If you have two or more cats that are constantly bickering, it can be stressful for all of you.
Cats are territorial. It’s part of their nature. Conflict may arise for all sorts of reasons such as competition for food or treats, rearranging the furniture, putting their litter box in a different spot, or even personality conflicts. So, how do we deal with this nonsense?
Try To Identify the Cause
Understanding why your cats are fighting is the first step. These may be some triggers:
- Territorial disputes: Cats can be possessive of spaces or favorite spots.
- Resource competition: Fighting over snacks and food, who gets the litter box first, or whose toy is whose.
- Are your kitties in good health? If one cat isn’t feeling well, they might lash out at the other as if to say “Dude! Lay off! I’m not feeling 100% today!”
You Can Try The Separation Technique
When a fight breaks out, PLEASE don’t put yourself at risk. Make a loud noise – like clapping your hands as loud as you can or even shaking a bottle or jar of something that rattles to distract them. Once you get their attention, grab one of those wee beasties and put them in “time-out” in another room or space for a while.
Slowly Reintroduce Them
If this is an ongoing thing, reintroduce them slowly – as if they were meeting one another for the first time.
- Sniff it out: let them smell something from the other – bedding, toys – something that one or the other has their DNA all over it. Let them get used to it slowly.
- You may want to consider a sort of controlled meeting: use some type of screening or a high enough barrier between them so they can’t jump over it. This way they can smell and see each other, but not interact directly. You may have to totally block them for a bit, so a gradual increase is a good idea.
Separate The HECK Out Of Things
Provide multiple food bowls, litter boxes, and cozy spots for your felines who can’t agree. This may minimize competition. Let them know they don’t have to fight for attention or resources. This can greatly reduce tension.
You Really Need To Give Them Equal Attention
Cats most definitely have feelings cat parents! Some cats just go off by themselves if they feel left out. Others, such as the type we’re speaking about in this article, revert to getting physical with lots of hissing and growling going on. Maybe they’re jealous. Make sure to give each precious little ones plenty of equal individual attention, playtime, and affection!
You Can Always Try A Calming Aid
There are several on the market today, from plug-ins, to chews, to sprays – feline pheromone diffusers, like Feliway or Comfort Zone, can help create a more relaxed atmosphere. These mimic natural cat pheromones that reduce stress.
How About A Cat Shrink?
If disagreements continue despite the best efforts of mice and men, you may need to first, consult your Vet to rule out anything physical, then check around for some professional “Cat Whisperers” or cat behaviorist (yes, I guess they’re really available). It’s not the least expensive option, but depending on how important Fluff Ball and Demon Cat are to you, you may want to consider it.
And So It Goes…
Your babies fighting all the time can definitely be challenging, but with a little patience and understanding, peace can indeed reign in your kingdom. You really need to pay attention to their signals, provide them with all the (as equal as possible) love, affection, food, treats, toys and litter boxes they need.
After all, wouldn’t you do the same for your human children?
Ciao,
Disclaimer: The information and opinions herein are based on personal research. My Blog posts are intended for informational purposes only. I am not a Licensed Veterinarian nor am I any sort of medical professional. I am merely a human who takes caring for my pets seriously. My goal is to share my research with other like-minded individuals with the hope that it will help others in some small (or perhaps large) way.
