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.
Adult cat and kitten up to six months
A sexually mature male, whether castrated or not, is unlikely to accept the baby friendly. But he will never get into a fight with him, even if the new pet attacks him himself. It can hit with its paw, but will not cause serious injuries and will not extend its claws.
If the kitten is very small (a month or a month and a half), then you should not leave the animals alone until the younger one grows up and gets stronger. In the wild, a male will eliminate a defenseless enemy from his territory, even if it is a child.
When the kitten is three months old, the cat will no longer be able to strangle it.
If the cat is neutered, then most likely he will accept a new tenant and the pets will quickly become friends.
The real reasons for aggression in cats
Living in freedom, cats fight and actively demonstrate their instincts. They take a tense posture and make active movements. They stand opposite the enemy, as if on their hind legs, and do not take their eyes off their competitor. They flatten their ears, grin and growl, hiss and paw. This behavior stops when cats stop seeing their opponent as a danger.
For your information! At their core, they are fighters and predators. Instincts play a fundamental role in their behavior. Sexual desire is the basic instinct that causes cats to fight.
If animals live in the same territory, then very often the cats fight due to isolation, aggression due to fear, and rejection of each other. During a fight, cats try to defend for themselves better conditions for existence. And during this fight, claws, teeth, blows, hissing and all possible tricks and tricks are used. Males who have not been castrated fight for territory, especially when there is a cat next to them, the cat feels like a gentleman. Thus, they defend their territory and try to prove that they are in charge there. The cats that are on the property belong to them and are at their disposal. They fearlessly defend their territory, subconsciously understanding that most of it belongs to them.
After such conflicts over territory, cats risk being left with torn out tufts of fur, scratches on their faces and bites, but they can be weaned off fighting and aggression by consulting a doctor.
Meanings according to different dream books
The Mayans considered this dream a harbinger of joy. It promises pleasant trips and tourism. For the prediction to come true for sure, the dreamer must carry with him a piece of fur from a real cat.
According to the Modern Dream Book, cats fight for future difficulties. Solving them will require courage and determination. The same dream on the night from Sunday to Monday promises the beginning of a new stage and renewal.
The symbolism of the dream is ambiguous. Cats mean deceit, indifference and selfishness. At the same time, they are characterized by independence, determination and inner strength. Therefore, a dream can symbolize not only real enemies, but also contradictions tearing apart the sleeping person.
According to Shuvalova’s dream book, the plot means internal conflict and hidden aggression. The sleeper is in a subordinate position to an unpleasant person. The plot promises a quick resolution of the conflict, but the result will not necessarily be positive.
Aesop considered cats to be a very complex symbol. He thought that dreams about these animals are not empty, but the meaning of the prophecy can be very difficult to decipher. A fight between a cat and a dog, according to the ancient Greek sage, means danger in real life. The dreamer should be careful. Cats fighting among themselves symbolizes minor troubles that a person can overcome only through courage and perseverance.
Veles's dream book warns that a dead cat promises trouble. Trouble awaits a person, someone is plotting evil against him.
Psychotherapist David Loff argues that cats symbolize the dreamer's fantasy and intuition. A fight between them means a creative crisis. In this case, we are talking only about unfamiliar animals. The dreamer's own cat simply reflects everyday worries and has no special meaning.
According to the Dream Book of Health, small predators warn of damage and the evil eye. If a cat scratches the dreamer, this promises deep moral experiences. The deeper the wound, the greater the suffering.
Cats in a dream always warn of troubles. They can be avoided if you take the situation seriously and take timely measures. Self-esteem, courage and determination will help a person emerge victorious from any situation.
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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.
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 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.
What not to do when cats are fighting
When you're trying to help your cats get along, it's important to pay attention to whether they're playing or actually fighting. If the fight is real, you want to stop it and then react accordingly.
Don't let them fight!
If there is a real, bloody fight, try to separate the cats, but not with your hands, otherwise you may get seriously hurt. Try to distract them with a loud noise or sudden movement to break their concentration on the fight.
Don't punish your cat
Never punish your cat for acting aggressively towards another cat. Punishment can make fearful or aggressive behavior worse.
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.
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.
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.
How to behave as an owner during cat fights
If cats, peacefully coexisting in the same house, begin to fight, then this cannot be ignored. Sharp claws and teeth can cause irreparable harm to the health of pets:
- Initially, the animals must be separated. But you shouldn’t get into a fight with your bare hands. This is fraught with injury to the person himself. The most effective way is to spray with cold water. You can make a loud sound, pop, etc. In other words, the animals need to be switched to another stimulus.
There is no need to separate fighting animals with your hands; for a person this will end in deep scratches at best
How to find the cause of the conflict
The cause of conflict between animals is not always easy to find. The problem of aggressive behavior can be caused not only by the psychological characteristics of animals, but also by health problems. If one of the cats is sick, then the second one tends to attack him in order to defeat the weak one. Animal nature does not know compassion.
The cause of a conflict between two animals may be the bad mood of one of the pets. One cat became a victim of another only because it turned out to be weaker and turned up under the “hot paw” at the wrong time. A visit to the veterinarian or a bath can trigger a fight. If one of the animals was subjected to one or another procedure, then its smell has changed somewhat, and the second cat ceases to perceive the first as a member of its family.
The listed reasons are not a complete list of possible factors that could serve as a reason for a fight. For example, cats can start a fight because of jealousy, changes in the body at the hormonal level, because of the bad character of one of the pets, etc. The owner should analyze everything that happened in the house in the last hours before the fight. The cause of the fight must be established with maximum accuracy so that it can be eliminated and prevent future fights between pets.
Vanga's Dream Book
According to the dream book of the Bulgarian seer, seeing crippled dogs and cats in a dream is an unkind and alarming sign. This may indicate an imminent illness or epidemic. It will be quite difficult to recover. It is recommended to pay maximum attention to your own health and take care of your loved ones.
A cat in a dream is also considered a bad omen - a cat fighting with someone else usually indicates a difficult, troubled relationship, full of jealousy and mistrust. Quarrels and unpleasant changes are coming.
In this situation, it is best to focus all your efforts on maintaining internal resources and maintaining peace in your family. Try to be stronger and do not give in to provocations.
According to this dream book, many cats and dogs in a dream are a sign of a shameful situation, after which it will be difficult to avoid shame. Reputation can be hopelessly damaged.
What to do to avoid provoking clashes between cats
After eliminating the cause of the conflict, an important step in the peaceful coexistence of cats in the same house is the prevention of such incidents. We must use all possible means to achieve, if not complete unity, then at least a long-term truce.
Personal hygiene items
Each pet should have its own items that only it uses. These include bowls, combs, trays, scratching posts:
- this will help avoid fights over food or going to the toilet;
- This approach creates more hygienic living conditions for pets.
When the owner observes open clashes between animals, bowls with food and water should be placed as far from each other as possible, for example, in different rooms. The same goes for trays.
It is better if each cat in the house has its own bowl.
Each animal must be provided with its own toys. It is important not to confuse them in the future, otherwise the offense may spread from the furry neighbor to the owner. Cats are very sensitive and, if they catch someone else's scent on a toy, they can easily react in a negative way.
Individual games
The owner of several pets must learn one simple rule: give each pet at least 30 minutes a day for play. This allows you to create harmony in relationships with each representative. In addition, cats will see that they are equally important to their owner.
During the game, the cat will throw out excess energy, along with which aggression will go away.
If the owner is not alone, then several people can play with the cats at the same time, and then change places. With such a setup, it is important that during the game the cats do not intersect and cannot interfere with each other. An interactive puzzle toy can be an excellent option to keep your pet occupied. You can order it online or buy it at a pet store.
A puzzle game can keep your pet occupied by separating it from another animal in a separate room.
How to make furry bullies friends
In order to make warring cats friends, associations of a positive attitude can be useful. The owner of the animals must achieve a situation in which the animals have only positive perceptions of each other. To do this, treats and affection are used. For example, pet cats only at the same time. Treat them to “goodies” in the presence of each other, etc. Here you need to be careful and behave in such a way as not to single out one animal from the whole group, otherwise a new conflict cannot be avoided.
So we became friends with each other, not only the cats, who began to conflict with each other, but also the cats and the dog. Now, for example, my animals do not perceive each other as enemies: the dog does not touch the cats, they have stopped hissing and rushing at her. So the method works is to simultaneously stroke the animals and speak kind words to them.
Video: how to make friends between two cats who have not lived together before
Using a Clicker
Many breeders, not only cats, but also dogs, use a clicker when training animals. This is a special device that can make a sound resembling a click. If the animal does everything as it should, then its correct actions are noted with the help of a clicker.
Clicker training is done in advance. The owner presses a button, then gives out a treat. It is important that animals develop a conditioned “click-treat” reflex. Then, based on the sound of the device, the pets themselves will look for the “yummy.”
The device can also be used in situations of conflicting cats. For example, if the animals are sitting peacefully next to each other - the clicker clicks, the animals show aggression - the clicker is not used.
A clicker is a simple device that, when you press a button, produces a clearly audible click.
Creating Vertical Space
Scientists have discovered one interesting detail. People live and interact with each other in a world of a horizontal plane. Cats, on the other hand, live in vertical space. Therefore, it is important to provide pets with multi-tiered houses and high scratching posts. This way you can create a happy life for your cat. By being located at the highest point, a cat can show how important a place it occupies in its team. If this is not possible, then it will prove its role with the help of claws and teeth.
It is psychologically important for a cat to lie on a hill, this is how it proves its superiority in the team.
How to make two adult cats friends?
- If your cats suddenly start fighting, the safest option is to separate them into separate rooms for 24 to 48 hours until they calm down.
- You should also keep them inside during this time so they don't meet or fight outside.
- Watch for any signs that your cats are frustrated at being kept indoors, such as meowing to be let out.
- Make sure your cats are kept apart from each other long enough for them to calm down, but not so long that they become upset and potentially more stressed.
Cats fight - how to separate them and reconcile them?
Conflicts among cats are sometimes a little tense, sometimes tooth and claw at work. Why do cats fight and can we reconcile them?
Fighting between cats is a natural behavior and the key to reconciling them is to understand why cats fight. The behavior of cats is very complex, you must be patient to understand them.
There are many solutions. You may have to try several of them before you find the right one—because, just like people, cats are different. There is more than one proven recipe for eliminating aggressive behavior in all cats.
Why are my cats fighting?
Have you just set up a new home for your cats? Do you have a cat that has just reached sexual maturity and has not yet been spayed/neutered? Has someone new appeared in the house, or have there been changes that threaten the current position of the cats? We will try to name the most common causes of quarrels among cats.
Hormones
Cats often engage in fighting, which most often begins when they reach social maturity, which is between 2 and 4 years of age. This type of aggression usually occurs when cats are fighting over cats, but it also occurs in fights over territory.
The first step to eliminating this form of aggression is to neuter all felines. If cats are already after treatment, it is worth using products with pheromones. This silences cats and helps reduce unwanted behavior. It's also worth remembering that immediately after neutering, hormones are still raging - it can take several weeks before cats go quiet.
New flavor
When you bring a new pet home, it brings its own scent, a new one, and to longtime residents, it can be a signal of “attention, intruder.” Some cats smell more intensely than others, and some also react more than others to new scents. The solution to this situation is to transfer odors from one cat to another. Dry one cat with a towel, then transfer the scent to another, change their beds so they can smell them, recognize them before they see each other. Do this every day for 2-3 weeks to minimize the stress of introducing a new scent. In this way, both old and new residents adapt.
Jealousy
The new cat almost always gets more attention than the others. Jealousy is more common in cats that have a strong bond with people - in breeds such as Siamese cats, but of course this is not the rule. Pay more attention to your cats, not just new ones, take them on your lap, pet them, show them your love. Don't focus all your attention on your new pet - this will be a sign to them that they still have a place in your heart.
Territory
Cats are territorial animals by nature—even when the territory extends no further than their own bed. When placing a new pet, it will have to determine its territory range, and the old cat residents will defend their territory. This leads to frequent fights. Therefore, think about whether, together with a new cat, it is advisable to install some new piece of furniture: a house, a box, something that will not belong to the resident residents, and will allow the new one to leave its scent there.
When all else fails, prison will help.
If the cats do not stop fighting despite our attempts to mitigate the conflict, it is time for temporary detention. This measure is extreme and, as they say, unpopular, but it can be an alternative to returning the cat. So you should try it.
Choose a large and spacious jail box, it can't be too small a place, a cat carrier is not suitable. The cage should include bowls, a bed, and there should also be free space. Place one cat's cage in one room and leave the other outside. Leave the cats together in the room. You can change the prisoner every day or every two days - cats, however, remain in the same room all the time. The prison must last at least a week.
When they stop hissing at each other, ignore them, allow them contact, sniffing, but do not leave them alone. Enjoy their good behavior, give treats for good behavior. When someone starts to provoke a fight, put him in the cage. Continue playing only when they are comfortable with each other. At the moment we can give them access to the entire apartment - when the cat starts to fight, he returns to the cage. Behavior is similar to play, but any aggression must have a negative experience. Within a month, the two cats should be able to live with each other fairly calmly.
The most important thing is peace, faith and trust
With your patience and understanding of your cats' behavior, you should be able to achieve harmony within a month or two - you can always use the help of experienced behaviorists. Remember, however, that not every behaviorist who has a graduate degree is an experienced one. Ask your cat-loving friends before you decide to call a professional - you'll save time, stress and money.
Cats vs dogs
The most common picture is a dog chasing a cat, and the cat runs away. In real life, cats themselves often begin to attack dogs. But, regardless of the situation, we are not talking about the same thing, and conflicts arise due to misunderstandings. If we consider all dogs, they can be divided into 2 types. The first category includes dogs that are distinguished by their sociability, who strive to make new acquaintances and are not averse to communicating with other animals, including cats that are not very sociable.
In this case, the pugnacity of the latter is caused not by aggression, but by a completely understandable desire to protect one’s own person from intrusive attention. Felines do not particularly like physical contact and try to explain this to dogs. At first they do it softly, as if brushing it off. But if the dog doesn’t understand, then they can release their claws.
The second category is dogs that have a pathological hatred of cats. Whatever this feeling causes, the meeting of such an animal with a cat often turns into a tragedy. Large dogs can not only injure a cat, but also cause fatal injuries to it.
If such hostility occurs in the house, then the issue should be resolved immediately. Either resettle the pets or seek help from a dog handler. A specialist will not teach a dog to love cats, but will make him ignore her.
