• 435-644-2001 • www.bestfriends.org
Aggression Toward Other Cats
By Sheila Segurson, DVM
If several of your cats suddenly start
fi ghting when they previously lived
together without altercations, the
fi rst step is to take them both to your
veterinarian for medical evaluation.
Medical problems can cause a cat
to be in pain, grouchy or confused,
which increases the likelihood for
aggressive behavior. If a medical
evaluation reveals no abnormalities,
the following recommendations
may help your cats to resolve their
differences. These recommendations
will also be helpful for cats who have been introduced to each other recently and are not
getting along.
Separating the Cats
The fi rst step is to separate the cats from each other completely – in separate areas of
the house. Do not allow them to paw at or smell each other through a door. If they must
be in adjoining rooms, place a barrier at the bottom of the door. Ideally, though, you
should confi ne them in separate parts of the house where there is no opportunity for
contact. Provide each cat with food, water, a litter box, a comfortable place to sleep, and
regular interaction with you (playing and/or petting). It is very important to make certain
that you are providing each cat with enough exercise and playful interaction. Oftentimes,
fi ghts occur when one cat wants to play and the other cat doesn’t. Providing the playful
cat with enough exercise can eliminate the problem.
Recognizing the “Triggers”
Next, think about the “triggers” that might be causing the fi ghts. For example, your cats
may fi ght when both want attention from you, or they may fi ght over preferred resting
places, or they may fi ght when they see another cat outdoors.
Before you reintroduce the cats (see below), create a plan for how to minimize the
triggers that cause fi ghting. If the cats primarily fi ght over resources, such as access
to food or resting places, provide them with abundant resources. Since a cat will fi nd
it much more diffi cult to guard four foo