Are your cats fighting or playing? Keep the peace with our tips
For cats, play-fighting is a great way to expel energy and socialise, but when do romps turn into rage? Watch for the signs below to keep the kitty peace.
We all know how cats can be: chaos and mischief are an essential part of daily life. Having multiple cats can be a relief, as they can play together and (hopefully) not take out their energy on your favourite belongings. Play-fighting is therefore a normal and important part of kittycat socialising and fun, but how far is too far? Read on to find out what the warning signs of actual fighting and anger are, what you can do to help, and how to keep the peace between your best furry felines.
Here are the first signs that playtime is over, and your cats are ready to step into the ring.
Body Language
It can be so difficult to tell the difference between fighting and play-fighting because what may seem aggressive to us, may actually just be healthy expressions of energy and instinct. However, there are some signs to indicate higher levels of tension and anger. If cats are fighting with retracted claws and gentle bites, they are most likely just having fun and not trying to hurt each other. If you notice claws-out swipes or intense biting, this will indicate more aggression from your kitties. Cats that are playing may also have more relaxed posture, and will switch positions of dominance between each other, with cats chasing and pouncing on each other equally. Cats that are fighting will be more likely to have rigid body language, flattened ears (airplane ears), and swiping tails. They may also be slower and more careful with their movements before striking, and be focussed on keeping dominance in the brawl. For more information on cat body language, check out our article on what your cat is trying to tell you.
These physical indicators are often accompanied by vocal cues that indicate play has switched into something more serious. Here's what you should be listening out for.
Vocalisation
Cats that are having a ball with each other will usually be pretty quiet, and not make much noise as they are scrapping. This is very normal, as cats usually have no need to communicate vocally to each other unless they're trying to show discontent. They may chirrup and chat to each other, especially if they are kittens, as this is a noise often associated with playing and communication, so can be a verbal expression of their excitement or intentions. However, clear signs of aggression are often displayed vocally, so keep an ear out for growling, yowling, or hissing. You will especially hear this when cats are keeping their distance, and telling the other to back off or else they'll strike. If you hear loud and high pitched yowling as they are fighting, this is a clear sign that it has turned nasty, and they may be in danger of hurting each other as they defend their territory. Learn more about cat vocalisations by reading about why cats hiss.
So now you know what your looking and listening for, why do cats fight?
Why Are They Fighting?
There are many reasons why cats might be fighting, and even cats that have been friends previously may want to square-up every now and again. The most common reasons that cats fight is because they feel threatened, and want to defend themselves and their territory. This is why most cats will raise their hackles and yowl if they see other cats outside, or through windows, as their instinct is to defend their kingdom. It's also why it is so important to take your time when introducing new cats to your household, as most kitties will have their instincts triggered by a new feline in their space (learn more about introducing new cats here). Even cats that are used to being together, or are even best buds, may feel threatened every now and again, and may feel the need to assert their dominance in their space. This can be due to changes in the home, familiar cats smelling or seeming different (this is common after vet visits), redirected aggression, or coming home after being away themselves.
It's all well and good being able to recognise aggression, but it's just as important to know how to help. Don't worry, we're here to help.
Breaking it Up
Knowing when to step in, and when to stay out of it, can be a tough call to make, so here's our best advice for judging a situation and helping the best you can. If your cats are showing signs or aggression and fighting towards each other, it's clear they need time apart. Try separating your cats for a while until they cool down and can be friends again. Make sure you're not in danger if doing so, as they may redirect anger towards you. Keep yourself safe, and wear gloves and layers if necessary. You can also interrupt their focus on each other with loud claps or whistling to redirect their attention. If they are repeatedly trying to attack each other, assess what may have changed to be causing this behaviour. For example, is there an external reason for aggression? If so, try your best to remove the stressor to keep your kitties happy. These can be simple things, such as allowing one cat to settle in and smell like home again in a separate space if they've been away, quieting noisy sounds or separating cats until can be quiet again, or allowing a cat that is stressed from illness, time, space, and lots of cuddles, to feel comfortable before socialising again.
Now that your pussycats are a little more peaceful, you can keep your kitty kingdom calm, and help your cats only fight for fun.
Making your home a sanctuary for your cats is the best way to encourage less tension between them. This can come from creating areas where they can be totally alone, such as comfy dens and high-up hideaways. Using a pheromone diffuser can also naturally calm pets, with there even being specific diffusers for multiple pet households. Making sure your cat has plenty to play with also means they can express their instincts more readily, instead of their energy being pent up and exploding in aggressive manners. Using toys to distract cats when they just start to show aggressive signs can also redirect their energy to more playful activities. Keeping your cats well-fed also helps them feel safe and relaxed, and cats that are comfortable eating together is usually a good sign that they trust each another enough to keep their guards down. As such, there's nothing like a delicious Tilly & Ted meal to keep the peace. We recommend serving up a portion of our Chicken with Beef Chunks or Chicken Mousse for a yummy and satisfying meal that's bound to keep tummies happy and friendships strong.
If you want to find the purr-fect meal to treat your kitties to, check out our full range of cat food to find whisker-licking goodness for cats of every shape and size. From chicken-free recipes, to hearty classics, we guarantee your pussycats will be feeling paw-some and have the happiest tummies around.
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