Dealing with Frequent Cat Fights: Effective Solutions!

Understanding and Addressing Feline Aggression: A Guide

1. Spaying and Neutering: A crucial step is to have all cats undergo spaying or neutering. This not only helps in controlling the pet population but also reduces the likelihood of aggressive behavior.

2. Nail Care: Keep your cat's claws trimmed short to minimize the risk of injury during play or disputes.

3. Daily Interaction: Dedicate 10 to 15 minutes each day for interactive play. Utilize toys like laser pointers, feather wands, or string toys to engage your cat in aerobic activities, which can help alleviate stress and release energy.

4. Bells for Identification: Attach bells to each cat's collar so you can easily locate them. Ensure the bells are loud and have distinct tones to differentiate between them. This also helps the cats become aware of each other's presence, reducing the chances of surprise attacks.

5. Familiarizing with Scent: Regularly wipe each cat with a towel that has been used on the other, helping them get accustomed to each other's scents.

6. Facial Pheromone Therapy: Consider using facial pheromone treatments, which are believed to have a calming effect. A product called Feliway, containing facial pheromones, is available and can be used to deter cats from spraying urine. While Feliway is not suitable for direct application on cats (as it contains alcohol), you can spray a small amount on a cloth or tissue, let it dry, and then rub it on your cat. Alternatively, gently wipe the triangular area between a cat's eyes and ears with a tissue and then place the tissue on another cat.

7. Handling Cat Fights: If your cats start fighting, avoid reaching in between them as you might get injured. Instead, use a blanket, broom, or any handy object to separate them. You can also create a loud noise by throwing a pot or a book to startle them. After an aggressive incident, cats can be highly agitated, so isolating them is best until they calm down. This might involve placing the aggressive cat in a less favored area for up to 12 hours before reintroducing them.

Desensitization and Counterconditioning

A systematic desensitization and counterconditioning program can be effective in resolving disputes between cats. Desensitization involves gradually exposing the cat to what it fears or is uncertain about. When the cat is in the presence of its "enemy," counterconditioning rewards it with something it desires, such as food or attention. Over time, these techniques combine to make previously stressful experiences pleasant and beneficial.

Patience is key. Desensitization can take several months and requires considerable perseverance. Throughout the process, cat owners must be prepared to return to earlier stages if signs of aggression reappear.

During the reintroduction phase, neither cat should display anxiety or aggression. If they do, step back to a comfortable distance for both. Look for signs of anxiety in the victim, such as leaving food uneaten, avoiding eye contact, hiding, or trembling. Warning signs of an impending attack may include wide eyes, tail wagging, flattened ears, growling, hissing, and a rigid body posture. If you observe aggressive behavior, remove the offender to another room.

In addition, reward cats that ignore each other. If a feisty cat looks away, it should be immediately rewarded. If the cat being attacked makes direct eye contact with the attacker, reward this behavior. Avoid rewarding any cat that shows signs of fear or aggression with food or praise; instead, focus on rewarding positive interactions.