In multiple cat households, cats may
fight if resources are limited. Resources include food,
water, scratching posts, beds,
litterboxes and human attention. Therefore, up the resources
to lower the aggression
Cats often fight among themselves for a variety of other
reasons such as fighting over territory or a female in heat.
In some cases, the cats will never get along, and must be
permanently separated. In most cases it is recommended to keep cats
separated in the home rather than putting one cat outdoors. If your cats are
not getting along consider a Pet Behavior Analysis with Dr. Tripp
Here are a few simple guidelines to keep the
tension down, and the positive social interactions up.
Why
do cats become aggressive?
Aggression
can also be triggered by physical illness or discomfort.
Rule out this cause of aggression by taking
your cat to your regular veterinarian for a thorough
physical examination and diagnostic tests.
Types of feline
aggression: fear, territorial, parental, play,
redirected, predatory, petting-induced, pain-induced, social
status, medical, learned.
Situational aggression: Sometimes,
aggression is situational. In other words, certain circumstances
trigger the cat's aggression.
The
aggression can be specific to one
family member, strangers, other pets in the household, or
to strange pets.
Keeping a behavioral diary helps identify these circumstantial
triggers.
Cats often fight to defend or establish territory. After
a serious cat fight,
separate the cats.
Learn the proper steps to re-introduce them using positive
reinforcement for calm, friendly behaviors.
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What to do
Once medical
causes are ruled out, the next
step is to complete a pet
behavioral history analysis by a
veterinary behavior consultant
to
determine the probable causes of
the aggression and the
prognosis for
improvement if going forward
with effective
treatment and behavior modification.
Cats often display more than one type
of aggression. Treatment usually includes behavior modification
and changes to the cat's environment.
Behavior medicine therapy may also be
helpful for some forms of aggression.