Why is my cat show aggression towards my other cats? or What makes my cat hostile towards my other cats? Fighting among cats that share a home is an issue that, despite the fact that it can be sad and irritating, is frequently preventable and treatable with the aid of a cat behaviorist and veterinarian. Aggression in cats can happen for a number of reasons, as cat behavior is complicated.
Types of Aggressive Behavior That Cat Frequently Display
1 - Territorial Aggression
Cats are naturally aggressive and possessive. When a cat perceives a threat to his territory or survival, territorial aggression results. Your cat might consider your entire neighborhood to be his domain, depending on where he spends his time. In this kind of violence, the intruder is pursued and ambushed in addition to hissing and slapping when contact is made. If a new cat is introduced into a home, when a kitten reaches adulthood, or when a cat interacts with other cats in the neighborhood outside, territorial issues frequently arise. It's not unusual for a cat to be nice and tolerant to one cat in the family while acting aggressively and territorially towards another.
2 - Intermale Violence
Adult male cats that are still intact often threaten and engage in combat with other males. These actions may be used to challenge a female sexually. Aggression of this kind is characterized by ritualized body posture, stalking, glaring, yowling, and howling. Usually, attacks are stopped if one cat sluggishly backs down" and leaves. In the event of an attack, the perpetrator will typically charge forward and bite the victim.
3 - Defence-Induced Violence
When a cat believes he cannot escape an attack, he will take defensive action to try to protect himself. This may happen as a result of a person's punishment or fear of punishment, a cat attack or attempted attack, or any other time he feels frightened or afraid. Lying with the legs tucked under the body, putting the ears back, curling the tail, or even rolling just a little to one side are all examples of defensive positions. If you approach the cat when it is in this position, it will probably bite you.
4 - Redirected Violence
This kind of aggressiveness is aimed at a different animal that wasn't the one who initially started the behavior. An indoor cat sitting in a window, for instance, might see or feel frightened by an outside cat. He could turn and attack another family cat that is seated next to him at a window if he is unable to respond appropriately to the outdoor cat. Redirected hostility can happen up to 24 hours following the initial observation or confrontation with the outside cat. It can be both hostile and defensive in character.
Avoid cat conflict with these tips:
1: You should always call a vet for a complete health examination if your cat's behavior changes abruptly. Cats frequently conceal disease symptoms until they are gravely ill. Any change in behavior could be a sign of a medical issue. If your home has any intact pets, spay or neuter them. All of the animals in your household may exhibit behaviors that differ from one another.
2: Avert future altercations. This may require keeping the cats completely apart while you work on the issue, or at the very least avoiding interaction between them in circumstances that could result in a fight.
3: Reverse the gentle introduction method and start afresh. To successfully apply these strategies, you might need the assistance of a qualified animal behaviorist. When you first introduce cats to one another, there are times when one of them may convey "play" signs that the other cat can mistake for aggressiveness. Make certain to give the cats plenty of chances to play. Reputable businesses are marketing goods to assist cats in reducing their stress. Please be aware that all of these goods are guaranteed cures and that they must be used in combination with methods for changing behavior.
4: For further details, please refer to the handout "Stress Ease for Your Pet". If the situation warrants it, talk to your vet about treating the cats when you're working on a behavior modification programme together. The only person authorized and qualified to write a prescription for any medicine for your cats is your veterinarian. Without first consulting your veterinarian, avoid attempting to provide any over-the-counter or prescription medication to your cat. Drugs don't affect animals the same way they do humans; thus, an item that could be safe for people could be lethal for an animal. Remember that taking medication isn't a permanent fix and should only be done in conjunction with changing one's behavior.
Note: What to avoid?
1: Don't let your cats fight if they are already fighting. The issue is expected to get worse the more frequently cats fight. Create a loud noise and cover the cats with a blanket to break up an ongoing battle. Do not attempt to separate them.
2: Do not penalize the involved cats. Punishment will probably only lead to more aggressive and frightened reactions, which will only exacerbate the issue. If you try to punish someone, you might become the focus of defensive and misdirected aggression.
3: As the adversary collapses to get on his back, the attacker tries to bite and claw the victim's tummy with his rear legs.
4: The cats can bounce around biting and yowling, stop abruptly, pick up their posture again, fight once more, or simply go away. Cats rarely cause serious harm to one another in this way, yet one should always look for puncture wounds that could become infected.
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