Why do cats fight?

If you’re a cat lover, you’ll know just how gentle and affectionate these cute creatures can be – most of the time! But like any animal, cats can get angry or aggressive, especially when they feel their territory might be under threat.

If you’ve ever seen or heard a cat fight, you’ll know just how upsetting it can be.

All that hissing and wailing is enough to make anyone run a mile! But what exactly makes cats start fighting in the first place? What should you do if you see cats fighting? And what happens if they turn their aggression on you?

Cat fights are simply a part of life with our furry friends and something that all cat parents will experience at some point during their ownership.

While you can’t stop every fight, you can make sure your puss gets the best possible treatment if it suffers any injuries through your cat insurance.

At Purely Pets, we can offer cover that will protect your favourite feline throughout its entire life, with cover for vets’ fees up to £15,000.

So let’s find out a little more about why cats fight and what you can do, as a responsible pet owner, to curb that aggressive behaviour.

Why do cats fight?

Protecting their territory

Unlike our doggy companions, cats are solitary animals. They don’t naturally live in packs so when another cat comes wandering into its territory, it’s automatically on high alert.

Cats mark out their territory by scent marking, which is usually a pretty good indicator to other cats to stay away. But when more adventurous felines wander in, there might be a standoff!

Who is this intruder and why are they on my patch? Cats will mark the areas in which they feel safe, which usually includes your home and garden but can extend further, especially for unneutered pets that tend to roam further afield.

Same-sex aggression

Same-sex cats that are still ‘intact’ are most likely to get into fights, especially around mating season.

Spaying or neutering before their first birthday is one of the best ways to stop aggressive tendencies from developing when they’re older.

It also helps to prevent other health issues such as urine infections, cancer and prostate problems.

Read our blog on does pet insurance cover spaying for more information about this procedure.

Change of pecking order

This is definitely something to consider if you’re thinking about introducing another cat to your household. When a new kitty comes into, or leaves, the cat’s social group, they may fight to re-establish a new pecking order.

You may see older cats getting frustrated with younger kittens too, which may lead to aggression or fights as they reaffirm who’s in charge.

A new routine

Cats are creatures of habit and any big changes in their routine could have a negative effect on their behaviour. Something as seemingly insignificant as moving their food bowls or rearranging litter boxes could cause fights.

Pain

If your cat is usually docile but has suddenly become very aggressive towards you, it could be that they are in pain.

Perhaps they’re suffering from an underlying health condition that is causing discomfort and their aggression is their way of telling you not to touch! Take them to the vets for a check-up just to make sure everything’s OK.

Maternal aggression

If your cat has just given birth she will be very protective of her new kittens, just like any new mum. She may hiss, chase or try to bite other cats that come close, but this should subside after the kittens have been weaned.

What are the signs that a cat has been in a fight?

Some owners may be worried that they won’t notice their cat has been in a fight. You should be inspecting your cat regularly anyway, just to check their overall health, but specific signs that they might have been involved in an altercation include:

• Bleeding or dried blood on their fur

• Limping or unstable on their feet

• Lethargy

• Lumps, bumps, swelling or pus

• Puncture wounds (usually found in pairs)

• Flinching when touched

Any obvious injuries should be treated immediately.

If you’re not sure if you need to go to the vet, call the Purely Pets 24 Hour Vet Helpline, where you can get advice on the best course of action.

Infections caused through fighting can become serious if they’re not treated promptly, sometimes affecting bones and joints as well, so don’t take a chance.

Seek professional advice as soon as possible.

Should you try to stop cats fighting?

As the PDSA explains, there are several things you can do to prevent your puss getting into a fight in the first place.

They suggest letting them go outside when they want to. Let them dictate the time by having a cat flap that they can use as and when they please.

This will help them to avoid bumping into other problem cats in the neighbourhood and roam around without fear. Think about investing in a cat flap that only recognizes your own cat’s microchip.

That way, strange cats won’t be able to get into your house while you’re not around.

They also remind owners that gardens should be secure – ideally with a high fence that has a 45-degree angle on top to stop other cats from entering your garden so easily.

If the worst happens and you actually see your cat in a fight, don’t panic.

The first thing to do is to move children or any other animals away from the situation.

Don’t be tempted to intervene – you’ll only end up getting scratched or injured yourself.

While you should never attempt to hit the animals in any way, you could try squirting them with water.

Cats will usually run away from the spray of a hose or watering can, which may help break up the fight.

Another way to stop a cat fight is through distraction. A loud bang, shout or clapping of hands should do the trick in the majority of cases.

Don’t try to console or cuddle your cat immediately after the fight as they may still be defensive and could hurt you by mistake.

If you have to move the cat for their own safety – perhaps they’re injured and lying in a road – carry them in a thick blanket and call the vet immediately.