-behavior-issues/aggression-between-cats-your-household.
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  • Home
    • Press
    • Our Stories
    • About >
      • Email Sign-up
      • Frequently Asked Questions
      • History >
        • Our Team
        • Partners
        • Board of Directors
        • Financial Information
        • Privacy Policy
    • Action Alerts >
      • Welfare Programs >
        • Petitions
        • California Declaw Bill
        • New York Declaw Bill
        • PACT Act
        • Spay Neuter Pledge
        • Michigan TNR bill
        • No Declaw Pledge
        • Toxoplasmosis gondii, Cats, and the Threats Posed to Pregnant Women
        • Adoptions >
          • Cats available for adoption
          • Adoption Inquiry Form
          • New Cat Checklist
          • Introducing A New Cat
        • Campaigns >
          • Working Cats Program >
            • Shelters with Working Cat Programs
          • African Wildcat >
            • Press Release on African Wildcat Campaign
            • Differences between AWCs and domestic cats
          • The Feral Fix
          • End Deadly Eradication Methods Campaign
          • "Fix the Family" Campaign
    • News >
      • ACR Newsletters
      • Press Releases
  • Spay/Neuter
    • COVID-19 Protocol for S/N Clinic
    • Early Age Spay/Neuter
    • Misconceptions About Spay/Neuter
    • Types of Spay and Neuter Procedures
    • State Low Cost Spay/Neuter
  • How to Help Community Cats
    • Find a Stray Cat?
    • What is a Feral Cat? >
      • Feral vs. Stray Cats
      • Benefits of Feral Cats
    • TNR-- What does this mean? >
      • TNR Statistics
      • TNR Step-by-Step
      • TNR: Do It Yourself!
      • Targeted Trapping
      • TNR Tips
      • Hard to Catch Cats
      • TNR Equipment Resources
      • TNR/Community Cat Care Financial Resources
      • Where to Buy TNR Equipment
      • Helping Shelters Implement TNR Programs
      • Adopting Adult Feral Cats >
        • Feral Kittens >
          • What to do if you find kittens
          • Stages of Kitten Development
          • Orphaned Kittens
          • Socializing Feral Kittens
          • Fostering Kittens
        • How Rescuers Can Effectively Adopt Out Cats
      • Common Complaints
      • Providing Shelter
    • State Resources
    • Health Care
    • Cat Overpopulation
    • Relocation
    • Feral Cats and the Law
    • Cats and Wildlife >
      • Cats and Predation
      • Where have all the birds gone?
      • Debunking the Myths and Misinformation: Cat Predation
      • Why Eradication Methods Fail
    • Handbook Download
  • Cat Health
    • Health Care for Your Cat >
      • Vaccines
      • Wellness Vet Checkups
      • Microchiping
      • Nail Trimmings
      • Effects of aging
      • Hospice Care and Euthanasia Decisions
      • Financial Assistance
      • Cat Supplies
      • How to Prepare for an Emergency
      • Pet Food Banks
    • Common Cat Health Issues >
      • Feline Panleukopenia
      • Fleas
      • FIP, FeLV, FIV >
        • Testing for FeLV/FIV
      • Zoonotic Diseases
      • Rabies
      • Toxoplasmosis
      • Ringworm - Symptoms and Treatment
      • Ringworm Myths Debunked
      • Obesity in Cats
      • Diabetes
      • Indoor/Outdoor Cats >
        • Winter Tips for Protecting Cats
        • Summer Tips for Cats
    • Cats & Claws
    • Animal Cruelty Against Cats
    • Hazardous Poisons
    • Poisonous Plants
    • Pet Disaster Preparedness
    • COVID-19 Pet Food Banks
    • Cats and COVID-19
  • Cat Behavior
    • Solutions to Prevent Surrendering you cat
    • Common Cat Behavior Issues
    • Litter Box Problems
    • Scratching and Destructive Behavior
    • Meowing and Yowling
    • Urine Marking
    • Aggressive Cats
    • Cat Enrichment
    • Introducing Cats
    • Cat on Cat Aggression
    • Behavior Issues in Elderly Cats
    • Tips for Entertaining an Indoor Cat
    • Cat Supply Resources
    • Lost Cat
  • Donate
  • Store