7 Tips to Stop Cats Fighting

Is your household peace regularly shattered by kitty battles, scraps and spats?

Sometimes our furry darlings just don't see nose to nose! And while it's normal for your pets to have the occasional disagreement, it's important to try to intervene in regular cat conflict to stop problems from escalating.

Luckily, there are lots of ways to encourage our pets to be friends rather than foes, or at least be civil kitties - keep in mind that some cats can want to be solitary and may never want to be as sociable, as we want them to be, with other furry friends!

7 WAYS TO how to get cats to get along

The best way to get your cats to get along together, is to identify the cause! If you're not sure why your pets are in disagreement, the first thing to do is observe them and look for triggers of unwanted behaviour throughout the day:

• Do your pets argue most at mealtimes, or near food and water resources?
• Are they in conflict around playtimes? Do they fight for your attention?
• Are kitty scraps due to a lack of individual space or hiding places?

Once you identify the causes of kitty friction, you can start to limit conflict. However, if you're still not sure why your cats are not getting along, start to think about common triggers such as territory, resources, over excitement - and illness if they seem to be acting out of character.

Disagreements over space and territory are very common with our kitties! If there aren't enough hiding, climbing, sleeping and perching spaces for each of your individual cats, you may see conflict over territory.

Make sure your pets have enough individual space that they can escape to; sharing space too closely with other kitties can cause stress, particularly if they want to avoid conflicts.

3. Increase Kitty Resources

Just like territory conflicts, a lack of individual resources such as food and water bowls, scratching posts and litter trays can cause cats not to get along.

Aim to have one of each resource (plus one extra) for each kitty in the house, and check that each is easily accessible.

4. Rewards and Attention

Make sure you give attention or treats to your cats when they are calm. This helps reinforce calm behaviours. You can always try to redirect aggressive behaviour before it escalates with a distraction such as a toy or a really great tasting treat.

If food isn't the cause of conflict, mealtimes can be a good time for your cats to adjust to each other's presence in a positive way. Be sure to reward your kitties for staying calm and being non-aggressive when close together!

Daily one-on-one play with your pets can also limit aggressive competition for your attention - and help your cats to burn off any extra energy!

5. Rewind, and Control Introductions

Sometimes bad habits are hard to break! For cats who have been not been getting along for a long time, it can be tough to change behaviours.

In this situation it often helps to go back to basics. Imagine you have just introduced your cats for the first time. Often one cat will tend to initiate conflict situations. So, start by moving the initiator cat to a 'safe space' in the house, limiting them to this room, and follow steps to gradually and calmly introduce your cats to each other as though they were strangers.

It is wise to separate your cats if they are causing injury to each other, particularly if one or both cats are becoming ill due to stress, or if you start to see hiding and avoidance behaviour.

Then, re-introduce your cats through controlled meetings. Visual-only introductions, placing barriers to prevent kitty aggression, and treats and encouragement for calm behaviour can help them learn to get along.

6. Check with the vet

Nobody knows your cats as well as you! So if your normally calm and peaceful pets have started to fight, it's wise to check with your vet that nothing is wrong - sometimes aggressive behaviour can be a sign that a kitty isn't feeling well!

7. Try FELIWAY Friends

Creating a harmonious environment in your home should encourage your cats to act kindly towards each other! FELIWAY Friends Diffuser can help to reduce conflict between cats living together, and limit signs such as blocking, staring and chasing. Clinically proven, and veterinary recommended to help cats get along better at home, FELIWAY Friends can keep your cats in constant harmony.

To see more read our article on tips to help cats get along.

Lastly, whatever solutions you choose, be sure to give your kitties time! It may take a while for your cats to respond, and change their catty attitudes!