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Plus, how to recognize and break up a catfight
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Play aggression or mock fighting is a normal part of cat behavior. However, it can be hard to tell at times if your cats are playing or fighting—and one can switch to the other in an instant. By observing your cats’ body language closely, as well as the nature of their interaction, you’ll be able to determine if they’re playing or fighting and break up any fights swiftly and safely. We’ll give you a complete guide to how cats behave when they fight and what next steps to take when they do.
Cats Fighting vs. Play-Fighting
Signs of cat fighting include tense body language, raised hair, a tail low to the ground, and hissing. Cats that are just play-fighting will keep their bodies relaxed, their claws retracted, and their tails up. They'll also take turns and only vocalize if they want to meow or trill happily.
Steps
Section 1 of 4:
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Tense body language indicates fighting. Cats that are engaged in a mock fight usually keep their bodies relaxed—they may roll around on the ground or position their bodies forward. If your cats seem more rigid and are leaning backward as they swipe at each other, they may be fighting. [1] X Trustworthy Source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Leading organization dedicated to the prevention of animal cruelty Go to source
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Puffed-up hair can signal a fight. Cats that are engaged in a real fight will have their hair standing on end. They do this to make themselves look bigger. Therefore, if you see puffed-up hair on your cats’ tail, body, or both, then they are more likely to be fighting than playing with each other. [2] X Research sourceAdvertisement
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Ears turned back or flat on their head indicate a fight. During a mock fight, cats usually have their ears positioned forward or upright or only slightly backward. On the other hand, if you see their ears turned back or positioned back against their head, then it is highly likely that your cats are fighting. [3] X Trustworthy Source The Humane Society of the United States National organization devoted to the promotion of animal welfare Go to source
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Growling or hissing are signs of a fight. When playing, cats may produce cheerful chirping or trilling noises (or no noise at all). If your cats are making any hissing, growling, or yowling noises, then your cats are probably fighting. [4] X Trustworthy Source The Humane Society of the United States National organization devoted to the promotion of animal welfare Go to source
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Biting to cause harm usually indicates a fight. During a play session, biting is often minimal and does not cause any harm. However, if you notice one cat biting the other in order to cause harm, then your cats are probably fighting instead of playing. [5] X Trustworthy Source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Leading organization dedicated to the prevention of animal cruelty Go to source
- For example, if one of the cats yelps out in pain and hisses or growls, then your cats may be engaged in a fight.
- Usually, when cats play, they alternate biting one another. If one cat is frequently biting another cat who is trying to get away, it is unlikely that they are playing.
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A cat with its claws out could signal a fight. Cats that are playing typically have their claws sheathed or retracted most of the time. If they are unsheathed, they will not use them to hurt the other cat intentionally. On the other hand, if you see the cats using their claws to cause damage or hurt the other cat, then it is highly likely that your cats are fighting. [6] X Trustworthy Source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Leading organization dedicated to the prevention of animal cruelty Go to source
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A cat with its tail low to the ground may be fighting. When playing, cats usually hold their tails high and twitch them back and forth, indicating excitement and playfulness. If their tail is held low to the ground or lashing back and forth, this may be a sign of hostility, aggression, and fear. [7] X Research source
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A lack of turn-taking points to fighting. During a mock fight, cats will typically take turns being more of the aggressor or the “chaser.” In other words, both cats should spend an equal amount of time initiating the play, and one single cat shouldn’t appear dominant. [8] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
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A fast pace could signal a fight. Cats that are play fighting will stop and start many times, enabling them to take a break and change positions. On the other hand, cats that are fighting move at a fast pace and do not stop until one of them wins. [9] X Research source
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Cats that avoid each other after an interaction may have been fighting. If you are still unsure if your cats are playing or fighting, observe their behavior afterward. Cats that are fighting will avoid each other afterward, or at least one will avoid the other. [10] X Trustworthy Source HelpGuide Nonprofit organization dedicated to providing free, evidence-based mental health and wellness resources. Go to source
- Cats that have been playing will act friendly toward each other and resume their normal behavior afterward. They may even nap or lie down near one another.
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Cats that display negative behavior toward each other are more likely to fight. If cats generally share positive social behaviors in their daily life, then it’s more likely that they’re playing. For example, they may frequently meet with their tails up, cuddle up together, or groom each other’s bodies and faces. [11] X Research source
- On the other hand, it’s more likely that your cats will fight each other if they display negative behaviors like blocking access to rooms or resources, hissing or swiping at each other, or staring at each other confrontationally.
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Section 2 of 4:
What to Do If Your Cats Are Fighting
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Interrupt your cats with a loud noise or by throwing a towel onto them. Look for something that will distract your cats and divert their focus away from the fight. Slam a door, clap your hands, yell, blow a whistle, or bang pots together to create a loud noise. Or, throw a small towel or blanket on top of both of the cats to slow down the fight. [12] X Trustworthy Source American Kennel Club The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show. Go to source
- Never use your hands or any other body parts to stop a catfight. You can easily get injured and potentially require urgent medical attention.
- Avoid using noise deterrents, spray bottles, or water guns to break up a fight between your cats. These methods can be frightening for cats, especially if they already have an anxious or nervous personality.
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Separate the cats by placing a physical barrier between them. Place a baby gate, cushion, piece of cardboard, or other barrier-like objects in between the cats to obstruct their view of each other. Once they stop fighting, place them in separate rooms to cool off and prevent further escalation. [13] X Research source
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Don’t punish your cat for the fight. It’s normal to jump into disciplinary mode when your adrenaline is heightened after a catfight. However, remember that cats don’t respond to punishment in the same way dogs do. Punishing your cat is more harmful to them than helpful and may even cause them to become extremely fearful of people (including you). [14] X Research source
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Provide separate resources for your cats in the future. Make sure that each of your cats has its own sleeping quarters, food bowls, water bowls, and litter boxes. Giving each cat its own space can help prevent rivalries and lessen the chance of future fights that may arise over resource conflicts. [15] X Research source
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Reintroduce your cats to each other as if it’s the first time. You only need to take this step if fights become a habitual issue in your home. If your cats can’t seem to stop fighting with each other, keep them separate for a while before reintroducing them like you would with two new cats. Keep your cats in separate rooms and feed them at the same time on different sides of a closed door. [16] X Research source
- Once a day, swap their blankets so that they get used to each other’s scents.
- When they seem comfortable with this setup, let them see each other through a screen or gate and watch how they interact.
- Then, slowly allow them to have supervised visits together until they seem completely comfortable (or at least will tolerate each other).
- This process may take weeks or more, so be patient and don’t rush your cats.
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Section 3 of 4:
How to Prevent Future Fights Between Your Cats
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Provide plenty of activities and resources for both cats. Give each cat its own litter box, food and water bowls, sleeping area, perches, and toys in different areas of the house. Engage them both in individual play time catered to their needs and energy level—if you have a more enthusiastic cat that gets on another’s nerves, try to put more energy into wearing out that cat. [17] X Research source
- You can even try clicker training to give them a mental workout or take them on walks with a cat harness and leash .
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Reinforce friendly, playful reactions. When your cats do interact in a friendly manner, use positive reinforcement to keep encouraging healthy play. Give them praise, cuddles, and treats when they’re getting along and play-fighting in a productive way. [18] X Research source
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Use pheromone diffusers made for cats. Cat comfort diffusers emit odorless vapors that mimic a cat’s pheromones. They work to calm down your cat by signaling to them that everything is safe in their environment. Therefore, these diffusers may help create a happier atmosphere between two cats that have a lot of tension. [19] X Research source
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Get your cats neutered or spayed. Neutering or spaying your cats may help reduce fighting between them. Certain aggressive behaviors are more common in cats that haven’t been spayed or neutered, specifically for males. If either of your cats hasn’t undergone this procedure yet, take them to your veterinarian to discuss potential options. [20] X Trustworthy Source The Humane Society of the United States National organization devoted to the promotion of animal welfare Go to source
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Expert Q&A
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QuestionWhat does it mean when a cat hisses at you?Ryan Corrigan is a Licensed Veterinary Technician in California. She received her Bachelor of Science in Veterinary Technology from Purdue University in 2010. She is also a Member of the Academy of Equine Veterinary Nursing Technicians since 2011.Typically cats will hiss when they are either afraid or warning you to back off. To interpret a hiss look towards the other body language signs being presented.
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QuestionWhy do cats bite when you play with them?Ryan Corrigan is a Licensed Veterinary Technician in California. She received her Bachelor of Science in Veterinary Technology from Purdue University in 2010. She is also a Member of the Academy of Equine Veterinary Nursing Technicians since 2011.This is a natural communication among cats and it is part of the way they play together.
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QuestionDo cats play?Ryan Corrigan is a Licensed Veterinary Technician in California. She received her Bachelor of Science in Veterinary Technology from Purdue University in 2010. She is also a Member of the Academy of Equine Veterinary Nursing Technicians since 2011.Yes, many cats love to play and will play on their own when toys are offered.
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Tips
- Cats that are unfamiliar with each other or who have had a hostile interaction with each other previously are more likely to fight.Thanks
- If you’re considering getting a new cat, keep in mind the personality of your present cat. If your current cat is particularly territorial or hostile, be prepared for potential conflict after a new adoption.Thanks
- If you still can’t tell whether your cats are playing or fighting, take a video of their interaction and show it to your veterinarian for their expert input.Thanks
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References
- ↑ https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/cat-care/common-cat-behavior-issues/aggression-between-cats-your-household
- ↑ https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/cornell-feline-health-center/health-information/feline-health-topics/feline-behavior-problems-aggression
- ↑ https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/understanding-feline-language
- ↑ https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/understanding-feline-language
- ↑ https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/cat-care/common-cat-behavior-issues/aggression-between-cats-your-household
- ↑ https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/cat-care/common-cat-behavior-issues/aggression-between-cats-your-household
- ↑ https://www.petmd.com/cat/behavior/cat-tail-language
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8044293/
- ↑ https://www.cats.org.uk/help-and-advice/cat-behaviour/cats-and-fighting
- ↑ https://www.helpguide.org/articles/mental-health/mood-boosting-power-of-dogs.htm
- ↑ https://www.bps.org.uk/psychologist/how-train-cat
- ↑ https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/training/are-they-playing-or-fighting/
- ↑ https://www.cats.org.uk/help-and-advice/cat-behaviour/cats-and-fighting
- ↑ https://www.mspca.org/pet_resources/correcting-unwanted-cat-behavior/
- ↑ https://www.aaha.org/resources/how-can-i-fix-my-cats-behavior-problems/
- ↑ https://www.americanhumane.org/fact-sheet/introducing-cats-to-cats/
- ↑ https://www.cats.org.uk/help-and-advice/cat-behaviour/cats-and-fighting
- ↑ https://www.hshv.org/training-cats-with-positive-reinforcement/
- ↑ https://www.cats.org.uk/help-and-advice/cat-behaviour/cats-and-fighting
- ↑ https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/why-you-should-spayneuter-your-pet
- ↑ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29706092/
- ↑ https://northhamptonvets.com/cat-keeps-play-fighting/
- ↑ https://unionlakeveterinaryhospital.com/blog/hissy-fit-are-my-cats-playing-or-fighting
About This Article
Article Summary
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To tell if cats are playing or fighting, listen for aggressive sounds, like hissing or growling, which cats only make in a fight. Also, look to see if their ears are pointed backward and are flattened down on their head. If they are flat, they could be fighting, but if their ears point up, it's probably just playing. Cats will often use their paws to bat each other when playing, but if their claws are out it’s likely a fight. Furthermore, notice biting habits to see if one is biting the other more often, which can indicate aggression. For more tips from our Veterinary reviewer, like how to break up a fight between 2 cats, read on!
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- "I have two cats. They have been living together for four years now, but I wasn't sure they were playing all along or fighting. Now I could identify with the help of this article that most of time they were playing. It's really good to know." ..." more
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"I have two cats. They have been living together for four years now, but I wasn't sure they were playing all along or fighting. Now I could identify with the help of this article that most of time they were playing. It's really good to know."
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"Wasn't sure if my 13-year-old and 1-year-old cats were play fighting or not. Seems all the play descriptions you mention fit their actions. I will keep an eye out, but feel assured all is well. Thanks."
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