Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 3: Observe Body Language
• Method 2 of 3: Causes, Course, and Consequences of Fighting
• Method 3 of 3: How to Stop a Fight
• Tips

Aggression and playful fights are common behaviors in cats. However, it is sometimes difficult to know whether cats are playing or fighting. To properly understand the behavior of cats, you need to closely monitor the body language of these animals. In addition, you need to track the reasons and the course of the fight. During play, cats usually switch roles. If your cats do fight, you can separate them with a loud loud sound or a physical barrier between them.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: Observe Body Language

1. 1 Pay attention to hiss and growls. In most cases, cats that play do not make these sounds. If there are sounds, you are more likely to hear meows than growls or hiss.
   • If you hear constant growling or hissing, then cats can fight in earnest.
2. 2 Look at the ears of the cats. During a "training" scuffle, cats' ears are usually directed forward or upward, and sometimes also a little backward.If the ears of cats are pressed to the head or directed back, then there is a high probability that you are watching a real fight.
3. 3 Look at the claws. Cats that play do not release their claws, and if the claws are visible, then they are not used to deliberately injure the enemy. On the contrary, if you see cats purposefully using claws as a weapon, it is most likely a fight.
4. 4 Watch how cats bite each other. During play, the bites are light and do little harm. If one cat bites another to harm, they are most likely fighting.
   • For example, if one of the cats screams in pain and hisses (or growls), then it looks like a fight.
   • Usually, cats bite each other alternately during play. If one cat often bites another, which is trying to escape, then this is no longer like a game.
5. 5 Take a closer look at the body position of the cats. Playing cats usually lean forward towards each other. Conversely, when cats fight, they lean back in preparation to strike.
6. 6 Look at the fur of the cats. The fur of the fighting cats stands on end, so they try to look bigger in the eyes of the enemy. If you see that the hair on the tail and / or body of cats is heaving, then they are fighting rather than playing.

Method 2 of 3: Causes, Course, and Consequences of Fighting

1. 1 See if cats switch roles. During the game, cats change the roles of hunter and prey. In other words, they spend equal time both as a victim and as a hunter.
   • If cats are chasing each other, the same rule applies to this type of game. They should take turns chasing each other, and not so that one animal runs away all the time, and the second chases it.
2. 2 Observe the pace of the fight. Cats that are just playing will stop and then resume the fight. So they can take a break and switch roles. If the cats fight seriously, everything happens very quickly, the fight does not stop until someone wins.
3. 3 Observe the behavior of cats after a fight. If you still can't tell if your pets are playing or fighting, watch them after the active phase. Fighting cats will avoid each other after a fight - at least one will avoid the other.
   • After the game, cats continue friendly interaction, behave as usual. They can even go to bed next to them.

Method 3 of 3: How to Stop a Fight

1. 1 Make a loud, harsh sound. Briskly slam the door, clap your hands, shout, whistle, or bang the pot on the pot. Loud noise can distract cats and make them stop fighting.
2. 2 Create a barrier between animals. The physical barrier is very effective as it prevents cats from seeing each other. Place a pillow, cardboard, or other large enough object between the fighters so that they lose sight of each other. Once the fight is over, move the cats to different rooms to calm them down.
   • You may need to re-introduce cats so that they can get along with each other.
   • A very useful object for such cases is the barrier for children. This will help the cats get used to each other, they will be able to communicate, but they will not be able to harm each other.
3. 3 Do not use your bare hands to separate cats during a fight. If you intervene with your hands, you may be scratched or bitten. One of the cats (or even both animals) can jump in your face.
   • In addition, one of the cats may switch their aggression towards you. As a result, your pet's attitude towards you may change even after the fight ends.
   • If a cat has bitten you, you need to urgently go to the hospital for help. Cats' saliva can contain bacteria that cause pasteurellosis, and after a bite, connective tissues can become inflamed. It is best to treat these consequences early.
4. 4 Prevent future fights. To do this, you need to do everything possible so that cats do not have to fight each other for resources.Each animal in your house should have its own tray, its own bowl for food, its own sleeping place, its own elevated place and its toys in different parts of the house. In addition, neutering and neutering cats and cats will help reduce tension and the likelihood of fights between them.
   • Praise the cats and / or give them treats for their friendly behavior.

Tips

• The likelihood of fights is higher in cats that do not yet know each other, as well as in animals between which conflicts have occurred in the past.