How to Stop Cats From Fighting

The usual cause of conflict is competition for resources.

Cats don’t like to share: Food bowl, water bowl, litter, scratching post… So give each cat their own food bowl, water bowl, litter box, etc. Put them in separate areas to avoid tension caused by competition (to separate, you can put bowls on different levels: one on the floor and one on a higher spot).

Another potential cause of tension is rapid introduction of a new cat. Cats need time to adjust to new friend.

When there is tension between your cats, it will not resolve with time.

Cats do not reconcile after conflict. Instead, tension remains permanent with signs more subtle like blocking, staring…

Using FELIWAY Classic will help your cats live together in harmony. Use several diffusers if cats use different rooms.

How to Stop Cats From Fighting

It can be difficult when cats don’t get along, but it’s important to know how to stop cats from fighting to prevent injury, poor pet relationships and to stop cats from being stressed.

In the short term, there are many ways to stop cat fighting as it’s happening. Distracting your pets with a toy - or if that doesn’t work, with a loud noise such as a clap - is a good way to ease tension. Be careful if you choose to step in and separate fighting cats. Never be aggressive towards your pets - and never use a technique that will make your cat more stressed or scared than they are already.

Of course, cat conflict is a complex issue, and there are many reasons that cats may be fighting. Solving the issue long term involves more than simply breaking up a fight; it’s key to address the contributing factors behind why cats are in conflict in the first place. For example; are disagreements between two particular cats? Or are fights occurring in a particular location (inside or outside), or over a certain resource? Once you have addressed the cause, you can work with your cat to encourage positive pet relationships, and stop cat fighting long term.

Why Your Furballs Are Fighting And What To Do About It

They may be peaceful on their own, but sometimes cats find it difficult to become friends with each other. There is a great number of reasons why cats fight. Fortunately, there are also tips to help your furballs get along.

Cats that are relaxed and calm in their environment are more likely to accept the introduction of another cat in their territory. These creatures of habit are much more capable of coping with the different changes in their routine if they feel confident on their territory. A new cat can be seen as a threat for resources.

Therefore, the key to cats relationships is often in our own hands. It is often about making the house a spacious cat-friendly place where cats have freedom of movement - and retreat. Whatever the place, cats need time to adapt. As time brings confidence, relaxation and also better knowledge of the surroundings, cats become more relaxed. Especially for newly adopted cats. Careful however, as it is fundamental to take small steps in the process of making cats fur-pals. Cats decide whether they are ready or not to live together, there is no need to rush.

To solve cats conflict, time and atmosphere are key. 

Is There A Neighbourhood Spat?

Hiss and claws out, cats often fight to protect their domain. To avoid any cat is injured, it is important to try and stop cat fighting with neighbour’s cats. Most of the time, a human presence is enough to stop conflicts, making every cat go back home and stop their attempt to annex another territory. If your cat is involved in such fights, make sure they do not lack of anything, and that you provided everything necessary to their comfort.

Also, do not expect the situation to solve itself. Cats need you to help them to make peace with each other.

Our modern way of life does not always match our cats'. Unless there are no cats around your house, they may have a large territory. However, it is not always the case, and your cat may encounter territory situations with other cats in the neighbourhood. Fortunately, all cats are different, even though some are more eager to protect their domain than others. 

Are Your Kitties Friends or Fierce Foes?

First be sure to recognize your cats’ language. Fighting and playing can look sometimes very similar!

Take the test to see if you can tell the difference between fighting and being friends:

ARE YOUR CATS BEST FRIENDS

If your cats are just playing, they should be silent, with gentle biting, retracted claws, and chasing both ways.

So if you see your cats biting seriously, fighting with claws, if you hear screams, or if chasing is only one way, they are not best friends!  

It can be tricky to understand cats. Are your cats playing or fighting? Did you know they do not only communicate with their voice, but also with their body? Cats body language is a crucial part of cats language, and being able to decipher cats language can be tremendously useful when it comes to understanding how cats react to challenging situations such as meeting with other cats.

Cats do not always become friends, and it is not delighting to watch them fight. It takes a bit of learning to become able to tell if cats are being friendly to one another or if things are not running too smoothly. Their ears, eyes, paws, tail and posture tell a lot about how they feel and about what they might say to each other.

If your cats are not friends, you must intervene since things will not improve over time without your help. Cats are unable to solve issues among them. It is especially important to understand if catsdo not get along when a kitten in introduced into the household.

It will take some time, but it is possible to make cat foes friends again.

Foster Friendship Between Your Furbabies

Despite their will to defend their territory, cats can be friends. 

Various factors are involved in the process of introducing cats. For instance, you may be introducing a kitten to an older cat. However, even with multiple factors, there is one certainty: cats need time to get along together, and it even starts before the arrival of the new cat. Everything must be ready for your new cat. Resources and space are important to cats, and things they fight for. There is no need to add more stress to the situation.

Take small steps, do not rush and follow your cats pace. Otherwise, it is bound to fail. The first meeting must occur when the new cat is settled and both cats relaxed in their own space. Prepare the rewards and pay attention to your cats body language without being to close. You will want to prevent disputes, but in the meantime, your cats must not feel that they are cornered, but that they are always given a way to escape. 

Creating a cat friendly environment can help cats feel comfortable and ease their introduction.