Why Are My Cats Combating?

Redirected aggression. Redirected aggression can happen when your cat has been spooked by one other animal, particular person, or occasion and is unable to direct his aggression in direction of that stimulus (if, for instance, he doesn’t just like the look of one thing outdoors the window, past his attain). Your cat doesn’t perceive what to do with the aggression he feels, so he might take it out on his kitty housemate.

Non-recognition aggression. Cats rely closely on their sense of odor, and if their feline roommate smells off—like an unfamiliar cat, particular person, or place—they could suppose “intruder!” and react aggressively.

Territorial aggression. Introducing a brand new cat to the family might be enjoyable, however your resident kitty (or kitties) may not be as thrilled as you’re. Territorial aggression can happen with the addition of one other cat, or when resident cats attain social maturity at one to 2 years of age.

Internal-cat aggression. It is a hormonal-induced aggression commonest in unneutered males, and fewer generally, unspayed females.

Standing-induced aggression. In keeping with Cornell College, “cats might sometimes present indicators of aggression towards folks or different pets once they wish to set up social dominance. Cats that block doorways with their our bodies or swat at different cats as they go could also be demonstrating this kind of conduct.” In different phrases, your cat is throwing his weight round.

Play aggression. This text by Cornell College states that cats raised with out littermates or that lack different socialization expertise might develop play aggression. “Cats which can be about to have interaction in play aggression will typically thrash their tails backwards and forwards, have their ears pinned to the tip of their head, and have dilated pupils. They might stalk their goal, whether or not animal or human, and can typically pounce from a hiding place because the goal passes by,” researchers write.