If your cat gets a clean bill of health, consult your vet or an animal behavior specialist for help. When you’re pretty positive that it’s just innocent playtime, make sure that you take a second to watch them interact. A cat may also kick with her hind legs when playing with a large toy or stuffed animal. If one does back down and walk away, the aggressor, having made his point, will usually walk away as well. Even though we don’t know why they’re fighting, there are ways to tell if this is a full-fledged fight versus a play fight. Once you understand why they are hissing at each other, or why one of them is, it can be quite easy to solve however – so don’t panic. Many people adopt a second cat thinking that the resident cat will be appreciate the companionship. Product data was last updated on 2021-01-19. At times, the two cats lie together on the bed and take naps. I love the title of this article! If one does back down and walk away, the aggressor, having made his point, will usually walk away as well. With this slap, the claws are retracted and their ears are forward. Your older cat may hiss and swat at the kitten when the newcomer does something unfavorable. Hi, I found a foster for a homeless cat. The Humane Society of the United States is registered as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Although cat aggression is sometimes taken less seriously than dog aggressionperhaps because cats are smaller and dont pursue people to bite themaggressive cats can be formidable. Message and data rates may apply. This is a type of social play that the cat usually does to other cat … A fight between cats doesn’t always indicate bad blood between them. We do our best to create a comfortable environment for our fur babies. The cat that’s getting worked up starts hissing at my other cat but after she realizes that he’s a friend and not a foe she ignores him. i love cats! should help, but other than that, just let them work it out. If their slapping is playful, then have no fear. Terms of Service apply. This keeps him, or her, from becoming more aggressive at that time. I'm a publisher and editor at Cat Checkup. You may feel a little embarrassed when you bring a friend home and your cat immediately swats at them. Better Business Bureau Accredited Charity. Sign up to receive our exclusive e-book full of training techniques, problem-solving and important information about caring for your pet. If your friends have dangling jewelry, long ponytails, or anything that looks shiny, you might consider warning them that your cat may look to play with them. It’s hard to say why cats decide to have these altercations. Cats may even have a unique way of playing with each other. If one cat is abusing the other, contact your vet. This can also happen if you bring a new cat into the home. Don’t be surprised if he slaps you in an effort to break free. I just got a 7 week old kitten and my older cat doesnt like it. If you have the idea that their play is too aggressive, do your best to keep them separated as often as possible. The HSUS's tax identification number is 53-0225390. They gets very agitated because that cat is in his territory. But it's usually possible to negotiate a truce, even if your cats don't become best friends. Fear can, in turn, cause fights between your cat, or even cause your cat to attack you. I am very worried this will prevent the cat from being rescued. This can also apply to the cat slapping objects. When I watch them play with each other, it can go from gentle to rough in the blink of an eye. Some toy manufacturers make “kick bag” toys for cats whose playtime routine typically involves the bunny kick. They may fight over a female, for a higher place in the pecking order, or to defend territory. It turns out that there is a lot more than meets the eye. Make sure to avoid swatting at your cat to stop their dominant behavior. Many people view dogs as the only playful house pet, but this is far from the truth. A threatened cat is easily agitated and ready to fight. Jake is just crazy, he is a sweet cat, but sometimes he acts like he is having PMS. Cats can sometimes direct aggression toward another animal, or even a person, who didn't initially provoke the behavior. While at times the cat is very loving and affectionate, at other times she is aggressive, growling and swatting you if you try and touch her. Total Cat Mojo: The Ultimate Guide to Life with Your Cat. If no one backs down, cats may actually fight. If you watch your cats closely, you may notice that one expects a little more respect than the other. That depends. The younger cat does like to wait behind doors and then jump out, pounce on and chase the older cat. It will likely be terrified, especially if there is a size discrepancy between the animals. Never medicate your cat on your own. This cat may end up making life miserable for others. Unfortunately, there's no training method that can guarantee that they ever will. It means that something else triggered your cat, but since you’re the closest person, they redirected the aggression to you. This applies to other cats as much as it applies to their owners. Make sure your cats have plenty of toys and don’t worry too much that they are trying to aggressively fight the other cats. Cats are very territorial creatures and can fiercely defend their turf. Female cats can be just as territorial as males. They have five potential weapons (their teeth and all four clawed paws) compared to a dogs sole weapon of his or her m… However, if this is a new behavior, go to the vet and have him checked. If possible, have a reserve litter box if you’re cleaning the current one your cat is using. Your older cat will put the young one in it's place if he/she becomes too annoying. The classic cat “boop” is when a cat softly swats the other kitty’s head, and it’s so adorable to see first hand. We do know that cats who are well-socialized (those who had pleasant experiences with other cats during kittenhood) will likely be more sociable than those who haven't been around many other cats. If you ever feel like your cat is acting strangely, or becoming aggressive, contact your vet right away. This could mean keeping the cats separated from each other while you work on the problem, or at least preventing contact between them during situations likely to trigger a fight. They are simply defending their territory. My other cat Scoots, does not like to be touched, and she will hiss, bite and swat if you touch her. It’s a good idea to spay maternally aggressive cats to prevent future litters and future aggression problems.Play AggressionIt’s common for kittens and youn… On the other hand, "street cats," who are in the habit of fighting with other cats to defend their territory and food, might not do well in a multi-cat household. Then, take the litter box outside and scoop it out there. They will poke, swat, and nudge until they feel satisfied or lose interest in the item. The most common bullying scenarios include: A new cat attacking another cat I'd like to invite you to check out our. Then she may just be playing. It’s just really fun to watch! Her two new kittens had a good time slapping my feet. We all want our pets to be safe and happy. Are her claws extended? They may roll around biting, kicking, swatting or screaming, only to stop suddenly, resume posturing, fight again, or walk away. Feliway MultiCat Calming Diffuser Kit (30 Day Starter Kit), Vet Recommended,... PUPTECK 48 Pack Assorted Color Cat Ball Toy Set - Crinkle Balls, Sparkle Balls,... VAPKER 30 Piece Assorted Color Sparkle Balls Cat's Favorite Toy Tinsel Pom Poms... Interactive Robotic Cat Toys,Automatic Irregular USB Charging 360 Degree Self... Sizing Up: How Big Do Cats Get? Cats are very smart and can easily recognize their surroundings. Cats have the same motivation. Adult male cats may threaten, and sometimes fight with, other males. Your email address will not be published. Youre on the couch, petting your purring cat just like you have on many previous quiet evenings. Problems often occur when a new cat is brought home, a young kitten reaches maturity, or a cat sees or encounters neighborhood cats outside. It can be distressing and stressful for you and your cats if they are hissing at each other behaving aggressively. A high perch, for instance, can be a good place for your cat … This is a good time to intervene and separate the cats. And even cats who have gotten along in the past may sometimes start to rub one another the wrong way. Walking by her, or standing up to walk away, trigger that instinct to chase nearby moving objects, even if it's just for fun. For cats playing consist of biting, scratching, punching, and many other action that seems aggressive for human but actually normal in feline world. My theory is that, while cats rely primarily on vision to identify other cats, smell also plays a big role. Sometimes, within that situation, one of the cats becomes a bully and the other the target. I was feeding him fancy feast tuna and gravy along with dry indoor formula cat food.I have now for two weeks been feeding him Wiskas mosit food along with the dry indoor formula. Your cat doesn't even know who you are at that point—they are so worked up about the cat outside that they are attacking the first thing that crosses their path. A behaviorist will advise you on what can be done. 2 people like this. This is more common among unneutered cats. Because your cat is territorial, it's not uncommon for the addition of a new cat to the household to create some strife. Your older cat is establishing its role as the dominant cat in the household and the kitten is being taught where its boundaries as the new cat are. haha, very funny. Pod-cat aggression occurs when one cat has been out of the house, whether to the veterinarian, groomer, or other destination, and when he returns home, the other cat (s) act aggressively toward him. Sometimes the older cat swats at the younger cat when he is nearby, but, mostly, the younger cat chases the older cat. If they recognize that they are somewhere that makes them uncomfortable, perhaps the veterinarian, the cat may fight to get out. Slapping in this instance is mainly playful, and there should be nothing to be worried about. It may be a good idea to address this behavior right away for the safety of your other cats. Turns out they thought of me as a brand new toy. There are gentle, yet effective, ways to stop this behavior from the start. 7 week old male kitten and 6 year old male cat.. Many factors determine how well cats will get along with one another, but even animal behavior experts don't fully understand them. beautyqueen26. When you are observing playtime, take note of what you have noticed before. One time it took around a month for her to settle down. — so helping you better understand them is my aim. Aggression is the second most common feline behavior problem seen by animal behaviorists. Spaying and neutering can greatly reduce aggression in cats. Cats love attention, and when they want to play, it’s time to play. When a new animal, most notably another cat, is introduced into a household, it turns this hierarchy upside down and creates chaos while everyone reestablishes their place. You love your cat very much but there are probably a few behaviors that leave you scratching your head. But you can help get their relationship back on track. She is a very confident cat, I think she was probably raised badly. It’s hard to say why cats decide to have these altercations. If your cat has suddenly become more aggressive than normal, your first step should always be to contact your veterinarian for a thorough health examination. Consult with your veterinarian about a short course of anti-anxiety medication for your cats while you're working on changing their behaviors. And the cat keeps doing so, eventually getting up from its own sitting spot to make sure the toddler remains safe. The slapped kitty will usually return the favor with a slap back, and the play continues. If a person startles the cat, their first inclination may be slapping them to protect themselves. So let’s get into a few reasons why cats slap each other. What worries me is that if I’m the one next to her and not the other cat, she attacks me, as had happened before. I imagine that since you’re here, you likely own a cat — or two! Give them a friendly reminder that, if the cat slaps them, he means no harm. Punishment or the threat of punishment from a person, An attack or attempted attack from another cat, Any incident that makes the animal feel threatened or afraid, Crouching with the legs and tail pulled in under the body. It doesn't seem like a severe fight, as they just nibble and swat each other, but it always seems to happen during their grooming sessions. When the claws come out, it’s a very short time before they decide to pounce. Illness or infection can cause your cat to act out in strange ways. This is completely normal and as long as it is just hissing and swatting, do your best to not interfere. swat team! The behavior of one intact pet can negatively affect all of your pets. He hisses and swats at the kitten and goes in the other room and wont come out for the day. The same also applies to other pets in the house. This way, your cat won’t feel alarmed, and at the same time, you’re in a safe zone. Slapping can also be their natural way of defending themselves from what they perceive as danger. Sudden changes in behavior, or increased acts of aggression, can be a sign of something wrong. Cats are playful creatures, and they love to swat at their friends, their toys and their owners. In general, it’s not a good idea to startle cat. She turns on her side as you rub her belly, and she kneads her paws in contentment. The gentle slaps on their toys feel good on the pads of their paws making playtime pleasure for your cat. Again, it’s so much fun watching your adorable cat swat at various toys. On the other hand, the cat may swat the object out of curiosity. If you notice any hissing or screeching, they’re probably getting aggressive. After turning back, the cat quickly swats at the boy’s hand causing him to release the railing. Maternal aggression usually subsides once the kittens are weaned. You may watch them play with an object for a really long time. © 2021 The Humane Society of the United States Privacy Policy & Terms. Feeding together, playing together, equal attention, etc. When you hear these sounds, it may be time to break them up. The same way that they will slap other cats in an effort to initiate playtime, they may swat at you to get your attention. If there is no hissing within seven days of your new cat being home, just open the door and permit the cats to explore. What happened to turn your mild-mannered cat into Cujo? Allow the cats to see each other once there has been no hissing for a couple of days. In short, the cat just happened to vent out its anger to you instead of the actual trigger. Defensive aggression occurs when a cat tries to protect himself from an animal or human attacker he believes he can't escape. Even though you may not be able to figure out why your cat displays some odd behaviors doesn’t mean they aren’t functional or serve a very logical purpose. Many times it's the other way around and it can take longer for the new one to be accepted. These stealthy creatures move quick, and if one cat startles the other, it can cause a quick fight. When we, as humans, want to know more about an object, we can often learn about it by playing with it to see how it works.