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Managing and Mitigating Aggression: Protocol for Dealing with Conflict Between Cohabiting Cats

Caroline Clark Qualified Clinical Animal Behaviourist and Veterinary Nurse
12/09/2024
  • When aggressive outbursts occur between familiar cats, distract them as soon as possible.
  • Never lift them up when they are behaviourally aroused as this might lead to redirected aggression, causing serious injuries.
  • Avoid using anything with a shrill noise as this can frighten and startle them which may compound the problem. Toys with bells rolled across the floor are ideal.
  • For mild altercations (hissing, spitting), it’s usual for cats to disperse to different locations. With a little time, most usually simmer without any real issues.
  • For a moderate altercation (hissing, spitting and swiping) separate the cats immediately, placing them in familiar locations with their own set of key resources.
  • Allow the cats to recover and calm down.
  • Synthetic pheromones containing the Cat Appeasing Pheromone have been shown to reduce cohabitation problems so using this in the environment may be helpful.
  • During this time caregivers should operate a time-sharing policy in the hub of the home as confinement for lengthy periods might trigger stress.
  • Before reintroductions, the cats must be showing signs of relaxation and freedom from stress.
  • Reintroduce the cats, following the steps in Introducing New Cats to a Home with a Resident Cat (https://petcourses.co.uk/free-resources/introducing-new-cats-to-a-home-with-a-resident-cats).
  • The aim is to proceed with gradual, positive introductions.
  • For repeated problems or more serious conflict (fighting) keep them separated and seek professional advice from a suitably qualified feline behaviourist.
Caroline Clark
Caroline has a long and varied career working with companion animals. After many years working as a veterinary nurse she attended teacher training college and pursued a career in education - teaching veterinary nursing and other animal related subjects. Caroline's interest in behaviour led her to Southampton University where she gained a post graduate diploma in companion animal behaviour counselling and, after qualifying in 2006, she opened her own behaviour referral clinic in Yorkshire . She is a full member of the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors (APBC) and is one of only a relatively small number of specialists to have achieved the status of Registered Clinical Animal Behaviourist (CAB) with the Animal Behaviour Training Council. (ABTC). Caroline is the author of two books: Fear and Anxiety in Dogs, published by Crowood Press and A Professional's Guide to Feline Behaviour, published by CRC Press. Caroline has also written several articles for veterinary journals, is a public speaker and has appeared as the animal specialist on the 20 part, Channel Four TV series, ‘Embarrassing Pets’ which is still aired worldwide.