Households
with multiple feline family members enjoy more kitten cuddles, love, and
companionship, but having more than one cat often leads to kitty quarrels. Cats
are social creatures, but getting into fights isn’t unusual. Even cats who’ve
lived in the same shared space for long periods of time can end up duking it
out.
Sharp claws
and teeth mean all cat fights are dangerous. Putting a stop to the aggressive
behavior is in everyone’s best interest. But before you can make peace, you
need to know what’s causing the fights. Here are a few possibilities.
1-Lack of
Socialization
Socialization
isn’t only for people and puppies: it’s also important for cats. Kittens that
grow up with few opportunities to connect with other cats will struggle to make
feline friends in their adult years.
A kitten’s
prime window for socialization is between 2 and 14 weeks old. They learn new
things every day during this time period, and it’s also when they start
developing personalities.
Kittens who
miss out on socialization with other cats when they’re young won’t be used to
sharing close quarters when they’re older.
2-Territorial Instincts
Some cats
are happy to share their homes with people and other animals, but for others,
being territorial is in their nature. Your cat views both you and your home as
their territory. Protecting what they see as theirs is an instinct they can’t
always control. Families that introduce a new cat into what used to be a
one-cat household are sometimes disappointed when the original kitty isn’t keen
on sharing their space.
Sometimes
the competition starts right away, but territorial instincts might not present
themselves until several months or even years after the two cats are
introduced. Most cats don’t become territorial until they’re fully mature. This
usually happens between two and five years old. It could explain why two cats
who used to get along are suddenly starting to fight.
3-Overstimulation and Fear
If the
household is particularly noisy or excited, the cats will pick up on that
energy. The overwhelming stimulation will cause them to behave unusually.
They’re already on edge because of what’s happening in the house, and the
appearance of a kitty housemate could push them past excited and into
aggressive.
Cats (and
people, too) don’t make the best decisions when they’re mad, sad, scared, or
excited. They let their emotions get the best of them, and they tend to lash
out at whoever is closest—even if it’s their long-time feline friend.
4- Medical Conditions
People are
irritable when they don’t feel well, and cats are the same way. A sudden change
in a cat’s personality could be a sign of a serious medical condition.
According
to PetMd, arthritis, dental disease, and traumatic injuries are possible
reasons why a cat starts acting aggressively. They could be lashing out in
order to keep people and other pets from touching them and causing more pain.
Older cats
might also turn to aggression if they gradually start losing their eyesight or
hearing. Cognitive decline and a neurological problem could also be to blame.
If your cat who used to be gentle and loving toward their kitty housemates
suddenly starts bringing out the claws on a regular basis, talk to your vet
about possible medical explanations.
Once you uncover
the root of the problem, you’ll be able to come up with a plan to restore the
harmony in your household. Mending fences between two quarreling cats will
always take time and consistency. With the right strategy, however, the effort
might save your sanity and keep your house at peace.
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