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Cats Fighting All Of A Sudden? 6 Possible Reasons Why

Occasionally, cats that have lived together peacefully might turn on each other and engage in fights. It can be puzzling and aggravating when household quiet is abruptly disturbed.

Fortunately, these conflicts are not spontaneous. There is something that sets them off, and identifying these triggers might help you overcome and prevent future conflicts.

The following article, "Cats Fighting All of a Sudden? 6 Possible Reasons Why" by BestForPets (bestforpets.org) shows some typical reasons why cats may abruptly begin to fight.

The 6 Common Reasons Cats Start Fighting All of a Sudden

1. Changes in the Environment

Changes in a cat’s surroundings might induce anxiety or stress. Uncertain and insecure cats might get more readily irritated and behave erratically.

If you observe that your cats are fighting, you should investigate any recent changes that might have sparked their irritation.

Environmental changes might include relocating to a new home or living with new roommates. Circumstantial changes can also occur, such as being left home alone for prolonged periods of time or taking a new medicine.

2. Cats Mature

The bond between cats might change as they age and expand. For instance, a kitten may get along with an adult cat, but after it reaches maturity, its attitude toward the elder cat may alter.

Adult cats have a tendency to be more territorial than kittens, so if they don’t have enough room, they may begin to fight. Additionally, as cats age, they may become less tolerant with other cats and behave out.

3. Insecure Territories

Cats require their own territory. They may end up fighting over certain locations in the home if they become too possessive of their preferred spots.

If you believe that your home is too small for two cats, you may expand the amount of territorial spaces by adding more cat trees, hammocks, and perches. These objects can provide healthy spacing and limits between cats, making it less likely for them to encounter one other and fight.

Additionally, it might be beneficial to separate your cats at mealtimes so that they can eat in peace without fear of having their food stolen. Sometimes, adding more litter boxes benefits cats by providing them with extra area to defecate without being soiled.

4. Boredom

Cats can exhibit several damaging and undesirable behaviors when they are bored. Therefore, it is essential to give ample exercise and enrichment activities to keep your cat active and stimulated.

Cats who are bored frequently have pent-up energy and may act more aggressively as a result. They may also attempt to persuade and harass other cats into playing with them, which can lead to agitation and conflict.

5. Health Issues

If your cat has pain or discomfort as a result of an underlying health condition, it may become more aggressive or easily irritated. Even hormonal fluctuations can make cats more irritable and uncomfortable.

Behavioral changes might indicate interior health concerns. Therefore, it is not harmful to take your cat to the veterinarian to see if a physical cause is influencing your cat’s behavior.

6. Playtime Gone Wrong

Playtime can occasionally go wrong amongst cats that normally get along. One cat may have behaved very aggressively and crossed a line, resulting in a fight.

These exchanges are typical and frequently resolve themselves. Occasionally, cats must express themselves and establish their own limits on their own.

However, if the fights get more intense and more regular, it is necessary to interfere to maintain order.

 

How To Safely Break Up a Cat Fight

There are circumstances in which cats must be separated for safety reasons. The most effective strategy to prevent a conflict is to act before it occurs.

When cats are getting ready to fight, they may exhibit the following symptoms of aggression:

  • The tail whips back and forth.
  • Ears upright and slightly pointing forward
  • Restrictive pupils
  • The body is in a pouncing stance.
  • Directly confronting the opposition
  • Howling or yowling
  • Out are the teeth and claws

If you observe any of these indicators of aggression in cats, take immediate action and attempt to distract them. Clapping your hands or shaking a container loaded with coins may produce a loud noise.

Spraying cats with water from a plastic spray bottle might lead them to attempt to flee the area. If the cats are fighting, you might need to use additional water to separate them.

Because it can be dangerous, the last thing you want to do is reach in and separate the cats on your own. Additionally, avoid hitting or chasing any of the cats, since this will gradually erode their confidence in you.

If the fights grow more regular, you should take your cats to the veterinarian for an examination to rule out any medical issues that might be causing the aggressive behavior.

You can also work with a cat behaviorist to establish a peaceful living environment for you and your cats.

Conclusion

Occasionally, two cats will engage in a fight. There is frequently a new cause for these fights, such as environmental changes or an underlying physical problem. There are several animal specialists that can assist you in determining the causes of these battles.

We hope that “Cats Fighting All of a Sudden? 6 Possible Reasons Why” by BestForPets (bestforpets.org) can assist you in determining the reasons of cat fights so you can do your best to prevent future conflicts.

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Dr. Deborah Fletcher

Deborah R. Fletcher, DVM, is a skilled veterinarian with more than 15 years of experience dealing with companion and exotic animals. She has experience caring for a variety of animals, including household cats and dogs, reptiles, birds of prey, and even primates. Dr. Fletcher is a valuable part of the BestForPets team, where she contributes to their aim of providing pets and their owners with the finest possible treatment and services.

Veterinarian (DVM) Dr. Deborah Fletcher

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