Cats fight and yell - what to do, how to make cats friends with each other in the apartment?

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.

When the cat is the enemy

It would seem that a cat fighting with a cat is nonsense, and yet this happens regularly, and this is not a matter of family squabbles. During motherhood, the cat will not allow anyone close to her children who is even slightly aggressive. If a cat turns up under a hot hand, then, of course, it will be in trouble.

But sometimes it comes to a fight during love games. Having forgotten, the cat may well cause serious pain to the cat; in such a situation, the cat may react instantly and inadequately.

What should a person whose cat has grappled with an enemy do? There are not many options: either a bucket of water or throw a thick cloth over the fighters. The animals themselves will stop fighting. But you should not approach or try to pick up your cat, because this will cost you deep scratches and bites. Time will pass, the animal will calm down and come to caress itself.

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.

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.

© shutterstock

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

My pet is being attacked by the cat living next door. What can I do?

Sometimes aggression associated with the manifestation of territorial rights goes beyond what is necessary. The so-called hooligan cats deliberately appear on “foreign land” in order to claim it. They enter properties and houses, attacking furry residents (and sometimes their owners if they become an obstacle), and also mark vertical surfaces before leaving. These impudent people rarely encounter resistance on their way, because... choose the victim wisely - an older, weaker or timid cat. Interestingly, in the UK the largest number of “criminals” are found among pets of the Burmese and Bengal breeds. However, aggressive behavior associated with invading someone else's territory can be exhibited by any cat (this is more typical for males), no matter whether they are purebred or not.

It is very unpleasant when your cat is attacked in her own home. There is a desire to demand that the owner of the “shaggy insolent” take action to prevent future attacks, since it is he who is responsible for his robber. However, the reality is that the owner of an abused cat often has to take matters into his own hands. If a furry friend is unable to stop the attack, a person should intervene to protect the pet and its territorial rights.

There is debate as to whether the intrusion of some individuals into someone else's space is considered normal. At the moment, there is no evidence that attacks on relatives for territory are something unnatural for representatives of the cat family.

Both purebred and street cats have been living next to each other for many generations. It would seem that it is time for them to moderate their territorial appetites. However, natural cat aggression has not disappeared. It’s just that a significant portion of individuals exhibit it to a lesser extent.

When faced with a furry aggressor, you must first determine whether it has an owner. If a cat lives on the street, you need to contact employees of a specialized service who humanely catch, castrate and rehome the animals.

If the owner is identified, you need to try to negotiate with him about the “confinement” of the despot at night within the walls of the house (if the invasion occurs in the dark). To motivate an aggressive animal to return from a walk at the appointed time, the owner can treat him with some kind of treat before bed. A cat that goes on “raids” during the day may be subject to a curfew. If other pets suffer from his aggressive behavior, it is necessary to inform their owners about the restrictive measures introduced; owners will know that during this period of the day their animals are not in danger. It would also be useful to attach bells to the collar of the aggressor cat, the ringing of which will warn of the approach of the bully and will enable pets and owners to take the necessary measures.

To make an attacked cat feel calmer, you should “tightly” close the cat flap, as well as other passages that allow a stranger to enter the house. An additional safety measure will be to calculate the route of an aggressive cat and block the path. A prey cat, even one accustomed to going outside, must be provided with a home litter box. When a suffering furry friend leaves the premises, it is best to accompany him. If the cat is accustomed to using its own entrance/exit and insists on free movement, you can use modern technologies and install a special damper “customized” for the resident of the house. However, some sneaky people who want to get into other people's houses manage to fool such devices.

The owner of an aggressive cat, in addition to confining his pet, should take additional measures. Restrictions on movement can cause stress in an animal, so it is necessary to create an atmosphere conducive to relieving emotional stress: place several soft and warm loungers around the house, as well as arrange play sessions in the morning, evening, and during those periods when the bully is usually overly active.

For some cats, aggressive behavior is so deeply ingrained in nature that the only solution may be to move to an area with fewer cats.

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

Cats are not pack animals

A cat is a predator that walks on its own. If you have several pets living in your home, make sure that everyone has personal items: a bowl, a scratcher, a scratching post and a pad. They don't tend to share with their siblings, so sharing the same toy or cup of water will most likely end in a fight.

If you add a new kitten to a cat you already have at home, then remember that fights are inevitable. The old resident will definitely show the new one who is boss here. This time must be endured. You should not artificially “introduce” cats to each other by pushing their faces together. Let everything go naturally.

According to experts, well-socialized cats (those who have had experience interacting with other cats as children) will be more sociable than those who have not had such experience.

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?

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.

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.

Why did my cat attack his companion when he saw a stranger outside the window?

Cats that are under stress and are suddenly threatened may redirect their aggression towards a nearby cat. Animals have a survival instinct that triggers the attack/flight mechanism. It involves the release of adrenaline and filling the muscles with blood; thus the body prepares to face danger. This cat reaction can be caused by a sudden sound, movement or appearance of a cat outside the window. At this moment, the pet may accidentally attack an innocent relative who was in the wrong place at the wrong time. The consequence of the mistake is a damaged relationship between the furry inhabitants of the same house.

To restore calm to a cat’s life, immediately after the attack, place the cats in different rooms for 1-2 days. If the aggressive reaction recurs, longer isolation will be required.

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.

Game - as a manifestation of instincts

Behavioral stereotypes are formed by innate instincts and personal experience. Thus, cat play can be seen as honing the most important instincts:

• defensive;
• hunting;
• territorial;
• sexual

Month-old kittens' eyes are already open, and their paws are getting stronger day by day, requiring training.

Observations. It is enough to observe the offspring to track the behavior of an adult animal in one or another element of the game:

1. The breadwinner instinct manifests itself in the pursuit and capture of a rolling ball, a rustling candy wrapper, or the twitching tip of the mother's tail.
2. Growing kittens try their hand at tracking each other like “prey” from an ambush, attacking in a jump and biting the head and neck.
3. Hunting passion is demonstrated in the form of possessive displays towards the “prey” during general feeding.
4. Defensive skills are practiced during “military exercises,” when kids pretend to wave their paws, copy combat grips, and dodge the “enemy.”
5. The games of male cats, which from the age of 4 months can grab their sisters by the withers with their teeth and sit on top, are full of shades of sexual behavior.

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:

1. Place the cats in different rooms. Leave most of the territory to the old animal.
2. Introduce cats in one common room. It is better to do this 2-3 days after the new kitten appears in the house.
3. 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.

Features of behavior during combat

If the reason for the conflict lies in the defense of its territory, then the cat is ready to defend its possessions to the last. Cat fights can last for days. Rivals may growl hostilely at each other, hiss and beat with their paws. Even when one of the participants in the battle begins to submit, the other cat is ready to accept surrender only if the victim of the battle finally leaves the territory of the winner.

But if a cat fight occurs at home, it is very difficult to try on two warring individuals. As for castrated individuals, they are more restrained towards encroachments on their territory.

In the video we invite you to watch how cats usually fight.

But if we talk about cats, they are friendlier towards their rivals. But, nevertheless, fights can occur, and the reason for this is the hunting period. Thus, competing with each other for the attention of the “groom,” they are forced to engage in battle. The cats fight until one of them agrees to take the secondary role.

Conflict can even arise between a cat and a cat. Although many believe that the latter is subordinate to the cat and obligingly fulfills the wishes of a more powerful ruler. But in fact, a cat is capable of fighting with a cat, putting him into a stupor with his tough temperament.

True, in most cases she uses cunning tricks to achieve what she wants. The cat knows maneuvers that allow it not to enter into open confrontation. Sometimes you can see a picture where a cat hisses at his “roommate” or delivers a single blow with his paw. Thus, he tries to remind her who is boss. Such behavior is just a demonstration of power.

Serious cat fights can occur when a cat decides to attack head-on. Therefore, in such a situation, the cat has no choice, and he tries to pacify his neighbor. Cat fights usually occur near a food bowl or in a narrow corridor. Such skirmishes are usually short-term, but they are also quite noisy. Reconciliation occurs only if one of the pets obeys the other. It is worth noting that animals of different sexes rarely fight to the last.

In case of injury

Light bruises are treated with cold compresses, astringents, pressure bandages, and subsequently it is impossible to do without thermal procedures and alcohol-drying bandages.

And, most importantly: after providing first aid, immediately consult a doctor. Especially if you are concerned about the severity of your injuries.

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The answer to this question should be sought in the character of the pet, temperament, and the very essence of the feline. These four-legged creatures are freedom-loving, independent and sometimes even proud creatures. Deep down, every second cat is an egoist who divides everything around him into two halves: “mine”, “not mine”. The latter is rarely brought up for consideration. Even for some breeds, such as the American Wirehair cat, the owner is branded

as "mine". The animal's territory is also no exception. By regularly checking its territory, the pet identifies changes and innovations each time, evaluating them.

However, what happens if two individuals are placed in one room or other enclosed space?

And it doesn’t matter at all whether they are same-sex or different-sex. In the second case, we exclude the period of estrus

If you come back after a while, you can see a picture of cats fighting

. It can be very rare when, in a closed room, two representatives of the cat family sit opposite each other and look at each other with unblinking gazes. This may be possible if the meeting of rivals took place on the street and everyone has the opportunity to run away at any time. Then yes, the opponents will be in each other’s field of vision, and exchange threatening sounds, postures, “drilling” their gaze at the opponent.

My cat got into a fight. What should I do?

If you find out that your pet has just gotten into a fight, you should take him home and not let him go outside. Since after clarifying relationships with their relatives, cats are often overexcited, you should not pay increased attention to your furry friend. It is best to leave him alone, giving him the opportunity to calm down. It is also recommended to inspect the animal. Superficial cuts and scrapes are usually easy to see, but bite wounds can be difficult to detect. Cat teeth leave deep but narrow marks; cavities fill with bacteria and quickly close; as a result, an abscess may develop. Lethargy, withdrawal, avoidance of contact, lameness are signs of an inflammatory process and a reason to contact a veterinary clinic.