It is possible to reduce competition and therefore aggression between cats by examining the aspects where the dispute arise. Research indicates that the main causes of continuing disputes between house cats is over access to owners and to areas in the inner home territory. When one cat is stroked or fussed by the owner, the other may feel its ownership of the human is being questioned. ‘Owner scents’ can be detected on the cat even if the activity has not been observed by the bullying cat. The cause of an act of aggression may have its roots in an action between the owner and the cat that occurred in the hours preceding the violence.
An owner who has competing cats in the same home should reduce petting and fussing, and offer enhanced security for the cats by installing extra bolt holes (boxes, igloos), plus more litter trays and scratching posts, to help combat territorial and ownership disputes.
It can be extremely disturbing for owners to see pets fight and aggression is stressful for both the bully and bullied. By becoming more detached from your cats you can help to reduce competition between them, but it does mean a reduction in the contact that is the main purpose of owning companion cats.
6 responses so far ↓
1 Steph // Aug 11, 2007 at 5:58 am
Since i brought my cat home from the Vet yesterday after being spayed, the other cat has turned into a bully!
She’s hissing, baring her teeth and launching herself at the other cat. She actually managed to embed a claw into my finger today, that’s how bad she is.
The other cat can’t defend herself as she is still dopy from the op and has a buster collar on.
What can i do?
2 Stefani // Aug 15, 2007 at 7:49 am
I have three cats at home, A three legged tom cat named Tootsie, and a young fat tabby cat named Tabby and a young boy cat named Emilio Lopezz.
Emilio recently came back from the vets. He had an operation on an infected part of his shoulder from a Whitetip spider bite.
Unfortunately Tabby has taken to hissing at him as soon as she sees him and meanly trying to swipe at him. Nither of them are indoor cats and I try to pay the same amount of attention to them, but as I have studies, a new job with odd times, and my own life to run I don’t get that much time to spend with them. I have no idea why she’s doing this or how I can stop it.
Please help
A confused kitty lover.
3 CJM // Aug 16, 2007 at 8:52 pm
We have two cats. It seems that when the less dominant cat gets anything (i.e. the top level of the scratch post, a spot on the couch or queen size bed! or even attention from us the other one wants it. He bullies his way in often pushing the other cat out of the way. Its very sad……please help.
p.s. adding scratch posts won’t help we have two regular sized and two large house type posts.
4 Harriet Joubert // Jun 14, 2008 at 9:04 pm
I have resently brought a 18 month Ragdoll male home and he is very aggressive towards my female that is not a raggdoll, how can I get them to get along together? They are both desexed and if he sees her he chases her and is very agressive?
5 Maggie // Aug 6, 2008 at 6:29 am
I would like to know more information about cat’s behavior and how to treat them the best way.
I have 2 cats Sunny and Funny they are twins about 3-4 years they are both neutralized and Funny is deaf .Is there any information I should know concerning their case?
Please help!
Thanks for that website it really helped me alot.
6 Maggie // Aug 6, 2008 at 6:36 am
I would like to tell something to Stefani who left the respnse on Aug 15, 2007 at 7:49 am about Tabby and Emilio it really happened to my cats twice when my cat Funny had to take antibiotics when she was sick and Sunny her twin acted as if not knowing her I think that was because the smell of Funny changes when she takes medecins
it will take some time and they will get back to normal soon.
Wish you luck!
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