Hissing Tips on How to Stop Cats From Fighting

Lisa Selvaggio
by Lisa Selvaggio
Why can’t we all just get along? If your kitties don’t see eye to eye, do you know what to do to stop cats from fighting? Try these harmonious tips for a peaceful household.


If your cats aren’t getting along, it can be extremely stressful for you, as well as for them. The last thing that you want is for your feline family to constantly fight and hurt one another, but there are steps you can take that will help you harness control over the situation and teach your kitties to get along – or stop cats from fighting and at least tolerate each other in the same space.


Reasons Why Cats May Not Get Along


Just like people, cats sometimes don’t like one another, and there are quite a few reasons why this might happen.


Related: Top 8 Kid-Friendly Cat Breeds


Most of the time, under-socialization is to blame. This basically means that a kitten didn’t get enough fun, safe interaction with other cats and kittens. So, for example, if you adopted your feline friend when he was a kitten and he grew up as an “only child,” he likely won’t be thrilled when you introduce a new cat to the family. Negative behaviors can occur as a result of being uncomfortable with the change in his routine (cats are creatures of habit, after all), or he may simply lack the social skills necessary for felines to get along with each other.


Another problem is territory. Introducing a new cat into a home where another kitty had already established his territory could make your resident feline angry and upset.


And yet another cause for feline fights could be clashes in personalities. Some kitties may not like each other because they have opposite personalities. An older cat may not be happy with a young rambunctious kitten bothering him to play.


But even cats that previously got along fine may end up unhappy with one another. This can occur if one cat associates an unpleasant or frightening experience with the other cat. Or it could simply be the result of attitudes changing as cats mature.


Expected Forms of Aggression


There are a couple of instances in which aggression between cats should actually be expected. For example, a mother cat may be aggressive towards another feline if she’s protecting her kittens. This aggression should go away once her babies are weaned, especially if she was typically a friendly kitty prior to having her litter.


Related: Why Do Cats Purr?


Playful aggression can also be expected, especially amongst kittens and youngsters. As they learn and grow, cats will play in a manner that mimics a hunt, so they’ll often sneak up on each other, stalk and chase each other, and even kick, swat, pounce, bite, and scratch each other. If they’re playing, you’ll probably notice that they switch roles when it comes to pretending to be the predator and the prey.


Stop Cats from Fighting


To help your cats get along, try to pinpoint the cause of the conflicts by paying attention to when your cats fight. Doing so will help you come up with the best solutions to remedy the problem.


You can also take the following steps:


  • Because felines don’t resolve problems by fighting, interrupt them when they’re going after each other by clapping your hands, spraying them with water, or scolding them verbally.
  • Have all of your cats spayed/neutered.
  • To reduce the amount of competition they might feel towards each other, give each cat his own food and water bowls, beds, toys, litter boxes, etc. These can even be located in different areas of your home to give your kitties much-needed space. Provide additional hiding places and perches as well.
  • You may have to put your cats in separate rooms until they get used to each other’s scent again if they used to get along but don’t anymore. The same could hold true, but for a longer period of time, if your cats are highly aggressive towards each other. Follow the same steps you would practice when introducing a new cat to your feline family.
  • Allow aggressive cats time to calm down. Reward desirable behavior with treats and praise, especially when your cats are getting along.
  • To reduce tension, feline pheromone products may help.
  • Give each cat equal amounts of attention so you don’t neglect one for the other. If one cat has a lot of energy that he takes out on the other cat, though, give him some extra playtime to redirect that energy in a positive way.


When in Doubt, Ask Your Vet


If you can’t stop cats from fighting, you can ask your vet or a feline behaviorist for advice. Also, be aware that you should consult your vet if you notice any sudden behavioral or physical changes in a kitty, as these might be symptoms of an underlying condition that needs to be treated.

Lisa Selvaggio
Lisa Selvaggio

Lisa Selvaggio is a freelance writer and editor, and our resident cats-pert, with certifications in pet nutrition and pet first aid. She enjoys producing content that helps people understand animals better so they can give their pets a safe and happy home.

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