According to pet parents, one of the more common cat behavioral problems is aggression between cats in a multi-cat household. The source of the explosive behavior could be due to any of several reasons, including incompatible personalities, territorial competition or overcrowding. Cats normally establish a hierarchy among themselves, but the tricky thing is it can be fairly unpredictable and can change suddenly: cats that have gotten along for a long time may experience an abrupt falling out, leaving pet parents mystified. If this happens, try to determine if there has been a change in the household, such as visitors, renovations, a new baby, going on vacation, you having an illness, a change in your routine, etc. All of these seemingly inconsequential changes are stressful to your feline and can have profound effects on their behavior. Aggression following a separation between your cats, such as after a cat returns home from a visit to the veterinarian, can cause non-recognition aggression. Redirected aggression can be caused when one cat is startled by an external stimulus, such as seeing an intruding outdoor cat through a window, and attacks the other as a result of agitation. Most of these situations can be remedied by separating the cats with time to cool down followed by a gradual reintroduction to each other paired with positive experiences and things that will provide pleasure, such as affection, toys, catnip and/or treats. Before reintroducing your cats, dab a spot of cologne or dust a light layer of a scented dusting powder on them. This helps because all of the cats have similar scents. The best thing to do with cats is to try and reduce stress and aggression before things really escalate. Here are four tips on how to keep cat fights from happening in the first place: 1. Provide Sanctuary for Each Cat Many times, cats quibble over territory. Most cats prefer a little place to call their own, so find out where each cat likes to spend the bulk of time and make it a safe haven with a cat bed, some food and water, maybe a scratching post or cat tree and, if possible, a litterbox. 2. Practice No Reaction to Cat Quibbles If your felines are having a hard time getting along, it is very important for you to keep your body language and tone of voice relaxed and playful. Keep it light and say something like, “Come on silly kitties. Be sweet!” A soothing response on your part can help defuse the situation. 3. Distraction Works Wonders If your cats are hissing and tense, try distracting them with a toy, such as a laser pointer or a fishing pole. You can also toss treats or catnip near the kitties and speak in a relaxed tone - the key is to provide something distracting and enjoyable for the kitties. Do this as often as possible - the more positive time cats spend together, the better. 4. Feline Facial Pheromones There are a number of products on the market that copy a cat’s facial pheromone and create familiarity in the cat’s surrounding, and they can help crabby cats during stressful situations. They are available as a plug-in or a spray. How long it will take for these methods to reduce fighting and tension in your multi-cat household depends on several factors, including the size of the meltdown and how long the problem has been going on. For severe cases, there are medications available to help your cat cope, so talk to your family veterinarian to find the method that works best for your cat. What do you do if you witness an actual cat fight between your beloved felines? The most important thing to remember is never attempt to breakup the fight by handling the cats. In the ruckus, one or both of your cats can injure you with painful bites or deep scratches which can become infected and require antibiotics, sutures or surgery, or lead to a condition called Cat Scratch Fever. Cats are quick and powerful and in a cat fight, seconds count. To break up the fight, try tossing a jacket or blanket on top of them, or throw a soft pillow in their direction. Striking a section of rolled-up newspaper against something also works, as the sudden sound startles them. If you have a history of cat fights in your home, you should keep a stash of newspaper available. As a last resort, sprinkling them with water will always break up a fight. As soon as they are separated, close them in separate rooms to allow them to cool down. Once they are calm, gently assess them for signs of bleeding or swelling. Approach them slowly and speak in a soothing manner. It is also important to examine your cats for two days following the fight as well, as abscesses can develop 24-48 hours after the fight. If you find any wounds, call your family veterinarian. My sincere hope is that by following some of these suggestions, cooler heads will prevail in your multi-cat household. Thank you so much for all you do to make the world a better place for companion animals. Dr. Jane Bicks As a holistic vet, I’m frequently asked, “How can I deal with my cat’s bad attitude?” The problem area dubbed “feline aggression” can be complicated, upsetting and potentially hazardous for pet parents. Not only can cat bites and scratches really hurt, they can transmit diseases, too, such as cat scratch fever (yes, it is real). While most cat moms and dads prefer a purring lap-warmer, especially on cold winter nights, some felines need extra help learning how to sheathe their claws. Unfortunately, feline aggression is not well understood or handled appropriately. An important first step in dealing with this frustrating issue is to understand the behavior. Learning why a cat lashes out can help pet parents deal with the issue patiently and properly. In this post I’ll be covering the five basic types of aggression in cats. Pain- or Health-Related Aggression A cat who is experiencing pain or ailing may exhibit aggressive behavior, so it’s vital that your first stop be a trip to your vet, especially if what you’re witnessing is a recent change in behavior. Medical conditions that can cause pain and aggression include abscesses, dental disease and arthritis. Additionally, hyperthyroidism is associated with increased aggression in older cats. Alleviation of underlying medical conditions can often resolve the aggressive behavior. Play Aggression This form of aggression is typical of young cats and kittens. You can recognize play aggression by the feline’s posture: stalking or crouching like a lion, lashing the tail from side-to-side, especially when their pupils are dilated. As unsuspecting “prey” passes, whether it’s your dog or your spouse ... pounce! The cat who attacks your ankle and then disappears in a flurry of fur isn’t trying to maim you - he’s playing, albeit aggressively. The best way to address play aggression is integrate a toy, such as a cat fishing pole or a laser pointer, into play sessions. These toys serve a dual purpose - they will hold your cat’s attention while burning off excess energy and keep your hands out of the “strike zone”. A stuffed sock can provide the perfectly-pouncible object. If additional measures are required to curb the behavior, consider blocking access to your cat’s favorite stalking places or use a noise deterrent, such as shaking a can full of coins. Remember that you must use a noise deterrent within the first few seconds of the inappropriate behavior for it to be effective. Never let your cat, even when he is a cute kitty, view you as an acceptable chew-toy. You might also trim her nails to minimize the “ouch factor” (here’s a video that shows you how). Fear Aggression When a fearful cat encounters an unpleasant situation, such as the veterinary office, he will likely take steps to protect himself. Fear clues include crouching with tail and legs tucked under, hissing and baring teeth, flattened ears, dilated pupils and fur standing on end. If your cat is fearful, it is important to identify and avoid, if possible, the thing triggering the fear. To overcome fear aggression, you can try to desensitize your cat to the fear-inducing object by keeping it at a distance and rewarding your cat with treats for non-aggressive behavior. Also, try to minimize stress in a fearful feline’s home environment. If your cat is completely out of control, have your veterinarian refer you to a behavioral specialist who can work with you and possibly prescribe medications to get your cat through the rough spots. Redirected Aggression I like to refer to this type as “innocent bystander aggression”. Redirected aggression typically occurs when a cat is aroused by one stimulus, such as a bird outside, when another pet or person intervenes. A cat exhibiting redirected aggression can be staring at something while growling and pacing with a lashing tail and dilated eyes. Avoid this cat until he has calmed down because interaction can lead to injury. If you can identify the stimulus that sets off your cat, you may be able to prevent the aggression. If it’s an external stimulus for an indoor cat, try using sticky tape or window blinds to prevent him from perching on windowsills. This, coupled with motion-activated lights (or sprinklers) to discourage outdoor visitors, could end the behavior. If your cat is aroused for an extended period of time, you can herd him with a thick folded blanket to a “time out” room equipped with food, water and litter. After he becomes calm, reward him with loads of attention. Overstimulation Similar to redirected aggression, overstimulation usually occurs when you are petting your cat and out of the blue they grab you and sink their teeth or claws into you. For highly reactive and vivacious cats, even a single long stroke down the spine can elicit an aggressive reaction. The key here is to recognize the warning signs: when the tail starts twitching, stop petting. Restrict your affections to areas that your cat enjoys, such as behind the ears or under the chin. If your cat grabs you, try not to overact; in fact, if you can, simply freeze … they will usually calm down quickly and let go. If you take-away anything from this article, I hope it’s to never, ever hit a biting or scratching cat. Physical punishment, even a light rap on the nose, can increase fear and anxiety, potentially worsening the aggressive behavior. With time and patience, you can turn even the most claw-happy kitty into a loving companion. Thank you for all you do to make the world a better place for companion animals, Dr. Jane |
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