Cat-on-Cat Aggression
Causes of Aggression
Undersocialization - 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.
Redirected aggression - 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.
Undersocialization - 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.
Redirected aggression - 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.
How to reintroduce cats after a fight
- Separate the cats. The attacked cat should have the "choice" location in the home to boost her confidence. The aggressor should be kept to a smaller area of the home to prevent her from continuing to claim it as her territory. Adding pheromone diffusers to the locations of both cats will help reduce their stress levels.
- While the cats are still separated, use a sock or cloth to pet them both every day to exchange their scents with one another.
- Switch their respective rooms once a day for about 20 minutes so they can explore eachother's territory and scents.
- When the cats both seem calm when visiting one another's rooms, open the doors of the rooms so the cats can see one another and block the doors with a screen or gate. Give them positive reinforcement with treats and pets when they see each other.
- When they react calmly to seeing one another, you can begin placing them in the same room together - a different room than that which either were confined in so they are meeting on neutral territory. Provide treats or playtime while in the room with them. These sessions should last only a few minutes at first, once or twice a day, and then each session can increase over time.
- If the aggressor cat looks like she is getting ready to attack, divert her attention with an interactive toy.
Personality clashes - Just like people, some cats just don't like one another. Often, over time and if living in a large enough space, they will mostly avoid being around one another as much as possible.
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
References
“Aggression Between Cats in Your Household.” ASPCA, www.aspca.org/pet-care/cat-care/common-cat-behavior-issues/aggression-between-cats-your-household.
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.
- If one cat is the aggressor, add a bell to their collar so the other cat knows where they are, and when they are close by.
- 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. Brands that are sold in pet stores and on Amazon include Feliway, Comfort Zone, Thunderease, and Well & Good.
References
“Aggression Between Cats in Your Household.” ASPCA, www.aspca.org/pet-care/cat-care/common-cat-behavior-issues/aggression-between-cats-your-household.