OkcPets Magazine July 2023

July / August 2023 • OKC Pets 27 T ail thumping. The low, purring growl and whine. The flick of the tail, stalking, arched back, puffed-up fur, and the staring. Oh, my, the staring! And the battle begins, much like a turf-war scene from West Side Story. We had many cats when we were grow- ing up, and they mostly played and got along great. But as a young girl, I quickly learned when our cats meant business, with lots of swatting, hissing, and fur flying through the air. Those battlefield events can be very frustrating and confus- ing. Cat fights can result in severe injuries and even death. Aggression in cats is expressed through a range of go-away behaviors to create fear or threaten the other cat. A cat is attempting to increase the distance between itself and the perceived threat. Most aggression in cats is behavior used for self-defense. There is a level of fear and protecting of resourc- es, territories, and offspring. Learn To Identify Aggressive Behavior Cat owners often don’t recognize that their cats aren’t getting along because the signs can be very subtle. There can be a pattern of intimidation such as guarding the path to the litter box or nosing around the other cat’s food bowl. If you notice those pat- terns, there might be more stress between your cats than you thought. There are many types of feline aggres- sion. We will look at intercat aggression in the home. It is a common occurrence, often based on conflict in cats’ complicated social relationships or hierarchies. This type of aggression is rarely caused by the cat’s gender. Social maturity occurs between two and four years of age, and cats might begin to challenge each other. Often, one cat will not accept or cooperate with the lack of engagement of another cat. Cats consid- ering themselves equals are less likely to participate in active aggression but will exhibit passive aggression such as staring or posturing. Intercat aggression is a complex and often subtle problem. Cats have their own set of social rules. If a cat stares at another cat and it then leaves the area, it would be abnormal for the star- ing cat to stalk the cat that left. And cer- tainly, if the staring cat becomes actively aggressive, that would indicate a problem (hissing, swatting, marking, biting). Because of the subtleness of cat behavior, we cannot compare cat fights with dog fights. In addition, most intercat aggression occurs between roommates and is more common among opposite sexes. That is not the same as interdog aggression. A cat will challenge the other cat by vocalizing, staring, or jumping right into aggression. Staring can escalate quickly to aggression. The longer owners wait to intervene, allow- ing the problem to fester, the more difficult the problems will be to modify. Get to the Root of the Problem To correct aggression between cats, you must get to the root of what is causing it. If the behavior is uncharacteristic or has a sudden onset, schedule a veterinary visit to rule out or identify a medical cause. That is a step you should not skip because pain can lead to a variety of behavior issues. Some detective work is needed to assim- ilate exactly what is causing all the fuss. Observing your cats from an unbiased viewpoint can help you determine which cat is the problem cat and which one is be- having normally. Videotape is a great tool to help you observe. Redirected aggression can be a possible cause. An unfamiliar cat or other animal could be outside, and one cat might turn on his companion cat in response. Cats have relationships with other cats. When a relationship becomes tense but has not reached a dangerous level, it is import- ant to begin a treatment plan to help the cats feel more at ease with each other. Treat Aggression Safely Treatment of intercat aggression must al- ways begin by creating a safe environment for all. Punishing the cats for reacting to each other will only make matters worse. Reinforcement (play, treats, praise, attention) should be given to the cat that is behaving the most appropriately. Changes in the environment and creating positive associations are key. Here are some safety specifics regarding treatment of intercat aggression so that cats do not suffer physical and behavioral injuries: Never physically punish the cats. That will only increase their distress and fear What To Do When Your Cats Turn on Each Other Karen Dugan Holman, B.S., B.S.E., M.S.